Senior Manager, SEM

Marketbridge; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time Off & Flexibility

Health & Wellness

Financial Security

Learning & Growth

Tech & Perks

Job summary

Marketbridge is seeking a Senior Manager, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) to lead paid search strategy across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads for multi-account clients. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on SEM expertise to drive demand, pipeline, and revenue impact.

You will mentor SEM team members, shape testing roadmaps, and collaborate with analytics, strategy, and CRM teams to scale campaigns while maintaining CPA and ROAS targets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of SEM / paid search experience, including experience managing complex campaigns and multiple client accounts.

Responsibilities

• Lead SEM strategy and execution across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads
• Translate client goals into paid search plans with measurable KPIs
• Oversee campaign structure, targeting, bidding, and optimization
• Manage SEM budgets and forecast spend with CPA/ROAS targets
• Lead testing across bidding, audiences, ad copy, landing pages
• Apply automation and AI capabilities to improve efficiency
• Analyze trends and translate data into recommendations
• Collaborate with analytics to strengthen conversion tracking
• Partner with strategy, creative, CRM and marketing teams
• Identify opportunities to expand SEM programs
• Serve as senior SEM contact for clients and investments

Skills

SEM / paid search experience

B2B SEM experience

Campaign optimization

Budget forecasting

Analytics & measurement

Automation & AI in PPC

Cross-functional collaboration

Agency experience

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

GA4

Google Tag Manager

CRM platforms

Marketing automation

Job description

This is a remoterole,requiredto work inESThours.

Who We Are

Marketbridge partners with leading B2B brands to create unified Go-to-Market®systems that connectstrategy, AI, creativity, activation and measurement. With a team of 350+ across North America and Europe, Marketbridge supports clients worldwide, ranging from Fortune 1000 enterprises to venture-backed, high-growth companies across technology, financial services, healthcare, industrial and consumer sectors. For more information, please visitwww.marketbridge.comand followwww.linkedin.com/company/marketbridge/.

Who We're Looking For

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 SEMexpertise, translating client businessobjectivesinto 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.

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

Qualifications

• 5+ years of SEM / paid search experience, including experience managing complex campaigns and multiple client accounts
• Required: 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
• Google Ads certification preferred
• Experience contributing to new business pitches, account growth strategies, or client planning preferred

Our Culture & Our Core Values

Marketbridge supports Fortune 50 companies and global brands in redefining how they go to market.

How we work together matters just as much as the work itself. Our values shape how weoperateday to day.Be Kindmeans treating teammates with respect and showing up for one another.Be Openreflects how we collaborate, share perspectives, and give clear, honest feedback.Be Realspeaks to a culture of authenticity, where people can speak up and be themselves.Be Bravepushes us to challenge assumptions, think critically, and pursue ideas that lead toreal results.

You’lljoin a collaborative team focused on solving real problems for complex clients. From day one,you’llgain hands‑on experience, work closely with supportive leaders, and continue developing through meaningful client work and ongoing learning. We value accountability, curiosity, and ownership, and we trust people to take initiative and follow through.

Here,you’lldo meaningful work, alongside smart people, with room to grow as the business grows.

Benefits & Perks

At Marketbridge, we support our team with benefits that prioritize well-being, flexibility, and growth.Here’swhat you can look forward to:

• Time Off & Flexibility– Flexible PTO, summer Fridays, and paid parental leave (up to16 weeksfor birthing parents). Plus,we’reclosed from Christmas to New Year’s so you can fully unplug.
• Health & Wellness–Comprehensive medicalbenefitsand freepremiumaccess to the Calm app for relaxation and mindfulness.
• Financial Security–401(k) with a 3% company contribution* (US Only), life insurance, long-term disability, and AD&D coverage for extra peace of mind.
• Learning & Growth– A professional development fund($500)and continuous learning programs to invest in your career.
• Tech & Perks– Company-provided laptop & accessories,monthlyWi-Fi & cell stipend,ChatGPT EnterpriseAccessand exclusive discounts through Perkopolis.

Note: This position requires candidates to be eligible to work in the United Statesor Canada without visa sponsorship. Marketbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We aim to offer competitive andequitablecompensation based on factors such as location, relevant experience, skills, and market benchmarks. Theanticipatedsalary range for this role is$80,000 to $100,000.

Final compensation will bedeterminedbased on the successfulcandidate’squalifications, andadditionalflexibility may be considered for candidates whose experience andexpertisesignificantly exceed therole’score requirements.