SEM Manager

PMG; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Professional development

Generous time off

Parental leave

Retirement benefits

Fertility support

Healthcare coverage

Pet insurance

Lifestyle spending

Commuter benefits

Volunteer hours

AI tools training

Job summary

PMG is seeking an SEM Manager to lead a high-performing paid search team in Chicago. You will oversee strategy, optimize campaigns, and deliver measurable results across Google and Microsoft Ads while coordinating with media, creative, and analytics teams.

You’ll mentor staff, manage budgets, and report on performance to clients and internal stakeholders. This role offers growth, collaboration, and the chance to drive PMG’s Alli platform adoption.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in marketing or related field.
• 5+ years of paid search experience with proven results.
• 2+ years of people management experience with coaching and development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee search performance, monitoring and evaluating results to identify optimization opportunities and implement improvements.
• Lead the implementation of paid search strategies and campaigns, ensuring alignment with client goals and maximizing impact.
• Produce detailed reports that track performance metrics, revenue, and other paid search initiatives, providing actionable insights.
• Analyze campaign data and translate it into meaningful business impacts and opportunities for clients.
• Manage client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and ensuring strategies align with objectives.
• Plan and allocate budgets, overseeing monthly spend and ensuring resources are used efficiently to achieve goals.
• Align paid search strategies with other channels to create cohesive marketing plans.
• Drive adoption of PMG’s Alli platform to optimize campaigns cross-functionally.
• Stay ahead of SEM industry trends and integrate new practices into strategies.
• Lead a test-and-learn approach, continuously refining strategies to improve performance.
• Mentor and manage a team, coaching on best practices and fostering growth.

Skills

Paid search

Team leadership

Campaign optimization

Data analysis

Budgeting

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer focus

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

SQL

Google Analytics

Excel

Job description

PMG, a global independent platform company engineered for impact, integrates business strategy, media, creative, and data within a single operating model powered by our proprietary operating system, Alli. With more than 1,000 employees, PMG partners with brands including Apple, Nike, Dropbox, Experian, Sephora, and Whole Foods. Our work has earned top industry honors, including Cannes Lions and Adweek’s Media Plan of the Year, and PMG has won 40+ workplace culture awards, including being the only company to rank among Ad Age’s Best Places to Work for 11 consecutive years.

Who You Will Be Working With

At PMG, our Paid Search Marketing (SEM) team is a group of innovative thinkers and passionate problem-solvers dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals through impactful search campaigns. We partner with media, creative, and analytics teams to create full-funnel marketing strategies that deliver measurable results and push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital marketing.

Our team thrives on collaboration, curiosity, and a shared commitment to excellence. We foster an environment where ideas are celebrated, creativity flourishes, and every individual has the support they need to grow professionally and personally. As an SEM Manager, you’ll play a key role in guiding your team, shaping strategies, and building strong client relationships while driving meaningful results for some of the world’s most recognizable brands.

What You Will Do

• Oversee search performance, monitoring and evaluating results to identify opportunities for optimization and implementing solutions that drive continuous improvement.
• Lead the implementation of paid search strategies and campaigns, ensuring alignment with client goals and maximizing impact.
• Produce detailed reports that track performance metrics, revenue, and other paid search initiatives, providing actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Analyze campaign data, translating it into meaningful business impacts and strategic opportunities for clients.
• Manage client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and ensuring that paid search strategies align with broader business objectives.
• Plan and allocate budgets, overseeing monthly spend and ensuring resources are used efficiently to achieve campaign goals.
• Align paid search strategies with other channel initiatives, such as PR, social, and programmatic efforts, to create cohesive and impactful marketing plans.
• Drive adoption of PMG’s proprietary platform, Alli, leveraging its capabilities to optimize campaigns and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance its effectiveness.
• Stay ahead of SEM industry trends, sharing insights with the team and integrating new practices and innovations into strategies.
• Lead a test-and-learn approach, continuously experimenting and refining paid search strategies to improve performance.
• Mentor and manage a team, providing training on best practices, coaching technical and soft skills, and fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.

What You Will Bring

• 5+ years of experience in paid search, with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of people management experience, with strong skills in mentoring, training, and guiding team members to achieve their potential.
• Advanced expertise in managing paid search platforms such as Google Ads, and Microsoft Ads, delivering measurable results for clients.
• Proficiency in campaign management, including keyword research, ad copy optimization, and bidding strategies tailored to client goals.
• Strong ability to analyze performance data, delivering actionable insights and strategic recommendations to improve campaign outcomes.
• Expertise in budget planning, optimization, and performance analysis to ensure efficient use of resources and maximize ROI.
• Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, and SQL to manage data, uncover valuable insights, and create clear, actionable performance reports.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, enabling you to identify opportunities for improvement and implement impactful solutions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, ensuring alignment with internal teams and clients on campaign goals.
• A proactive approach to integrating paid search strategies with broader marketing efforts, including PR, social, and programmatic campaigns.
• A commitment to curiosity and adaptability as a continual learner, staying at the forefront of media innovation while prioritizing client success with a customer-focused mindset that seeks opportunities to deliver meaningful value.
• A dedication to people-focused leadership, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth by leading by example and nurturing strong relationships that empower others to excel

What We Offer

Performance-Based Rewards: Your impact should be part of your reward. This role is eligible for PMG’s annual bonus program—a standout part of our total compensation offering and an opportunity to share in our success. Bonus awards are informed by individual impact and performance, as well as team and company results, and are subject to applicable program terms.

Professional Development: Keep growing through learning and development programs, mentorship opportunities, and support for career advancement.

Generous Time Off: Take the time you need to recharge, connect with loved ones, and enjoy life outside work.

Parental Leave: Receive paid parental leave during life's important family moments.

Retirement Benefits: Build for your future with competitive retirement benefits, including employer contributions or matching where applicable.

Fertility and Family Support: Access fertility and family-building benefits for eligible employees and their spouses or partners.

Healthcare: Choose from medical, dental, and vision coverage designed to support you and your family.

Pet Insurance: Access optional coverage for the four-legged members of your family.

Lifestyle Spending Account: Receive company-funded support for eligible health and well-being expenses.

Commuter Benefits: Access support for your commute where available.

Volunteering Opportunities: Receive eight paid hours each year to give back to your community.

AI Tools and Training: Access enterprise AI tools and ongoing training that helps PMGers use AI effectively, creatively, and responsibly.

Our benefits and compensation programs may vary by location and eligibility and are subject to applicable plan terms. We’ll share full details during the hiring process.

What Sets Us Apart

Being part of PMG means joining a company culture that’s unmatched in digital. We're dedicated to working hard to serve our employees and clients, delivering value, results, and innovation—which often requires true grit and agility. We believe in taking care of ourselves and each other to continuously improve in every way.

In alignment with our core values to be inclusive and always change for the better, PMG is committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that we only change for the better by bringing diverse perspectives to our company. PMG recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.