Paid Media Director

About the role

Director of Paid Media at Marketwake

Position Overview

Marketwake is seeking a seasoned and strategic leader to direct the performance and evolution of our paid media capabilities. The Director of Paid Media will own the full scope of our department, ensuring team cohesion, driving measurable growth, and delivering high-impact results for our clients. This is a hybrid position that demands strategic oversight, active team mentorship, and direct involvement in campaign execution. The role reports directly to the VP of Marketing and requires close collaboration with Account Management, Creative, and Analytics to achieve outstanding client outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a dual threat: a strategic architect and a tactical operator with a passion for developing high-performing teams. Expertise across Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and emerging platforms is essential. This position is for a leader who balances big-picture thinking with detailed execution and inspires success through teaching and accountability.

Core Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

You will define and execute the vision for Marketwake's paid media department. This involves leading, coaching, and developing a team of Paid Media Managers and Channel Leads. Your focus will be building a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and performance. You will partner with agency leadership to set annual and quarterly goals for revenue, retention, and team development. You will also play a key role in recruitment, onboarding, and performance management to build a scalable, high-functioning department.

Client Strategy and Oversight

You will serve as the senior strategic lead for key accounts, creating holistic paid media strategies that align with broader business goals. You will lead and contribute to client presentations and check-ins, positioning yourself as a trusted paid media expert. You will ensure that all paid media activities, across search, social, and other channels, are data-driven and of the highest quality.

Hands-On Execution

This role includes a commitment to platform work and "hands-on" involvement, especially during critical moments such as new business launches or high-stakes campaigns. You will provide expert guidance on campaign architecture, budget distribution, creative testing, and data interpretation. You will also support the adoption of new tools, processes, and beta opportunities to ensure our service offering remains at the forefront of the industry.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

You will work closely with Account Management, Creative, and Strategy teams to develop integrated strategies that deliver clear ROI. You will lead cross-functional initiatives such as brainstorms and campaign audits, ensuring that media strategy is perfectly aligned with messaging and creative execution.

Essential Attributes

You are a visionary leader with strong business sense and high emotional intelligence. You are a skilled problem-solver who can navigate complexity without losing sight of execution. You are passionate about mentoring and investing in the success of your team. You are adaptable, resilient, and comfortable leading in a fast-paced agency environment. You communicate with confidence and maintain a client-first mindset. You are tech-curious and enthusiastic about new platforms and marketing technology. You approach leadership with positivity, grit, and a healthy sense of humor.

Required Skills and Experience

You must have extensive, hands-on experience managing large-scale Google Ads and Meta Ads Manager campaigns. You must also be proficient in LinkedIn and Microsoft Ads, with familiarity with TikTok and programmatic advertising. You must have 3-5 years of experience managing teams and client portfolios in fast-paced agency settings. You must be highly skilled in using Looker Studio, Google Analytics 4, and Google Tag Manager for reporting and tracking. You must demonstrate mastery in forecasting, budget oversight, and clear stakeholder communication. You must thrive in a fast-moving environment while maintaining strict standards for quality and compliance.

Compensation and Location

This role is based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is a hybrid position with a competitive annual salary of $130,000.00.

Nice to Have

Experience guiding beta features and testing opportunities on emerging platforms.

Application Details

Please What you'll do

• Meet the bar Practical notes