Senior Strategist, Paid Media (Search)

The Role

As a Senior Strategist, Paid Media at Direct Agents, you will be a strategic growth partner to our clients—going beyond media buying to drive real business outcomes. You'll leverage data-driven insights through our proprietary Kanopy platform and cross-channel expertise to impact revenue, LTV, and market share. Working at the intersection of strategy, technology, and performance, you'll help clients scale their businesses while staying ahead of the evolving digital landscape.

Compensation

$95,000 - $105,000 base salary depending on experience, with annual compensation reviews based on performance. Potential bi-annual bonus based on company and individual performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted growth advisor to assigned client accounts, focusing on business impact (LTV, market share, revenue growth) over tactical metrics
• Leverage our proprietary Kanopy platform to uncover performance insights, identify optimization opportunities, and deliver strategic recommendations that drive results
• Lead integrated media strategy and planning across programmatic, paid social, and paid search
• Partner with paid media execution teams to guide optimization and implement experimentation strategies
• Proactively identify account growth opportunities and surface new service recommendations based on performance patterns
• Lead weekly/bi-weekly client calls, quarterly business reviews, and executive presentations with ROI-focused storytelling
• Stay current on emerging platforms and capabilities to bring innovative ideas to client engagements
• Embrace a technology-forward mindset—learning, using, and contributing to our proprietary agentic AI tools and automations
• QA all client-facing deliverables and oversee account and specialist teams on a project and client basis

What We're Looking For

• 4-6 years of experience in paid media (search, social, programmatic) marketing, preferably with e-commerce, subscription, entertainment, or direct response clients.
• Expert in Paid Search platforms; Google Ads
• Experience with Meta Ads Manager, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TTD, Stackadapt, DV360, Yahoo, etc is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to translate data into strategic business recommendations and actionable growth plans
• Comfort working with AI-powered tools and genuine curiosity about emerging marketing technology
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Expert understanding of customer acquisition and direct response online marketing
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a proven track record for taking initiative
• "Big picture" strategic perspective combined with willingness to roll up sleeves and do whatever it takes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to present to C-Suite executives
• Ability to prioritize tasks, multitask, and manage time efficiently

Who We Are

Direct Agents is not a traditional agency. We are an elite team of builders and operators—growth strategists, media architects, and creative thinkers—who partner with ambitious brands to drive measurable revenue growth. Backed by Kanopy AI , our proprietary intelligence platform, and exclusive partnerships with tech and media platforms, we deliver the kind of unfair advantage that helps clients dominate, not just compete.

We operate at the intersection of technology, media, and strategy—where AI meets human expertise to produce outcomes that neither can achieve alone. Our client roster includes brands like Tennis Channel, Marvel, NYSE, Morgan Stanley, Prologis, and DistroKid.

What Sets Us Apart

Direct Agents isn’t for everyone—and that’s by design. We’re building something different.

• Proprietary AI That Actually Works: Kanopy AI is our custom-built intelligence platform—real-time campaign optimization, media mix modeling, natural language analytics, and algorithm enrichment that gives our clients (and our sellers) a genuine edge. This isn’t a buzzword; it’s operational.
• Exclusive Platform Access: Direct partnerships across Google AI Search, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, Freewheel, Teads, Stackadapt and best in class tech and media partners. 
• An Elite, Not Bloated, Team: 100+ operators who move fast, think deeply, and ship work that matters. No layers of bureaucracy. Direct access to senior leadership and the executives building the strategy.
• AI Integration Across Everything: Claude, ChatGPT, and proprietary AI tools are embedded in our workflows—from data analysis and creative versioning to strategic planning and client intelligence.
• 8x Crain’s Best Places to Work: A people-first culture with a 12-month average time to promotion, a 4-day workweek, and genuine investment in career development
• Certified Minority-Owned Business: 48% BIPOC representation across the agency, 60% female representation—a team that reflects the diverse markets we serve.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary of $95,000 - $105,000 depending on experience, plus performance-based bonus structure (only where applicable)
• Regular performance reviews with quarterly growth path check-ins
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and mental health benefits (One Medical, Talkspace, KindBody, Health Advocate)
• 15–24 days PTO/year depending on seniority, plus birthday off, 7 sick/safe days, and up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
• New MacBook Pro and access to cutting-edge AI tools across the agency
• Sun-drenched penthouse Acceleration Hub on 5th Avenue in Flatiron—with commuter benefits and Citibike membership
• Dog-friendly office, regular team events (Field Day, Ski Club, Golf League, holiday celebrations), and a culture built around ownership and ambition

Location: This role is based at our NYC headquarters. You must reside or be willing to relocate within commuting distance. Our 4-day workweek schedule is in-office, Monday - Thursday.

Please be aware of fraudulent recruiters and scams. If you move forward in our recruitment process, you will only be contacted by the Direct Agents HR team. Questions? Email View email address on us.fitly.work