Digital Buying Director - Search / Social / Programmatic
Saint Louis, MO / Chicago, IL
Media – Media /
Full-time /
Hybrid
The Digital Buying Director will serve as team manager for our biddable media team including, search, paid social and programmatic specialists. This person will also serve as the lead manager of our HLK Desk, guiding buyers throughout campaigns. In addition, they will lead execution for our largest clients/campaigns from planning, executing, optimizing and supporting reporting across platforms.
Responsibilities
- Lead the biddable functions within the media department, ensuring the team is executing plans flawlessly and driving optimizations regularly for campaign success
- Collaborate with media strategists, supporting the creation of budget and strategic recommendations for the the overall media plan
- Ensure the success of the billing process for biddable parts of the media plan
- Research, recommend and implement tools we need to be successful
- Own a book of work, actively managing larger, more complex accounts across search, social and programmatic
- Establish new processes to efficiently set up and improve quality control of campaign activation
- Implement a daily/weekly/monthly optimization process with documentation that improves overall campaign performance and reporting
- Research and push clients to test new offerings on multiple biddable platforms
- Manage assigned team, including hiring staff and establishing a performance-driven culture based on curiosity that results in action
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising or a related field
- Minimum of seven years of paid search, social and ideally programmatic experience
- Experience managing an in-house programmatic trading desk
- Experience managing staff including hiring, training, establishing expectations and managing performance
- Updated certifications in Google Ads Certifications and social platform certifications where necessary
- Expert on all aspects of the Google Ads offering (Search Ads, Google Display Network, YouTube, Campaign Manager 360, etc.)
- Ability to strategically assess opportunities and make data-driven decisions resulting in tangible improvements in performance
- Flexibility and ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- A strong communicator with a can-do, positive attitude and a strong desire to get things done
About HLK:
HLK is an independent agency with offices in St. Louis & Chicago. We have a hybrid in-office schedule and are looking for local St. Louis or Chicago candidates only.
We believe in the power of people to drive brands. Together, we shape a brand's identity and inspire its next move.
We believe that brands have the power to influence people. We create brands in constant motion — on a mission to connect, surprise and change behavior.
Our mission is to provide an environment where passionate problem solvers can thrive. Every day, we encourage our people to do three things:
Be Curious. Seek out the right problems to solve. Embrace criticism. Dig deeper and dream bigger.
Be Thoughtful. Empathy transforms information into insight. We remove roadblocks to solutions, helping and supporting each other to solve client problems.
Be Brave. Take calculated risks, push the work and move forward fearlessly.
There are many benefits to working at HLK, including the following:
A flexible work environment
A casual and creative atmosphere
Unlimited time off
Paid sabbatical
Parental leave
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) plan with a company match
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
