
Search Engine Marketing Manager (SEM)
Yelp · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Manage paid search strategy and campaigns.
- Analyze performance metrics for growth.
- Report on SEM portfolio performance.
- Innovate and test SEM best practices.
- Collaborate with analytics and tech teams.
About the role
About the Role
Yelp’s cutting-edge performance marketing team is on a mission to connect consumers with local businesses and service professionals. Our team drives growth and positive contribution margin by acquiring new customers and businesses, and maximizing yield and revenue from paid marketing channels. The team manages significant budgets, receives dedicated support from Google and Bing, and offers wide-open opportunities for growth. We are seeking an experienced Search Marketing (SEM) Manager with strong analytical skills, business acumen, and a deep understanding of Search Marketing to join our performance marketing team. You will optimize a 7-figure monthly SEM budget to drive marketplace growth.
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement. At Yelp, we value great people who bring diverse perspectives. This is a full-time remote role based in the United States.
What You'll Do
- Manage the day-to-day operations for our paid search marketing strategy, including campaign setup, bid optimization, ad copy, and landing pages.
- Analyze performance metrics from internal database tools, third-party systems, APIs, and data feeds to drive profit growth.
- Monitor and report on daily SEM portfolio performance using in-house SEM systems, conducting analysis with Excel, Tableau, and SQL.
- Create a roadmap for continuous innovative testing to drive growth and ongoing optimization for efficiency and performance targets.
- Conduct tests on SEM best practices including portfolio expansions, traffic curation, and ad copy testing.
- Evaluate test results using Excel & Stat Sig calculators to determine success criteria and statistical significance.
- Prepare, analyze, and communicate performance metrics for completed projects to the team and key stakeholders.
- Demonstrate flexibility in the evolving search ecosystem and stay updated on the latest trends and best practices.
- Collaborate with in-house analytics and technology teams for performance deep dives and to inspire new portfolio management tools.
What It Takes To Succeed
- 4+ years of experience with Google Ads and Bing Ads, managing large keyword portfolios and monthly search budgets of at least high six to seven figures.
- Deep understanding of automated search bidding strategies, including tCPA & tROAS.
- Exceptional analytical capabilities with the ability to translate trends into actionable insights and hypotheses.
- Advanced proficiency with Excel (e.g., Vlookups, Pivot Tables) is required. Proficiency with SQL is a significant plus.
- Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, statistics, computer science).
- Excellent leadership and collaboration skills, including communication, coordination, consensus building, influencing without authority, active listening, and openness to different perspectives.
What You'll Get
- Full medical, vision, and dental insurance effective on your first day.
- 15 days PTO (accrual starts on hire date, increasing with 2+ years tenure), 12 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday.
- Up to 14 weeks of parental leave.
- Monthly wellness subsidy.
- Work from home reimbursement.
- Flexible spending account.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan.
- Employee stock purchase plan.
- Compensation range: $89,000 - $150,000 annually, with potential for bonus and benefits.
Key skills/competency
- Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
- Google Ads
- Bing Ads
- Performance Marketing
- Paid Search
- Budget Management
- Data Analysis
- Excel
- SQL
- Campaign Optimization
Skills & topics
- Search Engine Marketing Manager
- SEM
- PPC
- Paid Search
- Google Ads
- Bing Ads
- Digital Marketing
- Performance Marketing
- Marketing Manager
- Yelp
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 4+ years of SEM experience, large budget management (7-figure), and proficiency in Google Ads and Bing Ads. Emphasize analytical skills and experience with automated bidding strategies.
- Showcase analytical prowess: In your application and interviews, provide examples of how you've used data analysis (Excel, SQL) to drive growth and optimize SEM campaigns. Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
- Demonstrate collaboration: Be prepared to discuss instances where you've effectively communicated and collaborated with cross-functional teams, influencing stakeholders and building consensus.
- Understand Yelp's mission: Research Yelp's business model and how SEM contributes to connecting consumers with local businesses. Align your experience with their growth objectives.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to campaign setup, bid optimization, ad copy testing, and utilizing tools like Tableau and SQL for performance deep dives.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for a Search Engine Marketing Manager at Yelp?
- As a Search Engine Marketing Manager at Yelp, you'll be responsible for managing day-to-day paid search operations, optimizing campaigns, analyzing performance metrics, developing testing roadmaps, and collaborating with internal teams to drive marketplace growth through SEM strategies.
- What experience is required for the SEM Manager role at Yelp?
- Yelp requires at least 4 years of experience managing Google Ads and Bing Ads with large keyword portfolios and high six to seven-figure monthly budgets. A deep understanding of automated bidding strategies and advanced Excel proficiency is also necessary.
- Is this a remote position and where is it based?
- Yes, this Search Engine Marketing Manager position is a full-time remote role based in the United States.
- What kind of analytical skills are important for this SEM Manager job at Yelp?
- Exceptional analytical capabilities are crucial. You need to be able to analyze performance metrics from various sources, identify trends, formulate hypotheses, and translate data into actionable insights for optimizing SEM campaigns and driving profit growth.
- What is the salary range for the Search Engine Marketing Manager position at Yelp?
- The compensation range for this role is $89,000 to $150,000 annually, with potential for a bonus and benefits. The actual salary offered will depend on factors like location and experience.
- What tools will I use as a SEM Manager at Yelp?
- You will utilize in-house SEM systems, Google Ads, Bing Ads, Excel (advanced proficiency required), Tableau, and potentially SQL for analysis and reporting. Collaboration with analytics and technology teams is also key.
- Does Yelp require a specific degree for the SEM Manager role?
- A Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as mathematics, statistics, or computer science is required for the Search Engine Marketing Manager position at Yelp.
- How can I best prepare my resume for this Yelp SEM Manager application?
- Your resume should prominently feature your SEM experience, specific platforms (Google Ads, Bing Ads), budget management scale, analytical skills, and any experience with SQL or Tableau. Quantifiable results from past campaigns are highly recommended.