SEM Lead

Posted 6 Days Ago
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Chicago, IL, USA
In-Office
Senior level
AdTech • Agency • Artificial Intelligence • Digital Media • Marketing Tech • Social Media • Analytics
PMG is a global, independent platform company engineered for impact.
The Role
Leads paid search strategy and campaign optimization for clients, managing budgets, performance reporting, data analysis, testing, partner relationships, and cross-channel collaboration. The role delivers actionable recommendations, drives adoption of PMG’s Alli platform, monitors SEM trends, and mentors team members while ensuring campaigns achieve client goals and measurable business results.
Summary Generated by Built In

We are PMG

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 forward-thinking problem solvers who thrive on crafting impactful campaigns that deliver measurable results. We work at the intersection of creativity, data, and strategy, helping our clients connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.

Collaboration is at the core of how we work. Our SEM team partners closely with media, creative, and analytics groups to uncover fresh opportunities and drive innovation. We’re committed to fostering an environment where every team member can grow professionally, contribute their ideas, and feel empowered to make a difference.

As an SEM Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping search marketing strategies, guiding your team, and building strong relationships with our clients. If you’re excited to lead and inspire while staying at the forefront of search innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

What You Will Do

  • Monitor and optimize search campaign performance, ensuring results align with client goals and budgets while implementing solutions to continuously improve outcomes.
  • Lead the implementation of paid search strategies, translating campaign activities into actionable business impacts for clients.
  • Create detailed client reports, tracking key metrics, revenue, and paid search initiatives while providing actionable insights to improve performance.
  • Analyze paid search data, turning insights into strategic recommendations that drive measurable results for clients.
  • Manage relationships with search partners, ensuring strong collaboration and alignment on key initiatives.
  • Plan and allocate monthly paid search budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources to achieve campaign goals.
  • Collaborate across channels, aligning paid search strategies with broader marketing initiatives, including PR, social, and programmatic efforts.
  • Drive adoption of PMG’s proprietary platform, Alli, working cross-functionally with internal teams to optimize its integration into paid search programs.
  • Stay informed on SEM trends and changes, sharing insights with the team and integrating innovations into strategies.
  • Lead a test-and-learn approach, driving continuous improvement in paid search strategies through experimentation and analysis.
  • Mentor and train team members, sharing best practices and technical expertise while fostering their professional growth.

What You Will Bring

  • 5+ years of experience in paid search, with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • Advanced expertise in managing paid search campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, delivering measurable results for clients.
  • Proficiency in data analysis, budget management, and reporting to optimize performance and ensure efficient use of resources.
  • Experience with testing frameworks, including A/B testing and creative experimentation, to drive campaign improvements.
  • Strong skills in implementing advanced strategies, such as keyword expansion, audience segmentation, and bidding optimizations.
  • Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel and Google Analytics to deliver actionable insights and detailed performance reports.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, ensuring alignment with internal teams and external partners on key initiatives.
  • A proactive approach to integrating paid search strategies with broader marketing efforts, driving consistency and impact across channels.
  • 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.

Skills Required

  • 5+ years of experience in paid search
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • Advanced experience managing paid search campaigns on Google Ads and Microsoft Ads
  • Proficiency in data analysis, budget management, and performance reporting
  • Experience with A/B testing and creative experimentation
  • Experience with keyword expansion, audience segmentation, and bidding optimization
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Google Analytics
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Ability to integrate paid search with broader marketing channels
  • Continual learning, customer focus, and adaptability
  • People-focused leadership and team mentoring experience

PMG Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about PMG and has not been reviewed or approved by PMG.

  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is described as generous, with a broad baseline of PTO, holidays, and personal days. Feedback suggests occasional extra time off has been provided during challenging periods.
  • Parental & Family Support — Support for families is emphasized through paid parental leave for various paths to parenthood and family-building benefits like fertility, surrogacy, and adoption resources. Feedback suggests return-to-work support further strengthens this area.
  • Strong & Reliable Incentives — Incentives are highlighted through broad eligibility for annual performance bonuses and memorable spot gifts. Feedback suggests these incentives help offset lighter base pay for some roles.

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The Company
HQ: Dallas, TX
1,000 Employees
Year Founded: 2010

What We Do

PMG integrates business strategy, media, creative, and data within a single operating model powered by our proprietary operating system, Alli. Developed in-house, Alli connects strategy to execution and execution to measurement—aligning people, systems, and accountability to drive measurable business outcomes.

Why Work With Us

With more than 1,000 employees across North America and Europe, 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 been recognized as MediaPost’s 2025 Independent Agency of the Year and Ad Age’s

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