Manager SEM Quill

Quill; Lincolnshire (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive culture

Flexible PTO

401(k) match

Job summary

Quill is seeking a Manager, Search Engine Marketing to own strategy, performance, and optimization for its paid search program across Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising. This role serves as Quill's internal SEM leader, partnering with agency resources and cross-functional teams to drive customer acquisition, order growth, profitability, and customer value.

This is a manager-level individual contributor role with no direct reports today, requiring strong channel expertise, analytical rigor, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Analytics, or related field.
• 7+ years of paid search or performance marketing experience.
• Experience leading a scaled SEM program with a substantial media budget.

Responsibilities

• Own SEM program across Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising (Search and Shopping/PLA).
• Lead agency partners by setting priorities and ensuring execution against objectives.
• Analyze performance and identify opportunities to improve acquisition, growth, profitability, and value.
• Diagnose performance changes and coordinate corrective actions.
• Manage SEM budgets, pacing, testing, and optimization initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing Analytics to connect results to business outcomes.
• Present insights and action plans to Growth Marketing leadership.

Skills

Paid search

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree (Marketing, Business, Analytics, or related)

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Advertising

Excel

Job description

Manager, Search Engine Marketing — Quill

Work Model: Onsite, Lincolnshire, IL

Quill is a Staples company focused on helping businesses succeed with the products, services, and solutions they need to operate effectively. The Growth Marketing team plays an important role in driving acquisition, order growth, customer value, and profitable performance across digital channels.

About the Role

Quill is seeking a Manager, Search Engine Marketing to own strategy, performance, and optimization for its paid search program across Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising. This role serves as Quill's internal SEM leader, partnering with agency resources and cross-functional teams to drive customer acquisition, order growth, profitability, and customer value.

This is a manager-level individual contributor role with no direct reports today. It requires strong channel expertise, analytical rigor, and leadership through influence.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own Quill's paid search program across Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, including Search and Shopping/PLA campaigns.
• Lead agency partners by setting priorities, reviewing recommendations, and ensuring execution against business objectives.
• Analyze performance and identify opportunities to improve acquisition, growth, profitability, and customer value.
• Diagnose unexpected performance changes, coordinate corrective actions, and elevate material risks early.
• Manage SEM budgets, pacing, testing, and optimization initiatives.
• Partner with Marketing Analytics to evaluate performance and connect channel results to broader business outcomes.
• Present performance insights, recommendations, and action plans to Growth Marketing leadership and key stakeholders.

What You Bring to the Table

• Strong paid search expertise with the ability to independently evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and drive results.
• Excellent analytical, project management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders and agency partners.
• High ownership and a bias for early issue detection and timely escalation.
• Comfort working in a performance‑oriented environment with changing platforms and priorities.
• Passion for performance marketing, customer acquisition, and continuous improvement.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Analytics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of paid search or performance marketing experience, including ownership of a scaled SEM program with a significant media budget.
• Advanced working knowledge of Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, including Search, Shopping/PLA, automated bidding, and budget management.
• In‑house experience directing an external SEM or media agency and holding partners accountable for performance.
• Strong Excel and analytical skills, with experience independently analyzing large platform data sets.
• Experience with testing and experimentation to drive strategy and execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior people leadership, coaching, or mentoring experience.
• Familiarity with SEO and paid social channels.
• Experience partnering with analytics teams on attribution, incrementality, lifetime value, or customer segmentation.
• Experience with SQL, BI tools, or advanced analytics platforms.
• Experience in retail or e‑commerce performance marketing.
• B2B e‑commerce or customer acquisition experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the diversity of its people, products, and services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate‑led Business Resource Groups
• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more! https://careers.staples.com/Staples-Life/Benefits

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.