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Search Engine Marketing Manager Jobs in Washington

SEM Manager

Alexandria, VA ยท On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Manage budget, forecasting, and monthly spend. * Build dashboards that turn CAC, CPL, ROAS, and ... Requirements * 5+ years in SEM / paid search, with advanced, at-scale experience in Google Ads ...

The Senior Manager serves as a senior day-to-day SEM partner to clients, leads campaign planning and optimization, and oversees the work and development of SEM team members. This person will also ...

Who We're Looking For The Senior Manager, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) leads paid search strategy, execution, and performance across multiple complex client programs. This role combines strategic ...

Senior Manager, SEM

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Who We're Looking For The Senior Manager, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) leads paid search strategy, execution, and performance across multiple complex client programs. This role combines strategic ...

Paid Media Manager

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$101K/yr

The Paid Media Manager supports the execution of marketing efforts, including search engine optimization (SEO), content performance, and social media initiatives, to help increase brand visibility ...

SEO Manager

Gaithersburg, MD ยท On-site

$108K - $162K/yr

As a SEO Manager, you will join a world-class digital marketing team on a mission to support prospects and clients throughout their journey, empowering them to interact with OpenText with ease and on ...

Develops integrated search plans across organic SEO and paid search (SEM), aligning keyword, content, and bidding strategies to business goals. * Identifies and prioritizes SEO opportunities ...

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Search Engine Marketing (SEM) * Develop and own the SEO strategy ... Manage paid social media advertising campaigns and optimize for engagement, follower growth, and ...

Lead Product Marketing Manager

$157K/yr

Overview of Opportunity We're looking for a Lead Product Marketing Manager to contribute to and own ... Nice to Have * SEO and SEM expertise so you can develop and execute comprehensive organic search ...

Conduct search engine optimization (SEO) audits and ongoing optimization efforts, including keyword research, content recommendations, technical SEO analysis, metadata management, and search ...

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Search Engine Marketing Manager information

See Washington salary details

$47.6K

$83.5K

$119.5K

How much do search engine marketing manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for search engine marketing manager in Washington is $83,467.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,200.00 and $94,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Search Engine Marketing Manager do?

A Search Engine Marketing Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing a company's paid search advertising campaigns, such as those on Google Ads or Bing Ads. Their main goal is to maximize the return on investment (ROI) by increasing website traffic and conversions through paid search strategies. This involves keyword research, ad copywriting, bidding strategies, performance analysis, and ongoing campaign optimization. They often work closely with other marketing professionals to align SEM efforts with overall business objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Search Engine Marketing Manager?

To thrive as a Search Engine Marketing Manager, you need expertise in digital marketing, data analysis, and campaign strategy, often backed by a degree in marketing or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as Google Ads, Bing Ads, Google Analytics, and various bid management platforms is crucial, and certifications like Google Ads certification are commonly expected. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and excellent communication skills help you design effective campaigns and collaborate across teams. These skills are essential for optimizing ad performance, driving ROI, and maintaining a competitive edge in online marketing.

How does a Search Engine Marketing Manager typically collaborate with other teams to achieve campaign goals?

A Search Engine Marketing Manager regularly works with cross-functional teams such as content creators, graphic designers, web developers, and data analysts. This collaboration ensures that ad copy and landing pages are optimized for both user experience and campaign performance. Additionally, SEM Managers align with marketing strategists to coordinate promotional calendars and share insights from campaign data. Open communication and teamwork are essential for quickly iterating on strategies and maximizing return on ad spend.

What is the difference between Search Engine Marketing Manager vs Digital Marketing Specialist?

AspectSearch Engine Marketing ManagerDigital Marketing Specialist
CredentialsRelevant certifications (Google Ads, SEM certifications), bachelor's degree in marketing or related fieldSimilar certifications, bachelor's degree often preferred
Work EnvironmentFocus on paid search campaigns, SEM strategy, analyticsBroader digital marketing tasks including social media, content, SEO
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in advertising agencies, e-commerce, tech companiesUsed across various industries for overall digital marketing roles
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for specialization in paid searchBroader role, less focused on SEM

The Search Engine Marketing Manager specializes in managing paid search campaigns and SEM strategies, requiring specific certifications and experience. In contrast, a Digital Marketing Specialist handles a wider range of digital marketing activities, including SEO, social media, and content marketing. Both roles often overlap but serve different strategic focuses within digital marketing teams.

Is a search engine marketing manager a high paying job?

A search engine marketing manager typically earns a competitive salary that varies by experience, location, and industry. Professionals with skills in paid search campaigns, analytics, and tools like Google Ads often have higher earning potential, especially with certifications and proven results.

What are popular job titles related to Search Engine Marketing Manager jobs in Washington?

For Search Engine Marketing Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Search Engine Marketing Manager jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Search Engine Marketing Manager jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Search Engine Marketing Manager jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Search Engine Marketing Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Search Engine Marketing Manager job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,467 per year, or $40.1 per hour.

SEM Manager

Alexandria, VA โ€ข On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Key Responsibilities
  • Own our paid search strategy and daily execution across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, spanning Search, Performance Max, Demand Gen, and Shopping.
  • Run multilingual campaigns across multiple markets.
  • Use AI to scale smarter, steering Smart Bidding and Performance Max, and using tools like scripts and LLMs to expand keywords, test ad copy, and flag anomalies.
  • Push us toward value-based bidding, connecting ad accounts to our CRM so algorithms optimize for real pipeline and revenue.
  • Own conversion tracking and data quality, including Enhanced Conversions, server-side tracking, and attribution.
  • Own landing pages and CRO, running A/B tests with content, design, and product marketing to lift conversion rate.
  • Run structured experiments and turn results into an ongoing optimization roadmap.
  • Manage budget, forecasting, and monthly spend.
  • Build dashboards that turn CAC, CPL, ROAS, and pipeline data into clear insights.
  • Keep an eye on the market through keyword research and competitor tracking.
Requirements
  • 5+ years in SEM / paid search, with advanced, at-scale experience in Google Ads (Microsoft Ads a plus).
  • Handsโ€‘on experience using AI to scale campaigns, Smart Bidding, Performance Max, scripts, or similar tools.
  • Strong CRO skills and experience testing landing pages.
  • Sharp analytical skill, comfortable in Looker Studio, or similar (SQL or spreadsheet modeling a plus).
  • Solid understanding of conversion tracking, attribution, and value-based bidding.
  • Experience running campaigns across multiple markets and languages.
  • Background in a tech startโ€‘up or scaleโ€‘up, ideally B2B SaaS, with a good grasp of the full funnel and unit economics (CAC, LTV, payback).
  • Bachelor's or higher in marketing or another quantitative, testโ€‘driven field.
  • Excellent written and spoken English; German, French, or Italian is a plus.
  • A genuine growth mindset, you experiment fast, learn from what doesn't work, and keep pushing performance further.
Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing paid search strategies across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, with a strong focus on conversion tracking, data quality, and optimization. Proficient in leveraging AI tools for campaign scaling and performance enhancement in multilingual markets.

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