Group Director, Search (Remote)

Please note that we will never request payment or bank account information at any stage of the recruitment process. As we continue to grow our teams, we urge you to be cautious of fraudulent job postings or recruitment activities that misuse our company name and information. Please protect your personal information during any recruitment process. While Monks may contact potential candidates via LinkedIn, all applications must be submitted through our official website (/careers).About the RoleWe are looking for a strong, passionate, and energetic Search leader to drive growth and strategic oversight across the paid search department with a focus on working on our largest accounts and serving as an SME on LLM optimization for organic and paid synergy. We are looking for someone passionate about search-driven performance marketing and well-versed in both organic search and paid search. This individual should be a people-focused leader who enjoys hands-on, cross-functional collaboration and wants to join a fast-growing, innovative digital agency that is hyper-focused on client performance and ROI.Responsibilities:Reporting to our SVP, Head of Search, this role will serve as a people leader, inclusive of SEM channel specialists (Paid search, YouTube, Demand Gen, PMax, Shopping, and App) as well as Account Leads managing direct client partnerships, contract negotiations/renewals, client onboards, etc., in addition to SEO specialists.This role will serve as a Search thought leader prepared to respond to the changing landscapeThe ideal candidate will have recent experience in SEO/GEO or AEO/AIO, as well as direct experience optimizing for LLMs across paid and organic searchThis candidate should come with a strong POV regarding how to operationalize a GTM approach for LLM optimizationHands-on experience and knowledge of content and tech audits for organic searchComfortable working with SEO reporting and visibility monitoringResponsible for revenue driven from new business, client relationships, and client growthWill serve as an escalation point across a set of top clients and will be highly active in pitches, scoping, and working closely with our growth teamWill present Paid Search and organic strategy, performance, and tactical priorities to the client and internal stakeholdersPartners with cross-channel leads on creating media plans, including forecasting, testing, tactical plans, and reportingDrives Search strategy, innovation & testing on your book of business while improving performance, developing quarterly or annual roadmaps to keep advancing accounts with the latest trends and opportunitiesPresent QBRs, planning presentations, and testing plans regularlyLead client calls from a paid search perspectiveForecasting, budgeting, and diminishing return analysisManages others from Account Managers to DirectorsAccountable for team growth (training and mentorship) and retentionHighly involved with hiring and onboarding new employeesManages a team with advanced SEM skills, multi-channel digital marketing strategy, and client management skills, including projections, analytics reporting, etc.Delivers feedback, performance reviews, support, and recognition in pursuit of achieving team goalsHelps lead career pathing and coachingServes as a senior sponsor on your team's accounts, developing senior client relationships and guiding holistic digital strategyResponsible for training for the team, department, and agencyContribute to team morale and culture through engagement, team building, and mentorshipContribute to overall department training, POVs, award submissions, and case studiesWorks closely with Google, Bing, and other vendor partners on alpha and beta opportunities, expansion opportunities, client strategy and planning, and best practicesResponsible for operationalizing processes and helping gain adoption across team focus areas Assist in creating a team culture across a hybrid working modelAbout YouThe essentials:12+ years Paid Search experienceExperience communicating with senior clients' points of contact from VPs to C-SuiteExperience handling direct management of Paid Search budgets of at least $1MM+ in monthly ad spendRecent experience optimizing to LLMs across paid and organic search and will have organic and paid search experienceExperience directing strategy in D2C or Retail, B2B, and B2C digital advertising efforts across different verticals is a major plusExperience in YouTube, Performance Max, Demand Gen, and Value-Based Bidding, understanding of Offline Conversion Data, and CRM integrations with Google Ads a plusAdvanced slide presentation making and Excel / Google sheet skillsExperience presenting paid search strategy to marketing executives, large teams, and senior audiencesHave 5+ years of management experience with at least 3 direct reports at Associate Director level and aboveExperience with a bid management platform is preferred, such as SA360, Skai, Marin, etc.4-year college degree or equivalent work experienceAt Monks, we believe in fostering an environment where a diversity of perspectives can thrive. We proactively work to design hiring processes that promote equity and inclusion while mitigating bias. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage qualified applicants, from all backgrounds, who are excited to contribute to our mission. #LI-HP1#LI-RemoteWhat We OfferBenefitsExcellent, full coverage medical, dental, and vision insurance - more about our coverage here!Generous PTO and 15 company-wide holidays401k with company contributionPaid parental leaveWork-life balance with an emphasis on personal well-beingCareer growth in a disruptor space & entrepreneurial opportunities within the Monks network A globally diverse & inclusive culture with employee resource groups such as S4 Melanin, Pride.Monks, Cultura.Monks, and more!Authentic commitment to DEI efforts and sustainable growth. (Why Sir Martin Sorrell signed The Climate Pledge here!)This role is subject to our Return to Office (RTO) policy. If you reside within a commutable distance of one of our office locations, you will be expected to work from the office a set number of days per week. The specific details, including the number of required office days, will be in accordance with the company's then-current RTO policy, which is subject to change from time to time.Monks has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what Monks may pay for the position at the time of posting. Monks may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on job-related factors, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.Salary Range: $160,000-$180,000 USDAbout MonksMonks is the global, purely digital, unitary operating brand of S4Capital plc. With a legacy of innovation and specialized expertise, Monks combines an extraordinary range of global marketing and technology services to accelerate business possibilities and redefine how brands and businesses interact with the world. Its integration of systems and workflows delivers unfettered content production, scaled experiences, enterprise-grade technology and data science fueled by AI-managed by the industry's best and most diverse digital talent-to help the world's trailblazing companies outmaneuver and outpace their competition.Monks was named a Contender in The Forrester Wave™: Global Marketing Services. It has remained a constant presence on Adweek's Fastest Growing lists (2019-23), ranks among Cannes Lions' Top 10 Creative Companies (2022-23) and is the only partner to have been placed in AdExchanger's Programmatic Power Players list every year (2020-24). In addition to being named Adweek's first AI Agency of the Year (2023), Monks has been recognized by Business Intelligence in its 2024 Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Awards program in three categories: the Individual category, Organizational Winner in AI Strategic Planning and AI Product for its service Monks.Flow. Monks has also garnered the title of Webby Production Company of the Year (2021-24), won a record number of FWAs and has earned a spot on Newsweek's Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces 2023.We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a respectful and empowering work environment for all people to freely express themselves amongst colleagues who embrace diversity in all respects. Including fresh voices and unique points of view in all aspects of our business not only creates an environment where we can all grow and thrive but also increases our potential to produce work that better represents-and resonates with-the world around us.

Created: 2026-04-02