Paid Media Strategist; Search

Dirigo Collective Paid Search Strategist Portland, ME
· Full time Apply for Paid Search Strategist

The Paid Search Strategist is responsible for executing and optimizing paid search campaigns that translate intent into meaningful results. Working closely with media account strategists and our head of strategy, this role combines hands‑on platform management with performance analysis and strategic thinking ensuring search efforts are efficient, transparent, and aligned with Campfire’s values‑driven approach to media.

Dirigo Collective is a boutique consulting agency at the intersection of content and performance marketing. From marketing strategy to developing performance content and strategic media amplification, our belief is that actions speak louder than words. We work to understand and activate the conscientious consumer and design ideas to improve the world for the common good.

Location: Hybrid 3 Days In-Office Portland, ME

Employment Type: Full-time

Campfire Consulting is a media strategy agency built on purpose, transparency, and performance. As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, we partner with brands and organizations that care deeply about how their message shows up in the world and how their media dollars move both their business and our culture forward.

At Campfire, paid search isn’t just about capturing demand. It’s about understanding intent and respecting the moment someone raises their hand.

We’re looking for a Paid Search Strategist who loves the mechanics of search, but also understands the bigger picture: how intent, messaging, budgets, platforms, and data connect across the full media ecosystem. This role is both hands‑on and thoughtful. You’ll be in‑platform daily, turning strategy into action and performance into insight the team can stand behind.

You’ll report into our managing director and collaborate closely with our paid media account strategists and head of strategy. This is a role for someone who sweats the details, asks good questions, and takes pride in making campaigns better week after week—not just bigger.

• Execute, manage, and optimize paid search campaigns across Google Ads and Microsoft/Bing Ads
• Analyze performance data regularly and translate it into clear insights, hypotheses, and next steps
• Act as a “boots‑on‑the‑ground” search expert, proactively flagging opportunities, risks, and performance shifts
• Collaborate with media strategists and account leads to ensure search aligns with broader channel strategy
• Support reporting and performance storytelling—helping explain what’s happening and why it matters
• Participate in regular check‑ins with search leadership to review monthly and quarterly trends across accounts
• Assist with onboarding and mentoring newer team members as the search team grows
• Support projects beyond your core accounts when needed—we operate as one team, not silos

• Thoughtful optimizations that improve efficiency and clarity
• Strong communication with strategists and account leads
• Fewer surprises, earlier insights, and better forecasting
• Campaigns that perform well and are easy to explain to clients
• A consistent bias toward learning, testing, and improvement—not shortcuts

• 2+ years of experience in a paid search, SEM, biddable media, or marketing analyst role in an advertising agency
• Hands‑on experience managing Google Ads and Microsoft/Bing Ads
• Comfort working in GA4 and connecting platform performance to on‑site behavior
• Strong working knowledge of Excel and Google Sheets for analysis, pacing, and reporting
• A genuine curiosity about performance. You don’t just look at numbers you interrogate them
• Interest in media trends, business, and how people actually search and make decisions
• Google Ads and/or Microsoft Advertising certifications are a plus
• Previous exposure to SEO or content strategy is helpful, but not required as campfire does not offer SEO services.

• Meticulous and organized. You notice the things others miss
• Thoughtful and collaborative. You enjoy working alongside strategists, not in isolation
• Calm under pressure. You can make…