Senior Manager, SEM

Marketbridge•Washington, DC

1d•$80,000 - $100,000•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) leads paid search strategy, execution, and performance across multiple complex client programs. This role combines strategic account leadership with deep hands-on SEM expertise, translating client business objectives into scalable paid search programs that drive measurable demand, pipeline, and revenue impact. The Senior Manager serves as a senior day-to-day SEM partner to clients, leads campaign planning and optimization, and oversees the work and development of SEM team members. This person will also help advance how Marketbridge approaches automation, measurement, testing, and paid search innovation across accounts.

Requirements

5+ years of SEM / paid search experience, including experience managing complex campaigns and multiple client accounts
Demonstrated B2B SEM experience, with a strong understanding of longer sales cycles, lead quality, pipeline contribution, and optimizing toward downstream revenue outcomes
Advanced hands-on expertise in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, including campaign structure, keyword strategy, bidding, automation, audience targeting, and optimization
Demonstrated ability to develop and manage paid search strategies tied to business outcomes such as leads, pipeline, revenue, CPA, and ROAS
Experience managing meaningful paid search budgets, forecasting spend and performance, and making data-driven allocation recommendations
Strong understanding of conversion tracking, attribution, tagging, and performance measurement, including experience with GA4 and Google Tag Manager
Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify performance trends, diagnose issues, and translate data into actionable recommendations
Experience developing and leading structured testing programs across bidding, audiences, ad copy, landing pages, and campaign architecture
Strong client-facing communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly explain performance, recommendations, and strategic tradeoffs
Experience working in an agency or client-service environment and managing multiple priorities across accounts
Experience mentoring, reviewing the work of, or managing junior and mid-level SEM team members
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and experience partnering with analytics, creative, strategy, CRM, marketing automation, and account teams
Familiarity with CRM platforms, marketing automation systems, and downstream lead, pipeline, or revenue measurement
Experience with landing page optimization and conversion rate optimization principles

Nice To Haves

Google Ads certification preferred
Experience contributing to new business pitches, account growth strategies, or client planning preferred

Responsibilities

Lead SEM strategy and execution across multiple client accounts, primarily across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads
Translate client business, demand generation, and revenue goals into paid search strategies, campaign plans, testing roadmaps, and measurable KPIs
Oversee campaign architecture, account structure, keyword strategy, audience targeting, bidding, creative testing, and ongoing optimization
Manage and forecast SEM budgets across accounts, ensuring appropriate pacing, allocation, and performance against CPA, ROAS, pipeline, revenue, conversion volume, and efficiency targets
Lead optimization and testing strategies across automated bidding, keyword expansion, audience segmentation, ad copy, landing pages, campaign structure, and emerging platform capabilities
Apply automation, AI-powered platform capabilities, and advanced bidding strategies to improve campaign efficiency and scalability
Analyze performance trends and translate complex campaign data into clear insights, recommendations, and optimization plans for clients and internal stakeholders
Partner with analytics teams to strengthen conversion tracking, attribution, reporting, and the connection between paid search activity and downstream pipeline or revenue outcomes
Collaborate with strategy, creative, CRM, marketing automation, and other media teams to ensure SEM is integrated into broader demand generation and go-to-market programs
Identify opportunities to expand SEM programs through new campaign types, audiences, platforms, testing strategies, and complementary media channels
Serve as a senior day-to-day SEM contact for clients, leading performance discussions, presenting recommendations, and advising on investment and optimization decisions
Ensure campaign setup, tracking, tagging, reporting, and optimization processes meet quality standards across assigned accounts
Lead and support SEM team members through workload management, campaign reviews, coaching, feedback, and ongoing skill development
Improve workflows, documentation, quality assurance, and processes that enable consistent and scalable SEM execution
Contribute SEM strategy, audits, forecasts, and recommendations to new business pitches, renewals, and account growth opportunities
Identify opportunities to expand existing client engagements based on performance trends, business needs, and emerging search capabilities