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Job DescriptionForbes Advisor is seeking a Head of Paid Search (SEM) to lead strategy and execution across the Forbes Advisor business. Reporting to the VP of SEM, this role will be responsible for driving scalable growth across multiple verticals, owning performance outcomes, and building a best-in-class SEM function.
This is a highly strategic leadership role requiring a proven track record of developing and scaling high-performing paid search programs, along with the ability to build, mentor, and lead a high-impact team. The ideal candidate brings a strong performance marketing mindset, thrives in fast-paced environments, and is comfortable navigating ambiguity while driving measurable business results.
Responsibilities
- Define and execute a comprehensive SEM strategy across multiple verticals, aligned to overarching business goals and revenue targets.
- Own performance outcomes, including revenue, margin, and efficiency metrics, continuously optimizing for growth and profitability.
- Be hands-on in the early stages by directly launching, managing, and optimizing SEM campaigns and ad accounts, setting the foundation for scalable performance and team processes.
- Build, lead, and scale a high-performing SEM team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Partner cross-functionally with product, analytics, engineering, content, and commercial teams to unlock new growth opportunities.
- Establish and implement best-in-class performance marketing practices, leveraging data, automation, and emerging technologies.
- Oversee relationships with key external partners, including search engines, affiliate networks, and technology vendors.
- Drive testing and experimentation frameworks, including A/B testing and landing page optimization, to improve conversion rates and user experience.
- Collaborate with internal teams to enhance tracking, attribution, and reporting capabilities.
- Provide regular updates to senior leadership on performance, insights, and strategic roadmap.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, competitive landscape, and platform changes to identify new opportunities for growth.
Requirements
- 8–10+ years of experience in SEM / performance marketing in a data-driven environment, with increasing scope and leadership responsibility.
- Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams in a fast-paced, growth-oriented organization.
- Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and business impact.
- Deep expertise in paid search platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Microsoft Ads) and performance optimization techniques.
- Demonstrated success managing large-scale budgets and delivering against aggressive performance targets.
- Experience working cross-functionally to influence product, analytics, and marketing roadmaps.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
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This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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