Associate Director, Paid Search

Tombras, an independent, 475+ person, national full-service advertising agency is searching for an Associate Director, Paid Search.

Where you'll be working: Knoxville or Atlanta. Relocation assistance may be provided.

What you will be doing:

• Architect effective Search Engine Marketing (SEM) / Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns with direction from the Director of Paid Search
• Exhibit confident communication skills to effectively present tactical paid search plans and campaign status reports to clients on a daily and weekly basis
• Manage paid search bid management using best-in-class match type strategies, campaign settings, demographic targeting, remarketing, custom audience lists, and custom-built automation
• Research keywords, analyze their relevance and perform competitive analysis.
• Recommend landing page strategies and consult on landing page planning and optimizations
• Possess a well-developed analytical ability and a proven track record of extracting tangible insights from large data sets
• A/B testing a multitude of campaign variables to increase the efficiency of campaign budgets to drive leads/conversion improvements, expand search impression share and drive higher ROI for our clients
• Administer bid management tools to accurate pace daily paid search budgets
• Monitor and analyze campaign performance in platforms like Google AdWords, Bing Ads, Kenshoo, and more
• Implement and test strategies designed to increase conversion rates and lower cost-per-lead across multiple clients in multiple verticals
• Mentor, train, and develop Paid Search Analysts and Strategists to continually strengthen your team members
• Work with Paid Search Analysts to ensure billing and budget pacing is handled accurately and in a timely manner
• Work closely with other internal departments to develop fully integrated search campaigns
• Champion department processes, stay current on search marketing industry trends and best practices

What you bring:

• 4-6+ years of Paid Search experience within an advertising agency
• Google Ads certifications
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to approach complex challenges creatively, analyze data insights, and make strategic decisions that go beyond standard campaign optimizations.
• Proactive & Self-Driven Work Ethic: Demonstrates initiative, ownership, and the motivation to seek out new ways to improve workflows and client outcomes.
• Early AI Adoption & Experimentation: Comfortable exploring AI, LLMs, and automation tools to enhance productivity, optimize marketing strategies, and push the boundaries of innovation.
• Continuous Learning Mindset: Eagerness to learn new technologies, adapt to emerging industry trends, and consistently iterate on best practices.
• Collaboration & Communication: Capable of working across different teams (social, programmatic, investment) to develop holistic, cross-channel media solutions that drive real business results.
• Intimate knowledge of paid search campaign types, strategies and tactical executions of Search, Performance Max, Discovery, YouTube, Display, Local, Shopping, and App across Google, Bing and Apple.
• Working knowledge around tracking solutions like pixels, Google Conversions, UET goals, Enhanced Conversions and offline conversions tracking.
• Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote and the Google Suite.
• Intimate knowledge of website analytics programs (Google Analytics, Adobe, etc.)
• Bachelor's Degree in Advertising/Marketing, Business, PR/Communications or related field.

We're a nationally recognized team of elite search engine marketers. Our team has won seven US Search Awards in the past two years, including:

• Best PPC Campaign
• Most Innovative Search Campaign
• Best Use of Search - Retail/Ecommerce

You'll be joining one of the top independent agencies in North America. Connecting Data & Creativity for Business Results® is working for our clients and creating a flywheel affect fueling both client and agency growth. You'll be a part of a highly creative agency that has been recognized by AdAge, Adweek, Communication Arts, Fast Company, Forbes and Fortune. Tombras was recently named 2025 AdAge Agency of the year and 2024 AdAge Independent Agency of the Year.

Family - It comes first, on every list. Tombras has been family-run since day 1, we strive to facilitate a family-oriented environment rooted in supporting one another. Dog-friendly offices Unlimited PTO Generous parental leave for primary and non-primary caregivers. Medical (PPO or High Deductible option) for employee + dependents 401(k) Participation Employer-paid Dental & Vision A company culture of promotions from within and an atmosphere allowing for varied and rapid career development. New, Modern building in Downtown Knoxville

Want more reasons to work at Tombras? Check out the latest Tombras News and Our Values.

Tombras is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. Tombras is an E-Verify employer and participates in the E-Verify program.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Job may require traveling overnight, driving long distances as required and sitting for extended periods of time with occasional walking and standing and occasionally lifting or carrying articles weighing less than 10 pounds.