Director, Search

WE HAVE CREATED A WORLD WHERE ART AND SCIENCE ARE BEST FRIENDS

Known is what happens when a data science firm and a creative agency stop arguing and start collaborating. We were built from scratch with PhD data scientists and award-winning creatives working on the same briefs, from day one. That structure earned us an Ad Age #3 A-List ranking, back-to-back Data & Insights Agency of the Year wins, plus Emmys, Cannes Lions, Clios, and Effies across clients in finance, tech, entertainment, consumer goods, and real estate. We're distributed across the U.S. and unapologetically ambitious.

If you're tired of choosing between doing smart work and doing creative work, you'll fit right in here.

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT US, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU

About the Role

Known's Media Science team uses advanced analytics, machine learning, statistics, and algorithms to plan and optimize advertising dollars. We partner with our clients to translate their business goals into meaningful metrics, and buy media across all channels to drive those target outcomes.

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, and act as a senior client contact backed by the Senior Director. You bring a clear point of view on how generative AI is changing search behavior and paid media execution.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own performance and day-to-day client relationships for your accounts, and report progress against portfolio-level targets with clear, data-grounded narratives
• Execute paid search and generative AI search strategy, including Performance Max, AI-powered Smart Bidding, and emerging gen AI ad surfaces, and contribute ideas that help shape strategy across the portfolio
• Uphold best practices across your team, including testing frameworks, QA standards, and knowledge-sharing processes
• Manage and develop 2-4 direct reports, including day-to-day coaching and performance feedback
• Serve as a senior client contact, and partner with the Senior Director on issues that need executive-level involvement
• Translate client business objectives into search strategies, and connect search activity to the broader channel plan
• Manage day-to-day advertising spend across your paid search accounts
• Advise clients and internal teams on how machine learning, automation, and generative AI tools can improve search performance
• Build and present media plans, performance reports, and strategic recommendations to client stakeholders
• Stay current on changes in search and AI, and share findings with your team and the Senior Director to help shape the practice's direction

WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE

• A degree from a well-regarded college or university
• 6+ years of hands-on experience managing paid search strategy and execution in a digital agency or comparable environment
• Experience managing gen AI-powered search campaigns, including Performance Max, Responsive Search Ads, Smart Bidding, and emerging generative ad formats across Google and Microsoft
• Working knowledge of SEO, including technical SEO, content strategy, and the intersection of organic and paid search
• Experience managing a team of 2-4 people
• Experience managing client relationships directly, including presenting to client stakeholders
• Experience translating goals into KPIs
• Ability to think creatively and question conventional platform or channel approaches when the situation calls for it
• Experience and interest in AI and GEO/GPT optimization technologies and platforms

SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND KNOWLEDGE

• Strong grasp of the math behind media buying, including statistics, attribution models, and measurement frameworks, and the ability to turn insights into action
• Ability to execute paid search and gen AI search work as part of a single coherent strategy
• In-platform fluency with Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, including AI-powered campaign types
• Experience with search audience strategies, keyword architecture, and budget scaling across verticals
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical clients
• Experience working with data scientists or technical teams on measurement and optimization problems is a plus

COMPETENCIES

• Translates business problems into specific, solvable media questions and delivers high-quality work against them
• Coaches team members with varying levels of experience
• Holds a high bar for accuracy in reporting and analytics, for their own work and others'
• Collaborative by default, and builds trust across media, analytics, and client teams

SOME OF OUR PERKS

• Unlimited paid time off
• 401k with company matching and no vesting period
• Annual bonuses
• Generous medical plan
• Paid parental leave

ONE LAST THING TO ASK YOURSELF

All this might sound great, but you’re probably still wondering, “Would I be a good fit for Known?” or “Would Known be a good fit for me?” Our culture is propped up by four values that we aspire to every day: We are one team. We see the good. We never stop learning. There’s always a better way. At Known we are setting out to build something more than just a company. We are building a legacy filled with exceptionally talented people with a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experiences, and origin stories who feel encouraged and empowered to bring their whole selves to work, and to partner with us in molding and shaping our culture through our values.

Known is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or qualified job applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or locally protected class.

The base salary for this position is $140K-$155K

            This range is posted in compliance with state and municipal Pay Transparency laws. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible to receive additional Known benefits.

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