Senior Director, Paid Search

The posting, as Darkroom wrote it

ABOUT DARKROOM

Darkroom is the leading next-generation growth marketing firm engineering the brands of tomorrow. Founded in 2017, we set out to redefine what a modern agency could be, by replacing the inertia of legacy advertising behemoths with a model built for speed, intelligence, and measurable impact.

At our core, Darkroom is a human services company powered by Shadow, a universal AI commerce layer that integrates executive-level strategy with proprietary agentic technology. This fusion enables our teams to deliver outsized returns by enhancing creative output, operational efficiency, and revenue generation across every stage of the customer journey.

Our track record speaks for itself: billions in attributable revenue driven across e-commerce marketplaces, media networks, DTC ecosystems, and social commerce platforms. Every engagement feeds into our proprietary data infrastructure, enabling a continuous feedback loop that accelerates growth, improves margins, and compounds results across our client portfolio.

What began as a boutique design studio has evolved into one of the fastest-growing private companies in America (Inc. 5000) and among the most effective performance media agencies of the 2020s (Varos). Our founders were recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for advancing the intersection of technology, marketing, and advertising, cementing Darkroom’s role as a defining player in the future of media innovation.

About the Role

We are hiring for our Paid Media team, looking for a Senior Director, Paid Search: the head of Darkroom’s Paid Search practice. This is an executive leadership role. You’ll own the strategy, performance, and commercial health of the practice across Google, YouTube, Microsoft Advertising, and the emerging AI search ecosystem (including platforms like Perplexity, OpenAI, Koah, and Kontext as their ad products launch), lead a team of Associate Directors, Paid Search Managers, and Specialists, and be accountable for the outcomes paid search delivers across Darkroom’s client portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a recognized expert in search buying behavior who has already built and run a paid search organization. You’ve scaled Google ad accounts well beyond $1M USD per month, led teams that include people managers, and served as a trusted strategic advisor to CMOs and founders. You’re curious about where AI search is heading and want to be the person who defines how Darkroom shows up there. You think in systems, not campaigns, and you know how to build a team that runs those systems well.

You’ll report to the Managing Director of Paid Media and sit on the Paid Media leadership team, partnering with Darkroom leadership on practice growth, margin, hiring, and the evolution of our service offering. You’ll collaborate closely with Paid Social, Programmatic, Creative, Analytics, Growth Strategy, and Shadow, and will be responsible for building the next generation of paid search leaders at Darkroom.

This is a fast-pace
[…]
o support each other relentlessly. No egos, no red tape — just world-class talent building something remarkable.

We believe in autonomy with accountability, truth over comfort, and outcomes over optics.

• Unlimited PTO + US holidays: Rebooting is part of the work. Take the time you need to stay sharp.
• Remote-First Culture: Many roles are fully remote. Employees based in or near our New York or Lisbon HQs are expected to work hybrid with weekly in-office time. Hub locations include Brazil and Spain.
• Health & Wellness: Company-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Finances, growth, and retirement: Darkroom offers a robust 401(k) program with company match and profit-sharing opportunities to help you save and grow as the company grows.
• Parental Leave: Flexible parental leave to support new parents during this important transition.
• Growth: Our interdisciplinary model gives every Darkroomer exposure far beyond their core role. Grow your skills, expand your influence, and stay at the forefront of the industry.

COMPENSATION

The base salary range for this role is $190,000 per year. This range represents the anticipated minimum and maximum for this position and applies to candidates based in New York, including New York City, in compliance with the New York State Pay Transparency Law and the New York City Salary Transparency Law. Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on experience, skills, and qualifications. This role is also eligible for performance-based compensation. A summary of benefits is listed above.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Darkroom is an equal opportunity workplace—we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national orientation, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.