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Search Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As Director, Search, you manage search performance for a set of accounts within a larger portfolio. You execute paid search strategy in daily account management, contribute to cross-channel planning ...

New

Gather data on consumer, competitor, and market conditions Requirements Requirements * 5+ years of performance marketing experience required, specifically an emphasis on paid search * Experience in ...

As Director, Search, you manage search performance for a set of accounts within a larger portfolio. You execute paid search strategy in daily account management, contribute to cross-channel planning ...

New

Director, Paid Search Mediassociates • Sandy Hook, CT • Full-time About us Mediassociates is an award-winning independent media planning, buying, and analytics agency in the greater NYC area. We ...

As a Director, Paid Search , you will lead a portfolio of clients and be a senior, day-to-day owner of the client relationship and growth agenda in partnership with the Senior Client Partner and Pod ...

JOB SUMMARY: We're looking for a data-driven, strategic, and hands on Director of Paid Search to lead Fusion92's Paid Search team across a portfolio of dynamic, performance-focused clients. In this ...

Sr. Director, Paid Search

New York, NY · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

The Sr. Director will drive strategy, innovation, and performance across our Paid Search accounts-particularly those within the retail and e-commerce verticals. You'll work closely with internal ...

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Search Director information

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$99K

$115K

$145.5K

How much do search director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for search director in the United States is $114,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Search Director vs Search Manager?

AspectSearch DirectorSearch Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire search strategy, manages teams, and aligns search initiatives with business goals.Executes search campaigns, manages day-to-day operations, and reports on performance.
Required CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees in marketing, advertising, or related fields; experience in digital marketing and leadership.Often requires a bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related areas; experience in search marketing.
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often in corporate or agency settings.Operational, campaign-focused, often in digital marketing teams.

The Search Director focuses on high-level strategy and team leadership, while the Search Manager handles daily campaign execution. Both roles require expertise in search marketing, but the Director's role is more strategic and managerial, whereas the Manager's role is more tactical and operational.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Search Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Search Director, you need deep expertise in SEO/SEM strategy, analytics, and digital marketing, supported by a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field. Mastery of tools like Google Analytics, Google Ads, SEMrush, and familiarity with bid management systems is typically required. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and communication skills help in guiding teams and presenting actionable insights to stakeholders. These skills ensure successful search campaign execution, maximized ROI, and alignment of search initiatives with overall business goals.

What are the 5 primary responsibilities of a director?

A Search Director is responsible for developing and implementing search strategies, managing teams of search specialists, analyzing data to optimize campaigns, overseeing budget allocation, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. They also stay updated on industry trends and tools to improve search performance.

What salary does a director make?

The salary of a Search Director typically ranges from $100,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles with extensive experience or in high-demand sectors can earn higher compensation, often including bonuses and benefits.

What jobs make around $100,000 a year?

For a Search Director, annual salaries around $100,000 are common, especially with experience and in larger organizations. Other roles in marketing, data analysis, and management positions can also reach or exceed this salary level, often requiring specialized skills, certifications, or leadership responsibilities.

What does a Search Director do?

A Search Director is responsible for overseeing and managing a company's search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. They lead teams to develop and implement campaigns aimed at increasing a website's visibility and driving qualified traffic from search engines. The role involves analyzing performance data, optimizing content and paid search campaigns, and staying updated on industry trends to ensure effective search strategies. Search Directors often collaborate with other departments, such as content, analytics, and web development, to achieve overall marketing goals.

Does a director outrank a manager?

In most organizational structures, a Search Director or similar director role typically outranks a manager, as directors are responsible for overseeing multiple teams or departments and setting strategic goals. Managers usually handle day-to-day operations within specific teams and report to directors. The hierarchy can vary by company, but generally, directors hold a higher leadership position than managers.

How does a Search Director typically collaborate with other marketing leaders and departments within an organization?

A Search Director often works closely with other marketing leaders, such as Brand, Content, and Analytics teams, to align search strategy with broader business goals. Collaboration may include coordinating integrated campaigns, sharing data-driven insights, and ensuring consistency across digital channels. This role also regularly interfaces with product managers and IT to optimize website performance and user experience. Effective communication and cross-departmental teamwork are essential for driving measurable results and maximizing ROI on search investments.
More about Search Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Search Director jobs? Cities with the most Search Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Search jobs? The most popular types of Search jobs are:
What states have the most Search Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Search Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Search Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,999 per year, or $55.3 per hour.
Paid Search Director

Paid Search Director

Fingerpaint Marketing

Cedar Knolls, NJ • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Reset your expectations of what a healthcare agency can be. Fingerpaint was founded on a simple, powerful idea: Put people first. By replacing egos with a "Never Paint by Number" philosophy, we empower our teams to create truly original work while delivering integrated marketing and life sciences solutions for patients and providers alike. Fiercely independent, we blend empathy, creativity, and data to solve the industry's most complex challenges, empowering bold thinkers to craft with the courage and purpose needed to break the mold.

Objectives of this Role:

As a Director, Paid Search at Fingerpaint, you will serve asastrategic and operational leaderwithinthe paid search discipline across a portfolio of pharmaceuticalclients. You will set the strategic vision foryourassigned accounts, drive innovation in how wemanage andoptimizesearchcampaigns, and ensure our capabilitiesremainat the forefront of the industry.
You will lead and develop a high-performing team offour direct reports, overseeingstrategy and activationfor yourassigned brands.You will also partner with organic search and generative engine optimization counterparts to ensure a holistic, collaborative approach to search strategy.You will alsobe responsible forforecasting,scoping, and staffingpaid search projectsto ensureproper management, optimizations, and support is available for yourassigned brands.You will serve as the senior point of contact for client relationships, represent paid search in new business opportunities, andleadthought leadership efforts.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Paid Search Strategy & Client Leadership
  • Set the strategic direction for paid search campaigns across Google, Microsoft (Bing), YouTube, and other biddable search-based platforms, ensuring alignment with client business goals, strategic imperatives, and broader media objectives
  • Present complex paid search strategies, performance insights, and optimization recommendations to external stakeholders in a clear, confident, and digestible manner
  • Oversee and strategically contribute to targeting, keyword research, ad copy development, landing page assignments, and KPIs/measurementobjectiveswith consideration for campaign outcomes beyond the click, such as deep content engagement and Rx conversion
  • Proactivelyidentifyemerging opportunities in the paid search landscape,including automation, AI-powered bidding, and new platform capabilities,and translate them into actionable client strategies
  • Serve as the senior point of contact for assigned brands, partnering closely with clients and internal team leads across other departments to integrate paid search within the broader omnichannel media plan
Team Leadership & Development
  • Foster a high-performing team culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence
  • Set clear expectations and goals for team members, providing regular feedback, mentorship, and career development guidance
  • Ensure quality assurance across all team deliverables, including campaign builds, keyword research, bid management, financial actualizations, and client reporting
  • Prioritize and delegate tasks across the team in the areas of account creation, QA, optimization, pacing, bid management, targeting, and reporting
  • Oversee scope development, staffing forecasts, andutilizationplanning in coordination with media, account, and project management teams
Thought Leadership & New Business
  • Lead thought leadership efforts by authoring and reviewing search-related POVs, case studies, and insights based on industry updates, trends, and campaign performance findings
  • Serve as a paid search subject matter expert in new business pitches and proposals, articulating Fingerpaint's capabilities and point of view to prospective clients
  • Contribute to the development and refinement of agency-wide paid search processes, best practices, and capability offerings
  • Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and regulations in the search marketplace through research, industry events, and conferences

Job Requirements:

  • 6-8 years of hands-on experience managing paid search accounts, with progressive leadershipand managementresponsibilities; agency experience strongly preferred
  • Deepexpertisein paid search campaign strategy, management, analysis, and optimization across Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, YouTube, and Search Ads 360
  • In addition to experiencein pharmaceuticalindustry, non-pharma experience is welcome
  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex data and campaign performance into clear, actionable strategic recommendations
  • Strongproficiencywith analyticsand data visualization platforms (Google Analytics,Tableau, Looker Studio, or Google Data Studio)
  • Experienceworking with AI tools, such as Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT, to improve day to day efficiencies within your and your team's workloads
  • Experience contributing to and leading new business pitches and proposalsis a plus
  • Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel (V-Lookups, Pivot Tables, financial modeling) and PowerPoint
  • Experience with or exposure to organic SEOis a plus
  • Experience withgenerative engine optimization (GEO)and working within LLMsis a plus
  • Experience with advanced claims-based analytics (e.g.,CrossixDIFA) is a plus
Employment Type: Regular Full Time