📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager of SEM
🔹 Company: Gen
🔹 Location: Tempe, Arizona (Remote/Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 5, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (50% at least working from the office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team of media buyers and driving growth within the SEM channel
- Dedicating approximately 50% of time to managing and scaling the SEM channel
- Serving as the primary point of accountability and escalation for platform teams
- Aligning and coordinating business priorities with cross-functional partners
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on data-driven decision making and team leadership.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Oversee strategy and performance for a team of 4-6 individual contributor media buyers within the SEM channel
✅ Dedicate approximately 50% of time to managing and scaling the SEM channel through strategic initiatives
✅ Serve as the primary point of accountability and escalation for platform teams
✅ Align and coordinate business priorities with cross-functional partners, including analytics, product, and content teams
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, team management, and hands-on execution, with a strong focus on data analysis and interpretation.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: 5-8 years of experience managing media or paid social teams, ideally within the digital media or personal finance industry
Required Skills:
- Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data, identify trends, and drive data-informed decisions
- Proficiency with tools such as Google Ads and Tableau
- Strategic thinking and a proven ability to develop and execute long-term channel growth strategies
- Leadership and team management skills with a track record of mentoring and developing high-performing teams
- Technical proficiency in SEM best practices including keyword research, ad copywriting, bid strategies, and A/B testing. Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is a plus
Preferred Skills:
- Experience within the personal finance industry
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in media management, paid social, and SEM, with a proven track record of driving growth and success within these channels.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels)
Benefits:
- Health & Wellness – Access to medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, telemedicine services, and health savings accounts (HSAs)
- Financial Security – 401(k) retirement plan participation, company-paid life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, plus opportunities to invest through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Work-Life Balance – Generous paid time off (PTO), company holidays, and various leave options to support personal and family needs
- Professional Development – Annual education reimbursement (up to $5,250) for job-related courses
- Wellness Reimbursement – Up to $450 per year to cover fitness-related expenses
- Additional Perks – Access to commuter spending accounts, legal assistance plans, family support services, and exclusive employee discounts
Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (50% at least working from the office)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Actual salary may vary depending on factors such as candidate qualifications and company performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Computer and Network Security
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Large enterprise)
Founded: 2001 (as Avast Software)
Company Description:
- Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) is a global company dedicated to Powering Digital Freedom through its trusted Cyber Safety brands, including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, MoneyLion, and more
- The Gen family of consumer brands is rooted in providing empowerment and safety for the first digital generations and now empowers people to live their digital lives confidently today and for generations to come
- Gen brings award-winning products and services in cybersecurity, online privacy, identity protection, and financial wellness to nearly 500 million users in more than 150 countries
Company Specialties:
- Cybersecurity
- Online Privacy
- Identity Protection
- Financial Wellness
Company Website: https://www.gendigital.com/
ASSUMPTION: Gen is a large enterprise with a global presence, offering a wide range of products and services focused on digital safety and empowerment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to Senior
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the VP of Publisher Partnerships and Media
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (50% at least working from the office)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into a Director or VP role within the SEM channel or related marketing functions
- Opportunities to expand skills and knowledge through cross-functional collaboration and professional development initiatives
- Potential to grow the SEM team and take on additional responsibilities as the channel expands
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the SEM channel and related marketing functions.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (50% at least working from the office)
Office Location(s): Tempe, Arizona (with additional offices in Mountain View, California; Plano, Texas; and New York, New York)
Geographic Context:
- Tempe, Arizona: A suburban city located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with a growing tech industry
- Mountain View, California: A city in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for its tech industry and high cost of living
- Plano, Texas: A suburban city located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with a strong job market
- New York, New York: A major global city with a fast-paced, competitive job market and a high cost of living
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (50% at least working from the office)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration and team building.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and potential team members
- Final interview with the VP of Publisher Partnerships and Media
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Data analysis and interpretation abilities
- Leadership and team management skills
- Technical proficiency in SEM best practices
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in media management, paid social, and SEM
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of data analysis and interpretation
- Showcase leadership and team management skills through examples of mentoring and developing high-performing teams
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on leadership, team management, and strategic thinking
ATS Keywords: SEM, media management, paid social, Google Ads, Tableau, strategic thinking, leadership, team management, keyword research, ad copywriting, bid strategies, A/B testing, HTML, CSS
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing strategic thinking, data analysis, leadership, and technical skills, with a strong emphasis on cultural fit and alignment with company values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Tableau
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency with Google Ads and Tableau is required, while familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is a plus.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empowerment: Providing individuals with the tools and knowledge to live their digital lives confidently
- Safety: Protecting users from digital threats and ensuring their online experiences are secure and private
- Innovation: Continuously improving and evolving products and services to meet the changing needs of users
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Working closely with cross-functional teams to align business priorities and drive success
- Data-driven: Making informed decisions based on performance data and analytics
- Agile: Adapting to changing market conditions and user needs
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you empower your team members to take ownership of their roles and drive success within the SEM channel?
- Can you describe a time when you used data to identify trends and drive strategic initiatives within a media or paid social team?
- How do you foster a collaborative work environment that encourages open communication and continuous learning?
ASSUMPTION: Gen values empowerment, safety, and innovation, with a work style that emphasizes collaboration, data-driven decision making, and agility.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team of media buyers with varying levels of experience and expertise
- Balancing strategic initiatives with hands-on execution within the SEM channel
- Aligning business priorities with cross-functional partners and coordinating efforts across multiple teams
- Adapting to changes in the digital marketing landscape and SEM best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role presents challenges related to team management, strategic planning, and adaptability, requiring strong leadership and communication skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other SEM Manager roles, this position offers a unique blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution, with a focus on data-driven decision making and team leadership
- Within the digital marketing industry, this role requires a strong understanding of SEM best practices and a proven track record of driving growth and success within the channel
- Career-wise, this role offers opportunities for growth and development within the SEM channel and related marketing functions, with potential progression into Director or VP roles
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution, with opportunities for career growth and development within the SEM channel and related marketing functions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a long-term SEM strategy to drive growth and success within the channel
- Conducting keyword research and optimizing ad copy to improve click-through rates and conversion rates
- Implementing A/B testing to identify and optimize high-performing ad creatives and landing pages
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects reflect the strategic planning, data analysis, and hands-on execution required for success in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the SEM channel, and how this role fits into the broader marketing organization?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of team members within the SEM channel?
- Can you provide examples of how the company fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the SEM channel?
- How does the company measure the success of the SEM channel, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are tracked and reported on?
- What opportunities exist for collaboration and knowledge sharing with other marketing teams and functions within the company?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions focus on understanding the team structure, professional development opportunities, company culture, and key performance indicators for the SEM channel.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to this role, including specific examples of media management, paid social, and SEM achievements
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on leadership, team management, and strategic thinking
- Research the company and industry to demonstrate a strong understanding of Gen's mission and the digital marketing landscape
- 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.
