SEM Lead: Data-Driven Paid Search Strategist & Leader

PMG; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus program

Professional development

Generous time off

Parental leave

Retirement benefits

Healthcare coverage

Volunteering opportunities

AI tools and training

Job summary

PMG is seeking an SEM Lead in Chicago to shape search marketing strategies and mentor a growing team. You will drive paid search performance across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, translating data into actionable guidance for clients and internal stakeholders.

You’ll collaborate with media, creative, and analytics teams to ensure cohesive campaigns, manage budgets, and experiment with new approaches to elevate results while expanding PMG’s Alli platform adoption.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of paid search experience, with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Advanced expertise in managing paid search campaigns on Google Ads and Microsoft Ads.
• Proficiency in data analysis, budget management, and reporting to optimize performance.
• Experience with testing frameworks, including A/B testing and creative experimentation.
• Strong skills in keyword expansion, audience segmentation, and bidding optimizations.
• Proficiency in Excel and Google Analytics to deliver actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, ensuring alignment with internal teams and external partners.
• Proactive approach to integrating paid search strategies with broader marketing efforts.
• Customer-focused mindset and leadership potential for team growth.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize search campaign performance to meet client goals and budgets.
• Lead the implementation of paid search strategies and translate activities into business impact.
• Create client reports tracking metrics, revenue, and paid search initiatives with insights.
• Analyze paid search data and turn insights into strategic recommendations.
• Manage relationships with search partners for alignment on initiatives.
• Plan and allocate monthly paid search budgets.
• Collaborate across channels to align paid search with PR, social, and programmatic efforts.
• Drive adoption of PMG’s Alli platform across teams to optimize paid search.
• Stay informed on SEM trends and share insights with the team.
• Lead a test-and-learn approach to continuously improve strategies through experimentation.
• Mentor and train team members to foster professional growth.

Skills

Paid search

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

Data analysis

Budget management

Reporting

A/B testing

Keyword expansion

Audience segmentation

Bidding optimization

Excel

Google Analytics

Communication

Collaboration

Continual learner

People leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

Excel

Google Analytics

Job description

PMG is seeking an SEM Lead in Chicago to shape search marketing strategies and mentor a growing team. You will drive paid search performance across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, translating data into actionable guidance for clients and internal stakeholders.

You’ll collaborate with media, creative, and analytics teams to ensure cohesive campaigns, manage budgets, and experiment with new approaches to elevate results while expanding PMG’s Alli platform adoption.