Head of Paid Search

The Opportunity

We’re seeking a Head of Paid Search to set the vision for Code3’s paid search practice and lead its next phase of growth. This person will be accountable for the quality and performance of our work, the development of our team, and the growth and profitability of the practice. 

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can connect paid search strategy to broader business outcomes, while remaining close enough to the work to personally diagnose challenges and guide execution. You will initially lead a team of five, with a mandate to strengthen and grow the team as the client portfolio expands. You will establish Code3’s strategic point of view and operating standards, serve as a senior advisor to clients, lead our Google partnership, represent the practice in the market and be hands-on-keyboard for select large or strategically important accounts.

What you’ll do:

• Practice Strategy & Innovation
• Set the vision and roadmap for paid search at Code3.
• Establish the POVs, SOPs and quality standards needed to deliver excellent work across Google and Microsoft.
• Ensure the practice consistently improves account performance, meets client goals and identifies opportunities for growth.
• Stay ahead of AI, automation and changing search behavior, translating developments into practical guidance for clients and teams.
• Connect paid search with Creative, Commerce, Paid Social, Measurement and Client Partnership.
• Client Strategy & Activation
• Own paid search performance across Code3’s client portfolio.
• Serve as a senior client advisor and escalation point, identifying performance concerns, growth opportunities and risks early.
• Provide strategic oversight and hands-on-keyboard support for select large or complex accounts.
• Ensure teams deliver strong planning, execution and measurement, translating performance into clear recommendations tied to clients’ business objectives.
• Partner with Client Partnership on account strategy, executive relationships, retention and expansion.
• Growth, Partnerships & Market Presence
• Grow Code3’s paid search portfolio through strong retention, expansion and new business.
• Lead the paid search strategy for audits, pitches and prospect conversations.
• Own Code3’s Google partnership and build productive relationships with Microsoft and other key partners.
• Manage the practice’s staffing, utilization, revenue and profitability in partnership with agency leadership.
• Build Code3’s market presence through original content, compelling case studies and public speaking.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Lead and grow a high-performing team of five, setting clear expectations for strategy, execution, client leadership and accountability.
• Own hiring, coaching, performance management and career development across the practice.
• Build the training and operating rhythms needed to improve technical expertise, strategic judgment and client communication.
• Plan staffing and capacity to balance client needs, profitability, employee growth and sustainable workloads.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, ownership and continuous improvement.

Who will love this role:

• A builder excited to overhaul and scale a paid search practice, not simply inherit and maintain one.
• A hands-on leader comfortable moving between executive strategy, team leadership and direct account work.
• A commercial thinker who connects client performance with retention, growth and profitability.
• A clear communicator who enjoys developing a point of view, building trust and representing their expertise publicly.
• A curious practitioner who is actively exploring how AI and changing search behavior are reshaping the discipline.

You should have:

• 8+ years of paid search experience, including substantial agency experience and deep expertise across Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising.
• 3+ years leading paid search professionals, including hiring, coaching and performance management.
• A track record of improving account performance, meeting client goals, retaining and expanding business, and addressing risks early.
• Experience advising senior clients and leading new-business audits, pitches and strategic presentations.
• Strong measurement fluency, including conversion tracking, GA4, attribution, incrementality and experimentation.
• Strong business acumen across practice revenue, profitability, staffing and capacity planning.
• Experience building effective processes, quality standards and team training.
• The ability and willingness to work directly in platform on select accounts.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Relevant Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising certifications, or the ability to complete them shortly after joining.

Strongly preferred:

• Experience with product feeds, Merchant Center and Shopping optimization.
• Experience across both ecommerce and lead-generation clients.
• Experience with GEO, AI search or answer engines and their impact on consumer discovery.
• Established relationships with Google, Microsoft or relevant technology partners.

The position also offers a bonus based on company and client success.