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Sem Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Senior SEM Specialist

Southfield, MI · On-site

$71K - $88K/yr

The Senior SEM Specialist owns the performance of complex, high-impact paid search and YouTube campaigns and sets the standard for how SEM is executed at Brkthru. Reporting to the Account Director ...

SEO Specialist Perfect Afternoon seeks a talented, analytical SEO Specialist passionate about ... You will work closely with our development, content, and marketing teams to identify opportunities ...

SEO Specialist Perfect Afternoon seeks a talented, analytical SEO Specialist passionate about ... You will work closely with our development, content, and marketing teams to identify opportunities ...

SEO Specialist Perfect Afternoon seeks a talented, analytical SEO Specialist passionate about ... You will work closely with our development, content, and marketing teams to identify opportunities ...

Apex also offers recruitment solutions for other select professional skills and workforce needs Automotive Digital Marketing firm seeking an SEO Specialist II. The SEO Specialist II develops and ...

The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and ... Buscamos SEO Copywrite. ¿Qué harás? * Desarrollar contenido optimizado para SEO incluyendo ...

Assistmanagement in tracking marketing initiatives and milestonestodefine and implement search marketing strategies and activities. * Maintain,trouble shoot, and resolve SEO technical issues (Orphan ...

The Search Optimization Specialist reports to the Senior Digital Marketing Manager. The role. * Lead and implement firm-wide search optimization strategy across SEO, AEO, and GEO to increase organic ...

Lead digital marketing across the website, SEO and paid search, LinkedIn, email, account-based marketing, retargeting, and marketing automation. * Partner with Sales to define target accounts, lead ...

Knowledge of digital analytics and reporting tools, SEO and SEM best practices, CRM systems, and audience segmentation * Ability to interpret digital marketing performance data and use insights to ...

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Sem information

See Michigan salary details

$99.8K

$108.9K

$116.4K

How much do sem jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for sem in Michigan is $108,949.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,600.00 and $113,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a SEM specialist?

SEM specialists, or Search Engine Marketing specialists, are professionals who manage and optimize paid advertising campaigns on search engines like Google and Bing. Their main goal is to increase website visibility and drive targeted traffic by using strategies such as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, keyword research, and ad copywriting. SEM specialists analyze campaign performance, adjust bids and budgets, and ensure ads reach the right audience. They often work closely with SEO and digital marketing teams to maximize return on investment (ROI) and achieve marketing objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a SEM specialist?

To thrive as an SEM Specialist, you need expertise in digital marketing strategies, keyword research, campaign management, and typically a bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field. Familiarity with platforms such as Google Ads, Bing Ads, Google Analytics, and relevant certifications (e.g., Google Ads Certification) are crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top performers apart. These skills are vital for optimizing ad performance, maximizing ROI, and ensuring campaigns align with business objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by SEM specialists when managing multiple campaigns across different platforms?

SEM specialists often encounter challenges such as balancing budget allocations, maintaining consistent messaging, and keeping up with rapidly changing algorithms across platforms like Google Ads and Bing Ads. Managing multiple campaigns requires strong organizational skills to monitor performance metrics, optimize keywords, and ensure compliance with each platform's policies. Additionally, effective communication with clients or other departments is essential to align SEM strategies with broader marketing goals.

What is the difference between Sem vs SEO Specialist?

AspectSemSEO Specialist
Required CredentialsMarketing certifications, digital advertising experienceSEO certifications, web analytics knowledge
Work EnvironmentPaid advertising campaigns, PPC managementWebsite optimization, organic search strategies
Employer & Industry UsageAdvertising agencies, digital marketing firmsBusinesses with online presence, marketing agencies
Search & Comparison IntentPaid search, advertising strategiesOrganic search, website ranking improvements

Sem (Search Engine Marketing) focuses on paid advertising campaigns like PPC, while SEO Specialist concentrates on organic search optimization to improve website rankings. Both roles are essential in digital marketing but differ in methods and tools used.

How to become a search engine marketing specialist?

To become a search engine marketing (SEM) specialist, you should gain knowledge of digital marketing, learn how to use tools like Google Ads and analytics platforms, and develop skills in keyword research, ad copywriting, and campaign management. Earning certifications such as Google Ads Certification can enhance credibility, and gaining hands-on experience through internships or personal projects is valuable for building expertise.

What is a search engine marketing job?

A search engine marketing (SEM) job involves creating and managing paid advertising campaigns on search engines like Google and Bing to increase website visibility. SEM professionals use tools such as Google Ads and Bing Ads, analyze performance metrics, and optimize campaigns to improve return on investment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sem jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Sem jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Sem jobs in Michigan?

For Sem jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Sem job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,949 per year, or $52.4 per hour.

Senior SEM Specialist

Southfield, MI • On-site

$71K - $88K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Description:

About Brkthru:

Brkthru was founded with a client-centric philosophy in an industry where service is often overlooked. Our mission is to be the preferred partner of local advertisers and agencies, creating and managing successful paid digital media campaigns for local, state, regional and national brands in nearly every B2C and B2B vertical and industry. Our campaigns reach customers on digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers and digital TV.


We are guided by our core values and we center them in the hiring process and our workday to build teams that exemplify Positive Attitude, Caring, Contribution, Communication, and Trust.


Why Brkthru?

Brkthru is the leading digital media solutions provider to mid-market agencies and brands. Our trading works in 20+ different digital media platforms, but our client-first philosophy sets us apart, consistently earning us a 90% client satisfaction rating, and equally impressive client retention is proof. We are growing quickly, ranking for the fifth year in-a-row to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. 


The Opportunity:

The Senior SEM Specialist owns the performance of complex, high-impact paid search and YouTube campaigns and sets the standard for how SEM is executed at Brkthru. Reporting to the Account Director, this role operates as a senior individual contributor with deep platform expertise and strong ownership over campaign outcomes, and the ability to coordinate execution across AI-powered workflows and extended delivery teams.


This role is responsible for driving performance through strong strategy, disciplined execution, and clear decision-making. You are expected to stay ahead of your campaigns, identify risks early, and make adjustments that improve efficiency, performance, and margin.


You will also play a key role in shaping how the team approaches search. This includes evaluating new features, forming clear points of view on platform changes, testing emerging AI capabilities, and helping translate what works into repeatable practices across the team.


Responsibilities:

  • Own SEM campaign performance and portfolio outcomes. Accountable for the performance of complex, high-investment paid search and YouTube campaigns across the portfolio. Ensure campaigns pace correctly, maintain efficiency, and deliver on performance and margin goals. This may involve executing hands-on, directing AI agent tooling, or coordinating execution across extended team resources.
  • Maintain performance visibility and analytical discipline. Stay ahead of campaign performance through a consistent review cadence. Leverage AI-powered tooling and platform data to surface pacing risks, efficiency gaps, and margin opportunities early. Translate those signals into clear decisions and action.
  • Act as SEM subject matter expert and operator. Serve as the strategic and executional SEM lead for the portfolio. Translate business goals into search strategy, and make sharp judgment calls about when to execute directly, when to deploy AI agent tooling, and when to coordinate execution across extended team resources. Deep platform expertise is non-negotiable. This position needs to be hands-on capable at all times.
  • Lead and coordinate extended execution resources. Oversee the work of execution partners and extended team members contributing to the portfolio. Set clear standards for quality, turnaround, and adherence to Brkthru best practices. Serve as the connective layer ensuring all work meets client expectations before it reaches the account.
  • Own escalation and problem resolution for SEM. Serve as the primary escalation point for complex performance issues, tracking challenges, and platform changes. Resolve issues independently. That sometimes means jumping in yourself, redirecting an AI agent workflow, or course-correcting execution resources. Escalate only when there is meaningful business risk, with clear context and a recommended path forward.
  • Drive testing, innovation, and active adoption of AI tooling. Evaluate and actively use AI agents connected to Google Ads to manage campaigns, surface insights, and accelerate optimization. Stress-test these tools, identify what works, and help shape what the operator role looks like at Brkthru going forward. Your POV will influence how the broader team evolves.
  • Contribute to platform and practice development. Stay ahead of platform changes across search and YouTube. Form clear points of view on new features, automation strategies, and emerging capabilities. Help translate what's working into repeatable practices the wider team can adopt.
  • Maintain clear communication and upward visibility. Keep leadership informed of performance, risks, and opportunities without prompting. Provide clear updates with context and recommended actions. Flag budget constraints or resourcing gaps that stand in the way of results.
Requirements:

Experience:

  • 7+ years of experience in paid search, with ownership of campaign performance across multiple accounts
  • Experience using AI-powered tools to improve campaign management, analysis, or operational efficiency, with the ability to evaluate outputs and maintain accountability for results
  • Experience managing complex campaigns with accountability for pacing, efficiency, and performance outcomes
  • Experience working in a performance-driven, client-facing or agency environment
  • Experience coordinating work across extended execution resources or distributed teams while maintaining quality and performance standards

Skills:

  • Strong proficiency in SEM platforms (e.g., Google Ads, YouTube, SA360), including bidding strategies, campaign structure, and optimization
  • Ability to coordinate work across AI-enabled workflows and extended execution resources while maintaining quality, accountability, and performance standards.
  • Ability to manage campaign performance across pacing, efficiency, and margin, and take action to improve results
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into clear insights and decisions
  • Ability to identify risks early and resolve issues with minimal oversight
  • Clear and direct communication skills, with the ability to share insights and recommendations with both peers and leadership
  • Strong attention to detail and execution accuracy across campaign setup and optimization

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience with automation strategies (e.g., smart bidding, PMAX, scripts, AI-driven optimization)
  • Experience evaluating or implementing AI-powered marketing tools, agents, or workflow automation
  • Experience evaluating new platform features or contributing to testing frameworks
  • Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members
  • Experience contributing to process improvements or best practice development

Travel/Onsite Requirements:

  • In-person attendance is required for all company-wide offsite meetings (typically two annually), in alignment with company policy.
  • Additional travel may be required for team or department-specific offsites to support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and performance alignment. All travel will be covered in accordance with company expense guidelines.
  • Location: Our hiring strategy prioritizes proximity to key markets and business hubs to foster collaboration and better serve our clients. Candidates must reside within select locations and metro areas to ensure accessibility for travel, alignment with team operations, and for in-person collaboration. This approach allows us to maintain a strong local presence while supporting a remote-first work environment. Candidates based in the following hubs will be prioritized: Richmond, VA; Norfolk, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; Newport News, VA; Dulles, VA; Fairfax, VA; Raleigh, NC; Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; Tampa, FL; Orlando, FL; Miami, FL; Detroit, MI; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Toledo, OH; Chicago, IL; New Haven/Hartford, CT; Massachusetts near PVD airport or Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Albany, NY; New York City, NY (proximity to EWR, JFK, LGA airports); New Jersey; Wilmington, DE; Austin, TX; Dallas, TX 

Benefits:

  • This is a full-time, exempt position.
  • We are a remote and flexible workplace (yay no commuting).
  • Medical/ Dental/ Vision/ HSA and FSA/ Long Term Disability/ Life and AD&D/ and more….
  • Company paid Short Term Disability.
  • 401k Retirement plan with company match.
  • Pizza Fridays/ Hub Hangouts.
  • Reimbursement of Home Office Expenses.
  • A generous number of Holidays, PTO, and summer Fridays.

The base compensation range for the Senior SEM Specialist role is $75,000 - $90,000.


Brkthru Hiring and AI Usage

Brkthru welcomes candidates to use AI tools for proofreading or strengthening their resume, but submitting AI-generated cover letters, resumes, or work samples that do not accurately represent a candidate’s skills will be considered a red flag. The use of AI-powered 'whispering bots' or real-time answer-generation apps during live interviews is strictly prohibited.


All applications are reviewed by a human. Brkthru may use artificial intelligence (AI) and automated tools to assist in the hiring process, however, all hiring decisions are made by people.


Brkthru EEO Statement

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, age, family status, marital status, veteran or military status, the presence of a medical condition or physical or mental disability, height, weight, misdemeanor arrest record, genetic information, citizenship, hair (including texture or protective hairstyle), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, and encourage all applicants to apply.