SEM Associate Director, Paid Search Activation at Citi

New York, New York, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

27 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

27 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

SEM Strategy, Campaign Management, Operational Efficiency, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SA360, Adobe Analytics, Data Visualization, Risk Management, Compliance Frameworks, A/B Testing, Budget Management, Performance Optimization, Workflow Automation, Mentorship, Communication Skills

Industry

Financial Services

Description

Contribute to the development and championing of the overarching SEM strategy, aligning with business objectives and marketing goals. Assist the SEM Operations Lead in defining best practices for campaign planning and execution. Lead the implementation and continuous refinement of robust operational processes for SEM campaign management, including workflow automation and QA. Drive efficiency and scalability across SEM operations, overseeing billing and pacing controls. Oversee and contribute to the hands-on keyboard setup and execution of all SEM campaigns. Provide guidance and mentorship to the execution team for building, trafficking, QA, budget management, and reporting. Monitor and optimize a significant paid search portfolio against core campaign KPIs. Identify, analyze, and help pilot innovative technologies and strategies to enhance ROAS and unlock growth. Serve as a key subject matter expert for SEM technology platforms (e.g., Google Ads, SA360). Drive the adoption of advanced features, collaborating with data/engineering teams on scalable solutions for tagging and monitoring. Champion a culture of data-driven insights by partnering with analytics teams to develop comprehensive reporting frameworks and dashboards. Utilize these tools to inform strategic decisions and optimize campaign effectiveness. Work closely with Risk & Controls teams and the SEM Operations Lead to ensure all SEM activities adhere to stringent internal policies and regulatory requirements. Assist in building and enforcing a standardized QA framework. Help establish and enforce Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for campaign launches and invoice reconciliation to mitigate operational risk. Contribute to creating playbooks and identify opportunities for workflow automation and AI solutions. Ensure flawless trafficking of ad copy, creative rotations, sitelinks, and end-to-end tracking. This function is crucial for accurate campaign delivery and optimizing ad relevance. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as campaign launch accuracy and error rate reduction. Provide guidance to the team to achieve these metrics, driving continuous improvement in operational efficiency. Foster strong relationships with leaders across Marketing, Technology, Product, Legal, and Finance teams. Effectively communicate SEM strategy and operational needs to stakeholders, ensuring alignment. Manage relationships with Google, Microsoft, SA360, and other technology vendors. Negotiate contracts and influence product roadmaps, ensuring optimal service delivery. Provide significant guidance, mentorship, and thought leadership to other SEM team members. Elevate collective expertise and capabilities within the team. 6-10 years of progressive experience in SEM/paid search execution, including extensive experience in a leadership or senior role. Proven ability to drive operational efficiency in high-budget, highly regulated industries. Demonstrated experience managing significant execution teams and large-scale paid media budgets. Proven track record of driving substantial performance improvements (e.g., ROAS, conversion rates). Mastery of Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SA360, Adobe Analytics, Looker Studio, GA4, GTM, and related workflow tools. Deep expertise in SEM platforms and advanced bid strategies. Strong understanding of digital analytics, attribution modeling, A/B testing, and data visualization. Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Extensive experience with risk management, compliance frameworks, and navigating regulatory landscapes, especially within financial services. Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels. Exceptional organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects. Hands-on keyboard agency experience is preferred. Self-starter, partner-focused, and capable of maintaining a strategic vision while coordinating multiple projects. Resourceful, pragmatic, and forward-thinking, with superior attention to detail. Strong negotiator, comfortable in matrixed environments, and highly accountable. Bachelor's/University degree, Master's degree preferred ------------------------------------------------------ For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter. ------------------------------------------------------ Anticipated Posting Close Date: Jan 02, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of SEM strategy and lead the implementation of operational processes for campaign management. Monitor and optimize paid search portfolios against KPIs while providing guidance and mentorship to the execution team.