- Job Title: SEM Manager, Subscriptions
- Company: Condé Nast
- Location: New York, NY
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Category: Media Production
- Date Posted: April 30, 2025
- Experience Level: 5-10 years
- Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and managing SEM campaigns for various subscription brands
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive subscriber growth
- Optimizing campaigns to maximize conversions and minimize cost per acquisition (CPA)
- Staying informed on industry trends and competitor activity
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of expertise in SEM and a strong understanding of the subscription business model.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- ✅ Lead and develop SEM campaigns for various subscription brands, collaborating with multiple teams
- ✅ Manage day-to-day SEM activities including keyword strategies, ad copy, and campaign optimization
- ✅ Drive SEM strategies around major events or moments
- ✅ Build and manage budgets and forecasts at the campaign, brand, and platform level
- ✅ Implement and analyze A/B testing to drive continuous improvement in performance
- ✅ Track and report on campaign performance, providing actionable insights and recommendations
- ✅ Educate stakeholders with SEM trainings, new best practice documentation, and wider team presentations
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple campaigns and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience: 3-5+ years of hands-on experience managing SEM/PPC campaigns with a proven track record of driving profitable customer acquisition
- Required Skills:
- Expertise in Google Ads, Microsoft Ads (Bing), and Apple Search Ads
- Strong analytical skills with experience in budget forecasting, campaign performance tracking, and LTV-based decision-making
- Experience with A/B testing frameworks, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and landing page optimization strategies
- Proficiency in Google Tag Manager, Mode, major analytics platforms, and SEM performance tracking tools
- Highly collaborative with strong problem-solving skills and a data-driven mindset
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with mobile app ecosystem
- Passion for subscription-based and e-commerce businesses
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in SEM at a subscription publisher, news site, or similar are strongly preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000 per year
- Benefits: Generous employee benefits package
- Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
- Working Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work in the future
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's skills, experience, and negotiation.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Media Production
- Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
- Founded: 1909
- Company Description: Condé Nast is a global media company producing the highest quality content with a footprint of over 1 billion consumers in 32 territories through print, digital, video, and social platforms. Its portfolio includes influential media properties like Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, The New Yorker, and more.
- Company Specialties: Publishing, fashion, luxury, digital, journalism, engineering, technology, media, advertising, creative, magazines, editorial, content, design, and editing
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid to Senior level
- Reporting Structure: Reports to the Global Senior Manager of SEO
- Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work in the future
- Growth Opportunities: Potential to grow within the SEO team or explore other opportunities within Condé Nast's diverse portfolio of brands
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: On-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work in the future
- Office Location(s): 1 World Trade Center, New York, NY
- Geographic Context: New York City offers a vibrant cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, and numerous job opportunities in the media and tech industries
- Work Schedule: Standard business hours with the possibility of flexible scheduling
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Online application, phone or video screen, in-person interviews, and a final decision
- Key Assessment Areas: SEM expertise, analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your SEM experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of successful SEM campaigns you've managed
- Research Condé Nast's brands and be ready to discuss how you can drive subscriber growth for their subscription businesses
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads, Microsoft Ads (Bing), Apple Search Ads, Google Tag Manager, Mode, major analytics platforms, SEM performance tracking tools, Google Sheets
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Excellence, Innovation, Collaboration, Integrity, and Inclusion
- Work Style: Fast-paced, collaborative, data-driven, and creative
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest SEM trends and best practices?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you optimized a campaign to improve conversions and reduce CPA?
- How do you approach collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple campaigns and stakeholders
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the media industry
- Adapting to changes in search engine algorithms and industry trends
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to an SEM Manager position at other media or subscription-based companies, but may differ in the specific brands and platforms managed
- The subscription business model requires a focus on customer acquisition and retention, which may differ from other SEM roles focused on e-commerce or lead generation
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing an SEM strategy for a major event or launch
- Optimizing a campaign to improve conversions and reduce CPA by 20%
- Collaborating with the creative team to A/B test ad creatives and landing page messaging
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits into it?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the SEO team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Condé Nast support the professional growth and development of its employees?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CondeCareers/job/1-World-Trade-Center-New-York-NY/SEM-Manager--Subscriptions_R-20089-1)
- Customize your resume to highlight your SEM experience and relevant skills
- Write a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and how your background makes you a strong fit
- Prepare examples of successful SEM campaigns you've managed and be ready to discuss them in the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to reiterate your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
