SEM Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: SEM Manager

🔹 Company: LendingTree

🔹 Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (In-office Tue-Thu)

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Charlotte, NC required)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Executing strategies to increase paid search traffic and revenue
• Managing paid search campaigns for LendingTree loan and banking products
• Collaborating with various teams to enhance conversion funnels
• Optimizing bids, spend, and reporting

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in paid search campaigns and experience working with cross-functional teams.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Execute strategies and initiatives to increase paid search traffic and revenue

✅ Manage paid search campaigns for LendingTree loan and banking products

✅ Directly handle account management, placements, ads, and bidding under the direction of team leaders

✅ Work with product, creative, growth marketing, and analytics teams to launch and track landing page conversion funnel and creative tests

✅ Contribute to the overall strategy and monetization of assigned vertical markets

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, campaign management, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 4+ years of experience executing and optimizing paid search campaigns across Google and Bing

Required Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint
• Working knowledge of Tableau
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills
• Proven ability to improve KPIs in paid search campaigns
• Experience with automated bid strategies (tCPA, tROAS, Maximize Conversions, Rule Based Bidding)
• Experience with Google Performance Max (a plus)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with machine learning-based approaches to improve marketing efficiency
• Knowledge of the online lead aggregation space

ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on paid search campaigns, a strong background in executing and optimizing these campaigns is essential. Familiarity with the online lead aggregation space is a plus but not required.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager with 4-10 years of experience in the Charlotte, NC area)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
• Employee discounts on LendingTree products

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with in-office presence required Tuesday-Thursday

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager with the required experience level in the Charlotte, NC area. Benefits are typical for a company of LendingTree's size and industry.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: LendingTree operates in the financial services industry, specifically in online lending and comparison shopping for loans, credit cards, savings accounts, and insurance.

Company Size: LendingTree has 51-200 employees, which means applicants can expect a mid-sized company structure with opportunities for growth and impact.

Founded: 1996, with a mission to help consumers find the best deals on loans and other financial products.

Company Description:

• LendingTree is the nation’s largest online lending marketplace, connecting consumers with multiple lenders to find the best deals on loans, credit cards, savings accounts, and insurance.
• The company was founded in 1996 by Doug Lebda after a frustrating house-hunting experience and has since expanded its offerings to include various financial products.
• LendingTree is a publicly-traded company (TREE) and has welcomed several other companies into its family to augment its efforts at helping borrowers make their most sensible financial choices.

Company Specialties:

• Online lending marketplace
• Comparison shopping for financial products
• Consumer financial education and tools

Company Website: https://www.lendingtree.com/

ASSUMPTION: LendingTree's focus on consumer financial education and tools sets it apart from other online lending marketplaces. The company's commitment to helping consumers make informed financial decisions is a key aspect of its culture and mission.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the manager level, with responsibilities for strategizing, executing, and optimizing paid search campaigns, as well as managing team members and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Reporting Structure: The SEM Manager will report directly to the team leaders and work closely with various teams, including product, creative, growth marketing, and analytics.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with in-office presence required Tuesday-Thursday each week. The candidate must be located in or near Charlotte, NC or have plans to relocate.

Growth Opportunities:

• As LendingTree continues to expand its offerings and enter new markets, there may be opportunities for the SEM Manager to take on additional responsibilities or move into a leadership role.
• The company's commitment to employee development and growth means that there may be opportunities for training and professional development.

ASSUMPTION: Given LendingTree's focus on growth and expansion, there may be opportunities for the SEM Manager to take on additional responsibilities or move into a leadership role as the company continues to grow.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: LendingTree's headquarters is located in Charlotte, NC, with additional offices in other locations. The Charlotte office is a modern, collaborative workspace with amenities such as an on-site gym, cafeteria, and game room.

Office Location(s): 11115 Carmel Commons Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28277

Geographic Context:

• Charlotte, NC is the largest city in North Carolina and the 17th most populous city in the United States.
• The city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and music venues.
• Charlotte is also home to several major corporations and is a hub for the financial services industry.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with in-office presence required Tuesday-Thursday

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while ensuring that the SEM Manager has the opportunity to collaborate and build relationships with team members and stakeholders in person.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-person or video interview with the team
• Case study or take-home assignment
• Final interview with the director or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Paid search campaign management and optimization
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with LendingTree's values

Application Tips:

• Highlight your experience with paid search campaigns and your track record of improving KPIs
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experiences
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively

ATS Keywords: Paid Search, SEM, Google Ads, Bing Ads, Bid Management, Optimization, Reporting, Campaign Management, Teamwork, Collaboration, Strategic Thinking

ASSUMPTION: LendingTree's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, as well as their cultural fit and alignment with the company's values. The process may include a case study or take-home assignment to evaluate the candidate's problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Ads
• Bing Ads
• Google Analytics
• Tableau
• Excel
• PowerPoint

ASSUMPTION: The SEM Manager will be expected to have a strong working knowledge of Google Ads, Bing Ads, and other relevant tools and technologies. Familiarity with Google Analytics and Tableau is also beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

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

Work Style:

• Fast-paced
• Entrepreneurial
• Collaborative
• Data-driven
• Results-oriented

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proven track record of improving KPIs in paid search campaigns?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
• Do you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills?
• Are you able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution?

ASSUMPTION: LendingTree values candidates who are customer-centric, data-driven, innovative, collaborative, and accountable. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and have a strong track record of improving KPIs in paid search campaigns.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The hybrid work arrangement may require some adjustment for candidates who prefer a fully remote or fully on-site work environment.
• The role may involve managing a team, which can present unique challenges and opportunities for growth.
• LendingTree is a fast-growing company, which can sometimes result in changes to the role or priorities as the company evolves.
• The competitive nature of the online lending marketplace may present challenges in terms of standing out and driving results.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement, team management responsibilities, and competitive nature of the online lending marketplace may present challenges for the SEM Manager. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and impact.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other SEM Manager roles, this position may have a greater emphasis on strategic thinking and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• LendingTree's focus on consumer financial education and tools sets it apart from other online lending marketplaces, which may result in unique opportunities and challenges for the SEM Manager.
• This role may offer more growth opportunities than similar roles at larger or more established companies, given LendingTree's focus on growth and expansion.

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares many similarities with other SEM Manager positions, LendingTree's unique focus on consumer financial education and tools, as well as its commitment to growth and expansion, may present unique opportunities and challenges for the SEM Manager.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a paid search campaign to drive traffic and conversions for a new LendingTree product launch
• Optimizing the bidding strategy for an existing paid search campaign to improve ROAS and reduce CPA
• Collaborating with the product team to A/B test landing pages and conversion funnels to improve user experience and drive results

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities for the SEM Manager at LendingTree. The ideal candidate will have experience with similar projects and be able to hit the ground running in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role?
• How does LendingTree support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does LendingTree measure the success of its SEM campaigns, and how can I contribute to improving those metrics?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the SEM team currently, and how can this role help address them?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help the candidate better understand the role, the team, and the company's priorities and challenges. The ideal candidate will be curious, engaged, and proactive in seeking out information and insights.

📌 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 with paid search campaigns
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Research LendingTree's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

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