Lead SEM Manager (Remote, United States)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Lead SEM Manager (Remote, United States)

🔹 Company: The Zebra

🔹 Location: Austin, Texas, United States (Remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Scaling and optimizing paid search programs across Google and Bing
• Designing and executing experiments to improve efficiency and reduce CAC
• Analyzing performance across the full funnel using robust attribution frameworks
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate tracking and actionable reporting
• Continuously innovating and testing new tools, platforms, and tactics to evolve the SEM playbook

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and hands-on approach, with a strong focus on data-driven decision making and continuous improvement.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own and scale high-impact search engine marketing campaigns to fuel business growth

✅ Develop and execute data-driven paid search strategies across Google and Bing

✅ Continuously optimize campaign performance and uncover new growth opportunities

✅ Analyze performance across the full funnel, from click to conversion to revenue

✅ Collaborate with analytics and engineering teams to ensure accurate tracking and clean data pipelines

✅ Work with creative partners to craft compelling ad copy and visual assets that convert

✅ Surface insights and trends from campaign data and broader market signals to inform strategy and share learnings across the growth team

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a deep understanding of SEM and CRO, with a strong analytical mindset and excellent communication skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: 7+ years in performance marketing, with deep expertise in SEM and CRO across Google Ads and Bing in high-growth environments

Required Skills:

• Strategic and hands-on approach to SEM and CRO
• Proven success in keyword strategy, ad testing, audience targeting, and bid optimization
• Highly analytical, with strong Excel skills and experience in Looker, Tableau, and Google Analytics
• Collaborative and communicative, able to align cross-functional teams and clearly translate data into insights
• Experimentation-driven, with a customer-first mindset and emerging experience using AI tools for data analysis and decision-making

Preferred Skills:

• Certifications in Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager, and SQL
• Experience with AI prompts for data analysis and video/image generation
• People or agency management experience
• Landing page and display ad design experience
• Finance or insurance industry experience

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in SEM and CRO, along with excellent analytical and communication skills, will be well-suited for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $105,000 - $125,000 per year (AI-estimated, based on industry standards for this role and experience level)

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and stock option offering
• Health, dental, vision, and disability coverages
• End early Fridays (wrap up work at 2 PM CST on Fridays)
• Sabbatical program for tenured employees
• HSA offering + employer contribution
• Fertility support through Carrot
• $100 monthly wellness perk
• $300 pet reimbursement program
• 401k with match
• Unlimited PTO (paid time off) + flexibility to enjoy it
• Paid parental leave program
• Learning and development opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and a remote-friendly work environment

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an AI-estimated range based on industry standards for this role and experience level. The final salary amount will be determined based on a variety of factors, including experience, skills, internal equity, and insights gained throughout the interview process.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Insurance. The Zebra is the nation’s leading independent insurance comparison site, helping consumers identify insurance companies with the coverage, service level, and pricing to suit their unique needs.

Company Size: 201-500 employees. As a mid-sized company, The Zebra offers the benefits of a growing organization with ample opportunities for career growth and impact.

Founded: 2012. The Zebra has been revolutionizing the insurance industry for over a decade, with a strong focus on transparency and simplicity.

Company Description:

• Customer-centric approach to insurance comparison
• Dynamic, real-time quote comparison tool
• Data-driven and innovative culture
• Strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion

Company Specialties:

• Insurance comparison
• Agency
• auto insurance
• home insurance
• insurtech
• industry research
• UX

Company Website: The Zebra

ASSUMPTION: The Zebra's focus on customer-centricity, data-driven decision making, and innovation makes it an attractive place for growth-minded professionals.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior. This role offers significant growth opportunities for experienced SEM managers looking to make a substantial impact on a growing company.

Reporting Structure: The Lead SEM Manager will report directly to the Director of SEM and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including analytics, engineering, and creative partners.

Work Arrangement: Remote OK. Employees can choose to work remotely in the U.S., join the team in the Austin, Texas office, or opt for a hybrid setup.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a leadership role as the team expands
• Chance to work on high-impact projects that drive business growth
• Opportunity to learn and develop skills in a dynamic, data-driven environment

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for experienced SEM managers looking to make a substantial impact on a growing company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The Zebra offers a flexible work environment, with employees able to choose between working remotely, in the office, or a hybrid setup.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas

Geographic Context:

• Austin, Texas is a vibrant, growing city with a strong tech industry
• The Zebra's office is located in the heart of downtown Austin, offering easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities
• The city is known for its live music scene, diverse food culture, and outdoor activities

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a remote-friendly work environment

ASSUMPTION: The Zebra's flexible work environment and central office location make it an attractive option for professionals seeking a balance between remote work and in-person collaboration.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Recruiter screen (30 min): Introductory conversation to assess fit, interest, relevant experience, and logistics
• Hiring manager interview (30 min): Deep dive into SEM strategy, campaign ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and growth mindset
• Excel exercise (45-60 min): Real-time working session testing pivot tables, calculated fields, number formatting, and data sorting; followed by Q&A
• Final panel interview (75 min): Competency-based interviews with cross-functional team members focused on collaboration, communication, analytical thinking, and culture add

Key Assessment Areas:

• SEM strategy and campaign ownership
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Analytical thinking and data-driven decision making
• Growth mindset and continuous improvement
• Cultural fit and alignment with The Zebra's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your SEM and CRO experience, as well as any relevant industry or company-specific insights
• Prepare for the Excel exercise by brushing up on your Excel skills and practicing data analysis and manipulation
• Research The Zebra's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit and alignment with the organization
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process to showcase your interest and engagement with the role and company

ATS Keywords: SEM, CRO, Google Ads, Bing, keyword strategy, ad testing, audience targeting, bid optimization, Excel, Looker, Tableau, Google Analytics, data analysis, collaboration, communication, AI tools

ASSUMPTION: The Zebra's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and mission.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Ads
• Bing Ads
• Google Analytics
• Looker
• Tableau
• Excel
• SQL
• AI tools for data analysis and decision-making

ASSUMPTION: The Lead SEM Manager will be expected to have a strong working knowledge of the tools and technologies listed above, with a willingness to learn and adapt to new tools as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-centric
• Data-driven
• Innovative
• Collaborative
• Inclusive

Work Style:

• Data-driven and analytical
• Collaborative and communicative
• Continuously learning and improving
• Flexible and adaptable
• Customer-focused

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach data-driven decision making in your current role?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve a common goal?
• How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and new tools in the SEM space?

ASSUMPTION: The Zebra values candidates who are strong cultural fits, with a customer-centric mindset, data-driven approach, and a willingness to collaborate and learn.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a high-volume, high-stakes SEM budget
• Keeping up with the fast-paced, ever-changing SEM landscape
• Balancing short-term performance goals with long-term strategic objectives
• Working remotely and maintaining productivity and engagement

ASSUMPTION: The Lead SEM Manager will need to be proactive, adaptable, and strategic to overcome these challenges and drive success in the role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on scaling and optimizing high-impact search engine marketing campaigns to fuel business growth
• Unlike other SEM roles, this position requires a strong strategic and analytical mindset, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation
• Career path comparison: This role offers significant growth opportunities for experienced SEM managers looking to make a substantial impact on a growing company

ASSUMPTION: This role is distinct from other SEM roles in its focus on strategic and analytical thinking, with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and innovation.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive SEM strategy to drive business growth for a new product launch
• Analyzing and optimizing campaign performance across the full funnel, from click to conversion to revenue
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate tracking and clean data pipelines, leading to actionable reporting

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and analytical nature of the Lead SEM Manager role, with a focus on driving business growth through data-driven decision making.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current SEM strategy and how my role would fit into that?
• How does The Zebra approach cross-functional collaboration, and how would I work with other teams in this role?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the SEM team currently, and how can I help address them?
• How does The Zebra support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in this role?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, relevant questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest and engagement with the role and company.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your SEM and CRO experience, as well as any relevant industry or company-specific insights
• Prepare for the Excel exercise by brushing up on your Excel skills and practicing data analysis and manipulation
• Research The Zebra's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit and alignment with the organization
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process to showcase your interest and engagement with the role and company

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.