Canvas Worldwide

Director, Paid Search

Posted Yesterday

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El Segundo, CA, USA

Hybrid

140K-150K Annually

Senior level

AdTech • Marketing Tech

The Role

Owns paid search strategy, performance, budgets, client satisfaction, and operational excellence for major accounts. Leads integrated media planning, executive presentations, forecasting, measurement, automation, generative AI initiatives, platform partnerships, and privacy-safe attribution. Manages and develops a search team while advising clients on Search, Performance Max, bidding technology, SEO, and emerging AI-driven search environments.

Summary Generated by Built In

Canvas Worldwide dares to be the challenger the ad industry needs. Do you "Challenge the Comfortable?" Then you'll fit right in here at Canvas.

Recognized as one of Ad Age's "Best Places to Work" for three consecutive years, Canvas Worldwide is an independent media agency committed to providing creative solutions for brands that challenge the status quo. Our clients include Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, MGM, Zillow and McDonald’s (to name a few…).

Our agency cultivates an environment where all are welcome to push outside their comfort zones to solve problems in new ways. We encourage the team to be its best by creating the most positive workplace experience for all. For instance, we outpace the industry on diversity and inclusion AND offer continuous training and workshops for career development. So, if you dare to challenge the comfortable… then keep reading.

Overview

As Director, Search (SEM), you will own the strategic direction, performance outcomes, and operational excellence of paid search for one of our top clients. You will lead the evolution of search across traditional engines, emerging AI/LLM environments, and social search. This role combines deep platform expertise and leadership of a high‑performing team.

You will serve as the senior client lead for search, partnering closely with Strategy, Analytics, Data Science and other channel leaders to shape integrated media strategy and measurement. You will also collaborate with the VP of Search to influence the broader practice’s roadmap, innovation agenda, and operational standards.

Responsibilities

Own performance outcomes, budget stewardship, and client satisfaction for your accounts.
Translate business objectives into search strategies that ladder into the broader media plan and marketplace dynamics.
Craft executive‑ready narratives grounded in data, connecting performance to business impact and identifying opportunities to scale, refine, or reallocate spend.
Partner with cross‑channel leads to ensure integrated planning, shared learning, and cohesive client storytelling.
Collaborate with Analytics and Strategy teams on forecasting and scenario planning to guide investment decisions.
Drive specialized initiatives in automation and generative AI for workflow optimization to improve efficiency and performance.
Stay ahead of search, AI, and privacy‑driven measurement changes; translate implications into actionable guidance for clients and internal teams.

Lead, coach, and develop a team of search practitioners, fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Set clear expectations and growth plans for team members.
Guide agendas for key partner meetings and executive presentations.

Technical Depth and Platform Excellence

Advise clients and teams on how machine learning, automation, and generative AI can enhance search performance.
Demonstrate mastery of Search and Performance Max as well as how these products within with the partner tech stack and media ecosystem.
Partner with Analytics and Data Science on measurement frameworks including incrementality, conversion modeling, MMM/MTA, and privacy‑safe attribution.
Uphold best practices standards across bidding automation, testing frameworks, QA and knowledge-sharing processes.
Evaluate and manage platform partners, tools, and vendors to ensure best‑in‑class execution.

Qualifications

Proven track record of success in growing and advancing search strategy in previous roles
Ability to present and sell strategies/plans through to the client

Strong knowledge of Search partners and bidding technology, knowledge of Search Ads 360 is a plus
Working knowledge of SEO and AEO/GEO concepts
Must have the ability to synthesize data into actionable insights and next steps

Experience managing large media budgets and achieving monthly goals for spend and key performance metrics
Automotive vertical experience is a plus
7+ years of Paid Search experience
3+ years of managing teams of 3+ members

Salary and Benefits

Actual base salary is determined upon factors such as experience, qualifications, training, certifications, and internal equity. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Base salary is part of a total rewards package that includes highly competitive benefits like generous medical, dental, vision, pet insurance, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance coverage, 401(k) matching, up to 14 holidays per year, a “Do Good Day,” and unlimited PTO.

Additional perks include employee social and wellness events, a DEI Council, auto purchase rebate program, monthly wellness allowance, and in-office amenities such as fresh kombucha and an in-house barista inside our beautiful, new vibrant El Segundo office.

In-Office Work Schedule

This is a hybrid role, requiring a minimum of 3 days in-office per week.

Canvas Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

CA Applicants: Canvas Worldwide practices Fair Chance Hiring

Skills Required

Proven success growing and advancing search strategy in previous roles
Ability to present and sell strategies and plans to clients
Strong knowledge of search partners and bidding technology
Working knowledge of SEO and AEO/GEO concepts
Ability to synthesize data into actionable insights and next steps
Experience managing large media budgets and achieving monthly spend and performance goals
Seven or more years of paid search experience
Three or more years managing teams of three or more members
Knowledge of Search Ads 360
Automotive vertical experience

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The Company

HQ: Playa Vista, CA

497 Employees

Year Founded: 2016

What We Do

Named “Most Innovative Agency” by Campaign US, Canvas Worldwide is an independent media agency that provides ingenious solutions for brands looking to challenge the status quo. And as a mission-based agency, our rallying cry, "Challenge the Comfortable," is our team philosophy to push outside our comfort zones to solve problems in new ways – because there can be no greatness without enduring a bit of discomfort. Canvas was created to embrace the rapid pace of change in the industry with the belief that future viability means reimagining what's possible. This fresh, strategic approach to media marketing services has produced an environment in which it’s possible to fearlessly try the unusual. Under the “Challenge the Comfortable” banner, the Canvas team dedicates itself to getting outside of our comfort zones and resisting the conventional. Launched in 2015, we are dual-headquartered in Los Angeles and New York, with regional offices in Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Atlanta. Canvas Worldwide services clients such as Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Starz, MGM Studios, McDonald's and more. At Canvas, assumptions are left behind, everything is questioned, and in the process, the unexpected—sometimes even magical—happens daily. So, if you’re bold enough to Challenge the Comfortable… then we want YOU to come work for the most innovative agency in the country!