[Remote] Associate Director, Paid Media

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. SmartBug Media is a company committed to delivering measurable results for businesses, specializing in AI-driven media. The Associate Director, Paid Media will oversee client relationships and internal paid media strategy, manage a team, and collaborate to ensure revenue growth and retention across franchise accounts.ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership: Oversee key franchise client relationships and guide internal paid media strategy across a portfolio of franchise accounts/brandsCorporate Point-of-Contact: Serve as a primary point-of-contact and strategic partner for the corporate team on assigned franchise brandsTeam Leadership & Development: Supervise several direct reports, actively pursuing their growth and learning opportunities. Conduct regular check-ins, performance reviews, PTO approval, and professional development planning. Share performance notes with DirectorsRevenue Growth & Retention: Collaborate with Directors/ Senior Directors to retain and grow franchise network revenue by guiding their team. Regularly review network revenue and churn with DirectorsCross-functional Support: Support Director efforts in working cross-functionally with marketing, business development, and other teams to ensure integrated service deliveryFranchise Network Performance: Manage strategic relationships with corporate teams, developing and implementing growth plans and strategies for franchise brandsStrategic Oversight: Review performance metrics for assigned clients and brands, delegating to Strategists/Sr. Strategists when goals are not met, and providing strategic guidanceProcess Improvement: Ensure best practices are followed and work to improve team effectiveness and efficiency by maintaining up-to-date processes and documentationClient Satisfaction: Lead client relationships, proactively identifying and communicating account issues and growth opportunities. Escalate rare client satisfaction concerns to DirectorsSkills5+ years of experience in paid media management, including experience with Google Ads and Facebook/Instagram Ads2+ years of client-facing experience, preferably in an agency setting1+ year of direct people management experienceProven experience leading strategy for large or complex client accounts (over $50K ad spend per month)Industry expertise in at least one key vertical (e.g., healthcare, SaaS, B2B, education, etc.)Deep understanding of B2B and/or B2C marketing funnel strategiesProficiency with HubSpot, including knowledge of lifecycle stages, workflows, and integration between paid media platforms and HubSpot CRM for tracking and attributionGoogle Ads certifications and other relevant paid media platform certificationsBachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field preferredStrong ability to define and guide paid media strategyProven success in leading, coaching, and developing teamsSkilled at managing high-level client and corporate relationshipsFocused on revenue goals and performance metricsWorks effectively across internal teams and with Directors/Senior DirectorsCompany OverviewSmartBug Media is a digital and content marketing firm that offers a variety of services to its clients. It was founded in 2007, and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is http://www.smartbugmedia.com.