Director, SEM

The Director, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) leads paid search strategy, performance, and team development for complex client programs, ensuring measurable impact across the customer journey.

Location: Remote (US and Canada)

Salary: $92,000–$120,000/yr

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evolution of SEM strategy across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and other search platforms
• Own overall paid search performance, ensuring strategies align with client business objectives, revenue goals, and media efficiency targets
• Oversee campaign architecture, account structure, scaling strategies, and optimization frameworks across multiple accounts or lines of business
• Manage SEM budgets, forecasts, pacing, and performance against KPIs including CPA, ROAS, revenue, pipeline, conversion volume, and efficiency metrics
• Translate business and client objectives into measurable paid search strategies, testing plans, and execution roadmaps
• Lead advanced testing agendas across bidding strategies, audience segmentation, keyword expansion, creative messaging, landing page performance, and automation
• Analyze performance trends and synthesize insights into clear strategic recommendations for clients, stakeholders, and internal leadership
• Partner with analytics, strategy, creative, CRM, and marketing automation teams to improve measurement, attribution, audience strategy, and campaign effectiveness
• Ensure tracking, attribution, tagging, and data integrity are accurate, scalable, and aligned with reporting needs
• Provide strategic guidance to internal teams and clients on SEM best practices, platform changes, market trends, and growth opportunities
• Lead, mentor, and develop SEM team members, providing coaching, quality assurance, and performance feedback
• Establish processes, standards, and operating models that improve campaign execution, reporting, optimization, and team efficiency
• Support new business, account growth, and client planning by contributing SEM strategy, audits, forecasts, and recommendations

Requirements

• 7+ years of SEM / paid search experience, with demonstrated experience leading strategy across complex or high-budget accounts
• Proven ability to manage, scale, and optimize high-performing paid search programs tied to business outcomes
• Deep expertise in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, including bidding strategies, automation, campaign structure, keyword strategy, audience targeting, and optimization techniques
• Strong understanding of SEM measurement, attribution, conversion tracking, and performance reporting
• Experience managing large budgets, forecasting performance, and making data-driven investment recommendations
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable strategy
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder communication skills, including the ability to present complex performance insights clearly and confidently
• Experience working in an agency or client-service environment
• Proven experience managing, mentoring, and developing team members
• Ability to collaborate effectively across strategy, analytics, creative, CRM, marketing automation, and account teams
• Familiarity with CRM platforms, marketing automation systems, and downstream lead or revenue measurement
• Experience supporting account planning, growth strategy, or new business efforts preferred

Benefits

• Time Off & Flexibility – Flexible PTO, summer Fridays, paid parental leave, closed from Christmas to New Year’s
• Health & Wellness – Medical benefits, free Calm app access
• Financial Security – 401(k) with 3% company contribution, life insurance, disability, AD&D
• Learning & Growth – Professional development fund, continuous learning programs
• Tech & Perks – Company laptop, Wi-Fi & cell stipend, ChatGPT Enterprise Access, discounts

Additional Information

• Position requires candidates to be in Canada or the US without visa sponsorship.
• Marketbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Salary range for this role is $92,000–$120,000 annually.