📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Search Engine Marketing Manager (SEM)
🔹 Company: Yelp, Inc
🔹 Location: United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote Solely
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing paid search marketing strategy for a 7-figure monthly budget
- Optimizing campaigns to drive growth and maximize yield
- Analyzing performance metrics and conducting tests to drive efficiencies
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve portfolio management tools
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of search marketing, data analysis, and business acumen to succeed in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage day-to-day operations for paid search marketing strategy, including campaign setup, bid optimization, ad copy, and landing pages
✅ Analyze performance metrics using in-house SEM systems, Excel, Tableau, and SQL to drive growth and achieve performance targets
✅ Conduct tests on SEM best practices, such as portfolio expansions, traffic curation, and ad copy testing, to drive growth and efficiencies
✅ Evaluate test results using Excel and statistical significance calculators to determine success and make data-driven decisions
✅ Collaborate with in-house analytics and technology teams to improve portfolio management tools and conduct performance deep dives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of independence and self-motivation, as well as strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, statistics, computer science)
Experience: 4+ years of experience using Google Adwords and Bing Ads with large keyword portfolios and at least high 6-figure to 7-figure monthly search budgets
Required Skills:
- Deep understanding of automated search bidding strategies, including tCPA and tROAS
- Advanced proficiency with Excel (power user leveraging Vlookups, pivot tables)
- Ability to use SQL (a big plus)
- Excellent leadership and collaboration skills, including communicating, coordinating, building consensus, influencing without authority, listening, and being open to other perspectives
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with in-house SEM systems and Tableau
- Familiarity with the search ecosystem and latest trends and best practices
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, it is assumed that candidates should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $89,000 - $150,000 annually. You may also be offered a bonus and benefits.
Benefits:
- Effective your first day: Full medical, vision, and dental
- 15 days PTO (accrual begins on date of hire and increases with 2+ years of tenure thereafter), 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
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. Actual salary may vary based on individual location and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Yelp operates in the local search and online review industry, with a focus on connecting consumers with local businesses and service professionals.
Company Size: Yelp is a mid-sized company with approximately 6,000 employees worldwide. This size allows for a more agile and innovative work environment, with opportunities for growth and impact.
Founded: Yelp was founded in 2004 and has since grown to become a leading platform for local business reviews and recommendations.
Company Description:
- Yelp's mission is to connect people with great local businesses
- The company offers a platform for users to discover, review, and engage with local businesses, as well as for businesses to connect with customers and manage their online presence
- Yelp generates revenue through advertising and transaction services
Company Specialties:
- Local search and online reviews
- Mobile app development and user experience
- Data analysis and machine learning
Company Website: www.yelp.com
ASSUMPTION: Yelp's focus on local businesses and user experience makes it an attractive option for candidates interested in working in a dynamic and innovative environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level management career stage, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.
Reporting Structure: The Search Engine Marketing Manager reports directly to the Performance Marketing Team Lead and works closely with cross-functional teams, including analytics, technology, and other marketing teams.
Work Arrangement: This is a full-time remote role based in the United States, with flexibility for work-from-home arrangements.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to senior management or leadership roles within the marketing department
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional marketing channels or teams
- Career transition to other departments, such as product management or data science, based on individual interests and skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for candidates with strong performance and leadership skills, as well as a passion for data-driven decision-making.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Yelp has multiple offices worldwide, with this role being remote and based in the United States.
Office Location(s): Yelp's headquarters is in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in other major cities worldwide.
Geographic Context:
- The United States has a diverse and dynamic job market, with numerous opportunities for growth and advancement in the tech and marketing industries
- The remote work arrangement allows for flexibility and work-life balance, with the ability to work from anywhere in the United States
- The United States offers a wide range of cultural, recreational, and entertainment options, depending on the specific location
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, with flexible hours to accommodate remote work arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement may require self-motivation and strong time management skills to maintain productivity and focus outside of a traditional office environment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- Technical assessment or case study
- Interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the team lead or director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical skills, including search marketing, data analysis, and Excel proficiency
- Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
- Leadership and collaboration skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Yelp's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for the technical assessment or case study by brushing up on your search marketing and data analysis skills
- Research Yelp's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment
- Practice common interview questions and prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer
ATS Keywords: Search Engine Marketing, SEM, Google Adwords, Bing Ads, Automated Bidding Strategies, tCPA, tROAS, Excel, SQL, Performance Metrics, Testing, Portfolio Management, Collaboration, Leadership, Business Acumen
ASSUMPTION: Yelp's application process may vary depending on the specific role and department, but generally follows a structured and comprehensive approach to assess candidates' skills and fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Adwords
- Bing Ads
- Excel
- Tableau
- SQL
- In-house SEM systems
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are specific to this role and may vary depending on the individual team's needs and preferences.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Play Well With Others
- Authenticity
- Do The Right Thing
- Think Big
- Be An Owner
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Innovative and creative
- Adaptable and flexible
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate Yelp's values in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment?
- How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, particularly in a remote work setting?
ASSUMPTION: Yelp's company culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making, with a strong focus on its core values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large, complex portfolio of search marketing campaigns
- Keeping up with the constantly evolving search ecosystem and best practices
- Balancing the need for growth and innovation with the need for cost-efficiency and optimization
- Effectively communicating and collaborating with cross-functional teams in a remote work environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are specific to this role and may vary depending on the individual's skills, experiences, and work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other Search Engine Marketing Manager positions, but may have a larger budget and more complex portfolio to manage
- Compared to other marketing roles, this position requires a strong focus on data analysis and optimization, as well as a deep understanding of search marketing best practices
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior management or leadership positions within the marketing department, or to other departments within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar roles in the industry, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and growth optimization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive testing strategy to optimize campaign performance
- Analyzing and optimizing campaign performance using in-house SEM systems and data analysis tools
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve portfolio management tools and processes
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are specific to this role and may vary depending on the individual's skills, experiences, and work environment.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role?
- How does this role contribute to Yelp's overall business strategy and growth objectives?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the search marketing team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the company?
- How does Yelp support work-life balance for remote employees?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's responsibilities, team dynamics, and growth opportunities, as well as Yelp's company culture and work environment.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for the technical assessment or case study by brushing up on your search marketing and data analysis skills
- Research Yelp's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment
- Practice common interview questions and prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team within one week of your interview to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
