This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Associate Vice President, Paid Search – EDU based in the United States.
This is a senior leadership role overseeing paid search strategy and performance across a portfolio of higher education clients. You will be responsible for defining vision, driving innovation, and scaling high-performance search programs that directly impact enrollment outcomes and institutional growth. The role blends strategic leadership, client advisory, and hands-on performance oversight across large, complex accounts. You will partner closely with senior stakeholders and internal teams to elevate paid search capabilities through data-driven decisioning and advanced platform expertise. In this role, you will also guide and develop high-performing teams while ensuring excellence in execution across campaigns and budgets. This is a highly visible position with direct influence on both client success and broader business growth.
Accountabilities:
In this role, you will lead the strategic direction, execution, and optimization of paid search programs across higher education accounts while ensuring measurable performance and long-term client success.
- Define and evolve paid search strategy for higher education clients, aligning with enrollment cycles, program demand, and institutional objectives.
- Act as executive sponsor for key client relationships, guiding investment strategy, growth opportunities, and long-term planning.
- Oversee portfolio performance across multiple accounts, ensuring delivery against KPIs such as CPL, enrollment volume, and efficiency targets.
- Lead client-facing QBRs and executive-level presentations focused on performance insights and strategic recommendations.
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing search team, supporting career development and organizational growth.
- Establish testing frameworks, optimization standards, and reporting methodologies across accounts.
- Collaborate with analytics teams to refine attribution models and improve measurement across long consideration cycles.
- Drive continuous improvement in campaign structure, bidding strategies, budget allocation, and platform innovation.
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and clarity in reporting, translating data into actionable insights and client value.
Requirements:
You bring deep expertise in performance marketing and paid search leadership, with a strong track record of driving results in complex, data-driven environments.
- 12+ years of paid search and performance marketing experience, ideally within higher education or lead generation-focused industries.
- Proven success managing and scaling large, multimillion-dollar budgets across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads.
- Strong background in delivering measurable business outcomes tied to acquisition, conversion, and efficiency metrics.
- Experience leading client relationships at an executive level with strong communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams, including organizational design and talent development.
- Deep analytical capability with the ability to translate complex datasets into clear strategic direction.
- Expertise in campaign strategy, bidding methodologies, funnel optimization, and audience segmentation.
- Strong understanding of attribution models, reporting systems, and performance measurement frameworks.
- Ability to operate in fast-paced, matrixed environments with multiple stakeholders and priorities.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary range of $140,000–$160,000 depending on experience and location
- Unlimited PTO to support work-life balance
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Employee equity program
- Employee discounts, wellness programs, and pet insurance offerings
- Remote-friendly work environment (#LI-Remote)
- Opportunities for career growth, leadership development, and performance-based advancement
- Inclusive workplace culture focused on diversity, equity, and belonging.
How Jobgether works:
We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.
We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!
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