📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: SEM Specialist
🔹 Company: Western Digital
🔹 Location: Irvine, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-15
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Remote OK)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing global Paid Search and Shopping campaigns
- Collaborating with internal teams to acquire customers through digital marketing channels
- Developing target keywords and placements to accelerate eCommerce growth
- Aligning search engine activities with broader digital marketing strategy
- Managing search engine budgets and presenting strategies and results to internal teams
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of Paid Search and Shopping campaigns, as well as excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with various internal teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Build and manage global Paid Search and Shopping campaigns
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to acquire customers through digital marketing channels
✅ Identify and develop target keywords and placements to accelerate eCommerce growth
✅ Ensure search engine activities align with broader digital marketing strategy
✅ Own and manage search engine budgets to grow the business while hitting KPI goals
✅ Speak knowledgeably about KPIs such as impressions, clicks, CTR, CPC, CVR, conversions, impression share, and ROAS
✅ Present search engine strategy and results to internal teams
✅ Manage relationships with Google Ads and Microsoft Ads teams
ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong analytical skills to track and optimize campaign performance, as well as excellent communication skills to present findings to various stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: BA/BS degree
Experience: 2+ years of experience managing Paid Search and Shopping campaigns
Required Skills:
- Passion for all channels of search engine marketing, including Paid Search, Shopping, Performance Max, YouTube, and Display
- Certification in Google Ads
- Mastery of Excel (skill test required)
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with Adobe Analytics
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong understanding of digital marketing trends and best practices is likely expected for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $70,000 - $100,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Marketing Specialist role with 2-5 years of experience in the United States)
Benefits:
- Paid vacation time
- Paid sick leave
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life, accident, and disability insurance
- Tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a Marketing Specialist role with 2-5 years of experience in the United States. Actual salary may vary based on factors such as relevant education, certifications, and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Western Digital operates in the Computer Hardware Manufacturing industry, focusing on data storage solutions for various markets, including hyperscalers, enterprises, and cloud providers.
Company Size: Western Digital has 10,001+ employees, making it a large enterprise with established processes and a diverse workforce.
Founded: Western Digital was founded in 1970 and has since grown to become a global leader in data storage technologies.
Company Description:
- Western Digital is committed to powering global innovation and pushing the boundaries of technology
- The company offers an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms under its Western Digital, WD, WD_BLACK, and SanDisk brands
- Western Digital is a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world
Company Specialties:
- Big Data
- Cloud Storage
- Data Center Storage
- HDD
- Helium HDD
- Backup Recovery
- Data Federation
- Virtualization
- Personal Storage
- Cloud Computing
- SQL Data Storage
- VDI
- NVMe
- Embedded Storage
- Object Storage
- Software
- Storage Solutions
- and Data Technology
Company Website: www.westerndigital.com
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital's large size and extensive product portfolio indicate that the company offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level of the marketing career path, requiring a balance of technical skills and strategic thinking.
Reporting Structure: The SEM Specialist will likely report to the Marketing Manager or Director of Marketing and collaborate with various internal teams, such as PR, Marcom, Product Marketing, and eCommerce.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site but allows for remote work, offering flexibility for candidates who prefer a hybrid work arrangement.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Senior SEM Specialist or Marketing Manager role
- Expanding responsibilities to include additional marketing channels or regions
- Transitioning to a related role within the marketing department or another function within the company
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital's large size and diverse product portfolio present numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the marketing department and across the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Western Digital's Irvine office is a corporate environment with a mix of on-site and remote employees.
Office Location(s): 5601 Great Oaks Parkway, San Jose, CA 95138, US
Geographic Context:
- Irvine is located in Orange County, California, with a population of approximately 300,000 people
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with numerous parks, beaches, and outdoor recreation opportunities
- Irvine is known for its high-quality schools and safe neighborhoods
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital's Irvine office offers a professional work environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth, as well as the flexibility to work remotely.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- Technical assessment or case study
- On-site or video interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the Marketing Director or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical skills in Paid Search and Shopping campaigns
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Western Digital's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in managing Paid Search and Shopping campaigns
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your skills and qualifications for this role
- Prepare for the technical assessment or case study by brushing up on your Paid Search and Shopping campaign management skills
ATS Keywords: Paid Search, Shopping Campaigns, Digital Marketing, Keyword Development, Budget Management, KPI Analysis, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Communication Skills, Adobe Analytics, Excel Mastery
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital's interview process is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best candidate for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Ads
- Adobe Analytics
- Excel
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they are commonly used in Paid Search and Shopping campaign management.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Customer Focus
- Integrity
- Performance
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Customer-focused and results-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a passion for Paid Search and Shopping campaigns and a strong desire to learn and grow in this field?
- Are you comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and communicating effectively with various stakeholders?
- Do you have strong analytical skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions to optimize campaign performance?
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a strong focus on innovation, customer focus, and performance.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing global Paid Search and Shopping campaigns can be complex and time-consuming, requiring strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Western Digital's large size and diverse product portfolio may present challenges in terms of navigating internal processes and finding relevant information
- Working remotely may require additional self-motivation and time management skills to maintain productivity and engagement
ASSUMPTION: These potential challenges can be mitigated with strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other SEM Specialist roles, this position may offer more responsibility and autonomy in managing global campaigns
- Western Digital's large size and diverse product portfolio present unique opportunities for career growth and development within the marketing department and across the organization
- This role may require more frequent communication and collaboration with internal teams compared to roles at smaller companies
ASSUMPTION: The unique aspects of this role, such as its global scope and Western Digital's large size, make it distinct from similar roles at other companies.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global Paid Search campaign to drive brand awareness and customer acquisition
- Optimizing a regional Shopping campaign to improve conversion rates and reduce cost per acquisition
- Collaborating with the product marketing team to launch a new product line and develop targeted Paid Search campaigns to drive sales
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities for growth in this role, from strategic planning to tactical execution.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the marketing department?
- How does Western Digital support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Western Digital measure the success of its Paid Search and Shopping campaigns, and how does this role contribute to those metrics?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the marketing department, and how can this role help address them?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the company, as well as to assess cultural fit and alignment with Western Digital's values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your skills and qualifications for this role
- Prepare for the technical assessment or case study by brushing up on your Paid Search and Shopping campaign management skills
- Research Western Digital's products, services, and competitors to demonstrate your understanding of the industry and the company
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
