📌 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 hitting KPI goals
- Presenting search engine strategy and results to internal teams
- Managing relationships with Google Ads and Microsoft Ads 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 paid search, shopping, and other related 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 search engine budgets and determine investments 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 may require occasional overtime or weekend work to monitor and optimize campaigns, especially during peak shopping seasons.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: BA/BS degree
Experience: 2-5 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
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Certification in Google Ads
- Mastery of Excel
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with Adobe Analytics
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong understanding of Microsoft Excel is crucial for analyzing campaign data and making data-driven decisions.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $70,000 - $100,000 per year (Based on industry standards for SEM Specialists with 2-5 years of experience in the Irvine, CA area)
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
- Transit benefits
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with potential for overtime or weekend work during peak shopping seasons
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for SEM Specialists with 2-5 years of experience in the Irvine, CA area. 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 consumers, businesses, and hyperscale cloud providers.
Company Size: Western Digital has 10,001+ employees, making it a large enterprise with significant resources and opportunities for career growth.
Founded: 1979 (as General Digital; renamed to Western Digital in 1988)
Company Description:
- At the forefront of data storage innovation, delivering scalable solutions for the world’s hyperscalers, enterprises, and cloud providers.
- Offers a comprehensive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms under its Western Digital, WD, WD_BLACK, and SanDisk Professional brands.
- Committed to providing equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive environment.
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 extensive product portfolio and global presence offer numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for a mid-career professional with 2-5 years of experience in Paid Search and Shopping campaigns.
Reporting Structure: The SEM Specialist will report to the Senior Marketing Manager, eCommerce.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site in Irvine, California, with the option for remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand responsibilities and manage a team as the company grows
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects across various digital marketing channels
- Chance to learn and develop skills in data analysis, campaign optimization, and team management
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital's large size and diverse product portfolio provide ample opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Western Digital's Irvine office is a modern, collaborative workspace with on-site amenities.
Office Location(s): 5601 Great Oaks Parkway, San Jose, CA 95138, US; 951 Sandisk Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035, US; 44100 Osgood Rd, Fremont, CA 94539, US
Geographic Context:
- Irvine is located in Orange County, California, with a Mediterranean climate and abundant outdoor activities
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with numerous cultural attractions and a strong job market
- Western Digital's offices are conveniently located near major highways and public transportation
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break. However, the role may require occasional overtime or weekend work to monitor and optimize campaigns.
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital's offices provide a collaborative and innovative work environment that supports employee growth and success.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- Technical assessment of Excel skills
- On-site or video interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the Senior Marketing Manager, eCommerce
- Background check and offer extension
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:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your passion for search engine marketing and digital marketing strategies
- Prepare for the technical assessment by brushing up on your Excel skills and practicing campaign analysis
- Research Western Digital's company culture and values to show your fit for the role
ATS Keywords: Paid Search, Shopping Campaigns, Digital Marketing, Keyword Development, Budget Management, KPI Analysis, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Communication Skills, Excel Mastery, Adobe Analytics
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and goals.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Ads
- Adobe Analytics
- Excel
- Various digital marketing platforms and tools
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency during the interview process.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Inclusive
- Responsible
Work Style:
- Data-driven and analytical
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-focused and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in Paid Search and Shopping campaigns?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your strategy to changing market conditions or customer behavior?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Western Digital values candidates who are passionate about data storage solutions, collaborative, and committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing large budgets and hitting KPI goals may require strategic decision-making and strong analytical skills
- Collaborating with multiple internal teams may require excellent communication and project management skills
- Occasional overtime or weekend work may be required to monitor and optimize campaigns during peak shopping seasons
- Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in Paid Search and Shopping campaigns may require continuous learning and adaptation
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong technical skills, excellent communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other SEM Specialist roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work for a large, established company in the data storage industry
- Western Digital's extensive product portfolio and global presence provide ample opportunities for career growth and development
- This role may require more frequent overtime or weekend work compared to smaller companies or startups
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of stability, growth opportunities, and challenges that may appeal to mid-career professionals seeking to advance their careers in Paid Search and Shopping campaigns.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a global Paid Search and Shopping campaign strategy to drive eCommerce growth
- Analyzing campaign performance data to optimize spend and maximize ROI
- Collaborating with internal teams to create targeted ad copy and landing pages that drive conversions
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available to the SEM Specialist in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the eCommerce marketing team?
- How does this role fit into the broader digital marketing strategy for Western Digital?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the eCommerce team in the coming months, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the eCommerce marketing team?
- How does Western Digital support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company's culture and goals.
📌 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 experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for the technical assessment by brushing up on your Excel skills and practicing campaign analysis
- Research Western Digital's company culture and values to show your fit for the role
- Follow up with the hiring team 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.
