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Sem Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Staples, Inc.

Manager SEM Quill

Lincolnshire, IL · On-site

Manager, Search Engine Marketing - Quill Work Model: Onsite, Lincolnshire, IL About Quill Quill is a Staples company focused on helping businesses succeed with the products, services, and solutions ...

Staples, Inc.

Manager SEM Quill

Lincolnshire, IL

Manager, Search Engine Marketing - Quill Work Model: Onsite, Lincolnshire, IL About Quill Quill is a Staples company focused on helping businesses succeed with the products, services, and solutions ...

Ovative group

Manager, Paid Search (SEM)

Chicago, IL

TheOvativeGroup Manager, Paid Search (SEM) position is an opportunity for an experienced candidate to take the next step in a leadership role at a fast-growing company that has the highest standards ...

GAF

Digital Marketing Consultant-SEO

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65 - $95/hr

Digital Marketing Consultant-SEO Location: Chicago, IL-Remote/Hybrid About Us: Predictive Sales AI is at the forefront of transforming the home services industry with AI-driven software. We empower ...

Cars

Director, Paid Search

Chicago, IL · On-site

It exists because SEM is an 8+ figure, business critical acquisition channel that needs a single accountable owner to drive volume and efficiency while navigating the shift to AI-driven search (AI ...

DAC Group

SEO/GEO Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Furthermore, they stay up to date on the latest search engine and AI updates and apply knowledge and experience of marketing strategy and search engine marketing concepts. The SEO/GEO Director will ...

DAC Group

SEO/GEO Director

Chicago, IL

Furthermore, they stay up to date on the latest search engine and AI updates and apply knowledge and experience of marketing strategy and search engine marketing concepts. The SEO/GEO Director will ...

Americaneagle.com

SEO Specialist

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Americaneagle.com is a family-owned web design, development, and digital marketing agency with a ... The SEO Specialist's primary function is to facilitate the day-to-day execution of organic search ...

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All JobsSem JobsSem Jobs in Chicago, IL

Sem information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$118K

$128.9K

$137.6K

How much do sem jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for sem in Chicago, IL is $128,869.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,700.00 and $134,000.00 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 Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Sem jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Sem jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

What job categories do people searching Sem jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Sem jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Sem jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Sem job openings:

Sem jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sem job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,869 per year, or $62 per hour.

Manager SEM Quill

Lincolnshire, IL • On-site

Staples, Inc.
Retail • 10K+ employees

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 637 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

458th of 737 rated retailers

Recommended by students

Respectful managers

Uninterrupted breaks

Learn more about Staples, Inc.external

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description


Manager, Search Engine Marketing - Quill
Work Model: Onsite, Lincolnshire, IL
About Quill
Quill is a Staples company focused on helping businesses succeed with the products, services, and solutions they need to operate effectively. The Growth Marketing team plays an important role in driving acquisition, order growth, customer value, and profitable performance across digital channels.
About the Role
Quill is seeking a Manager, Search Engine Marketing to lead the day-to-day strategy, execution, performance management, and optimization of its paid search program across Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, including Search and Shopping/PLA campaigns. This role serves as Quill's internal SEM owner and is accountable for ensuring the channel operates with strong analytical discipline, agency accountability, execution rigor, and alignment to acquisition, order growth, profitability, and customer value goals.
This is a manager-level individual contributor role with no direct reports today, but it requires leadership through influence, including directing external agency resources, coordinating cross-functional partners, and serving as a senior performance marketing thought partner across Growth Marketing forums.
What You'll Be Doing
  • Own the day-to-day health and performance of Quill's paid search program across Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, including Search and Shopping/PLA campaigns.
  • Lead the agency team responsible for SEM execution by setting priorities, defining deliverables, reviewing work quality, tracking commitments, and ensuring resources remain focused on the highest-value opportunities.
  • Conduct regular in-platform analysis to identify performance drivers and opportunities across queries, campaigns, products, audiences, devices, geographies, bids, budgets, impression share, CPC, conversion, feed health, and other relevant dimensions.
  • Diagnose unexpected performance changes quickly, develop hypotheses, isolate root causes, coordinate corrective actions, and escalate material risks as needed.
  • Own SEM pacing and tactical budget decisions within approved investment plans and established guardrails.
  • Develop and maintain an SEM testing and optimization roadmap covering campaign structure, bidding, creative, landing pages, feeds, promotional execution, and platform capabilities.
  • Partner with Marketing Analytics to connect platform performance to customer economics, lifetime value, incrementality, and broader business outcomes.
  • Create clear performance readouts, recommendations, and action plans for Growth Marketing leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
What You Bring to the Table
  • Strong SEM judgment and hands-on platform depth to independently evaluate performance, challenge recommendations, and diagnose issues.
  • Excellent project and program management skills with the ability to coordinate campaigns, promotions, deadlines, assets, dependencies, and stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to build hypotheses, work through platform data, and translate findings into business actions.
  • High ownership, strong problem-solving instincts, and a bias for early issue detection and timely escalation.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence peers, partners, and stakeholders without formal authority.
  • Comfort working in a performance-oriented environment with changing platforms, business priorities, and operating conditions.
  • Genuine interest in performance marketing, customer acquisition, e-commerce, and continuous improvement.
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, economics, analytics, or a related field.
  • Seven or more years of progressive paid search or performance marketing experience, including demonstrated ownership of scaled SEM programs.
  • Hands-on experience building, managing, optimizing, analyzing, and reporting on paid search and Shopping campaigns.
  • Demonstrated in-house experience managing an external paid media or SEM agency, including directing work, challenging recommendations, and holding partners accountable.
  • Experience managing or materially influencing a large-scale SEM program; experience with a significant monthly media budget is strongly preferred.
  • Advanced working knowledge of Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, including Search, Shopping/PLA, automated bidding, campaign structure, query analysis, and budget management.
  • Experience with retail or e-commerce performance marketing and product- or feed-driven advertising.
  • Strong Excel proficiency and demonstrated ability to independently analyze large or complex platform data sets.
  • Experience with testing and experimentation, including forming hypotheses, defining success criteria, and translating results into improvements in strategy or execution.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior direct people-management experience or substantial formal coaching or mentoring responsibility.
  • Working knowledge of paid social and SEO sufficient to contribute meaningfully in cross-channel discussions and identify areas of overlap with paid search.
  • Experience partnering with analytics teams on lifetime value, incrementality, attribution, customer segmentation, or marginal-return analysis.
  • Experience using SQL, business intelligence tools, or other analytical tools beyond spreadsheet analysis.
  • B2B e-commerce or business-customer acquisition experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the diversity of its people, products, and services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
We Offer:
  • Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
  • Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)
  • Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more! https://careers.staples.com/Staples-Life/Benefits

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.
#LI-LH1
About Us
Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Staples logo

About Staples

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Staples is the country's largest operator of office supplies superstores, offering a vast selection of products at low prices, primarily to small business owners. The company has a strong online presence and operates over 994 stores in the U.S. and 40 warehouses/fulfillment centers. The company was founded by Leo Kahn and Thomas G. Stemberg, and opened its first store in Brighton, Massachusetts on May 1, 1986. By 1996, it had reached the Fortune 500, and later acquired the office supplies company Quill Corporation. Staples provides office and school supplies, office furnishings, electronics, software, snack and beauty products, as well as offering printing and technological services. The company has a strong commitment to innovation and customer service.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Framingham, MA, US

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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