Search Engine Marketing Manager (Remote, Durban)

Blacksmith Agency; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Blacksmith Agency is scaling its marketing division and seeking a Senior SEM Manager to own strategy, performance and client leadership across paid search, paid social, SEO and CRO. This is a remote, senior-level role with hybrid elements and active participation in sales calls to shape scope and recommendations.

You will drive roadmaps, oversee internal and external specialists, ensure measurable outcomes and deliver weekly QA and reporting for multiple clients.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years in PPC, SEO or multi-channel full-funnel strategy.
• Experience running paid and organic channels concurrently.
• Expertise with Google Ads, GA4, Google Search Console and keyword tools.
• Ability to build strategic client recommendations for accounts.
• Track record of overseeing execution teams and delivering quality.
• Sharp analytical skills and fast issue diagnosis.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy for all PPC and SEO clients across industries.
• Join sales calls to validate scope and pitch recommendations.
• Build 90 day, 6 month and annual growth roadmaps for each client.
• Own client performance across Google Ads, Meta, Microsoft and organic search.
• Audit PPC campaigns, bidding, landing pages and CRO opportunities.
• Oversee technical, on-page, and AI-driven SEO initiatives.
• Own KPI tracking, attribution and analytics accuracy.
• Give weekly direction and coordinate priorities with the marketing project manager.
• Present monthly and quarterly performance summaries to clients.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Leadership

Tools

Google Ads

GA4

Google Search Console

Keyword research tools

Paid media optimization

Job description

About The Role

Blacksmith Agency is scaling its marketing division to support a growing portfolio of PPC and SEO clients across multifamily, B2B and technical verticals. As Search Engine Marketing Manager at Blacksmith, you own strategy, performance and client-facing leadership across paid search, paid social, SEO and conversion optimization.

Blacksmith Agency

• Marketing
• Full time
• Remote (USA, Canada or South Africa)

This is a hybrid strategic and operational role. You join sales calls to shape strategy, oversee internal and external specialists, build performance roadmaps and make sure client campaigns deliver measurable outcomes. You own results, reporting, QA and continual improvement. It is a senior seat that blends analytical depth, strong communication and execution oversight.

What You Will Own

• Lead strategy for all PPC and SEO clients across multiple industries.
• Join sales calls with account executives to validate scope, pitch technical recommendations and help close deals.
• Build 90 day, 6 month and annual growth roadmaps for every client.
• Own client performance across Google Ads, Meta, Microsoft and organic search.
• Audit PPC campaigns, keyword strategies, bidding structures, landing pages and CRO opportunities.
• Oversee technical SEO, on-page SEO, link building, programmatic pages and AI-driven content.
• Own KPI tracking, conversion attribution and analytics accuracy.
• Give weekly direction and QA, and coordinate priorities with the marketing project manager.
• Present monthly and quarterly performance summaries to clients.

What You Bring

• 4 to 7 years in PPC, SEO or multi-channel full-funnel strategy.
• Strong experience running paid and organic channels at the same time.
• Expertise with Google Ads, GA4, Google Search Console, keyword research tools and paid media optimization.
• Ability to build and articulate strategic recommendations for clients and account executives.
• A track record of overseeing execution teams and managing deliverable quality.
• Sharp analytical skills and the ability to diagnose performance issues fast.

Nice to have

• Agency experience managing multiple clients at once.
• Experience joining sales calls and influencing close rates.
• Familiarity with multifamily, real estate or high-intent lead generation.
• Experience with AI SEO, programmatic SEO, technical SEO audits and CRO.

Who Succeeds Here

• People who think strategically and manage execution.
• People who simplify complex marketing ideas for clients.
• People who own results and take full accountability.
• People who work well with distributed teams.
• People who enjoy building rather than inheriting polished systems.