Senior SEM Manager: AI-Driven Automation & Growth

Apply; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Xero is seeking a SEM Senior Manager to shape the future of its global Paid Search program, combining hands-on SEM, automation and AI to drive scalable growth.

You will collaborate with Data Science, Marketing Technology and Product to turn complex performance challenges into scalable solutions and set the technical direction for the team.

This role requires a senior operator who can influence senior stakeholders, mentor peers and push the boundaries of search technology across markets.

Qualifications

• Deep, hands-on SEM expertise with multi-market management and modern bidding & automation.
• Proven technical builder capability designing automation or workflows to fix performance problems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for data-driven decisions.
• A proactive, solutions-first mindset that identifies opportunities and experiments.
• Clear communication to translate complex concepts for senior stakeholders.
• A collaborative, low-ego approach to elevate the wider team.

Responsibilities

• Evolve the technical foundations of the global SEM program for scalability and automation.
• Build and operationalise AI-powered workflows for optimisation, analysis, reporting and processes.
• Advance AI-driven SEM capabilities, including automated bidding with validation and guardrails.
• Deliver new automation opportunities turning manual SEM tasks into scalable solutions.
• Partner with Data Science, Marketing Tech and Product to connect data, AI and technology into the SEM ecosystem.
• Explore emerging search and AI capabilities to gain commercial advantage.

Skills

SEM expertise

Google Ads

SA360

Automation

Tools

Tray.ai

AirOps

n8n

Make

Zapier

OpenAI

Claude

Job description

Xero is seeking a SEM Senior Manager to shape the future of its global Paid Search program, combining hands-on SEM, automation and AI to drive scalable growth.

You will collaborate with Data Science, Marketing Technology and Product to turn complex performance challenges into scalable solutions and set the technical direction for the team.

This role requires a senior operator who can influence senior stakeholders, mentor peers and push the boundaries of search technology across markets.