About Ketchum

As a global communications consultancy with 100 years of experience, Ketchum is a trusted partner who is equal parts creative and analytical. Ketchum is a place where all perspectives and points of view are welcome and encouraged. We are a collection of communications specialists, content creators, creatives, researchers, data analysts, media pros, digital strategists, issues and crisis counselors, and tech nerds. And we love when those worlds collide to create the very best teams and solutions for our clients. We work with the world’s leading brands, emerging start-ups, and everything in between. We are beyond proud to have created some of the most celebrated and award-winning campaigns in our industry. We’re just crazy enough to think we can impact the world – and how it responds to ideas – through communication.

We encourage our employees to be curious, brave, inspiring, and a force for good. Let’s talk. Come belong at Ketchum!

Overview:

We are seeking a strategic, data-driven, and results-oriented Senior Manager of Paid Search (SEM) to lead and scale our paid search marketing efforts. This role will be responsible for managing all aspects of paid search campaigns across platforms like Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and other relevant engines. You will drive strategy, execution, optimization, and performance analysis, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable growth and ROI.

About the Job:

Strategy & Leadership

Develop and own the end-to-end SEM strategy aligned with overall business and marketing goals with internal client account teams and clients.

Identify growth opportunities, A/B testing strategies, and campaign innovations to maximize ROI and customer acquisition.

Manage and mentor a team of SEM specialists (internal or agency-based) to drive executional excellence.

Campaign Management & Execution

Oversee the creation, implementation, and optimization of paid search campaigns across multiple platforms and ensure budget pacing, campaign setup/creation, audiences targeting and search best practices are developed with driving growth and efficiency.

Manage large-scale budgets with a focus on efficiency, CPA/ROAS targets, and revenue impact.

Collaborate with content, creative, analytics, and product teams to develop high-converting ad copy, landing pages, and campaign assets.

Analytics & Optimization

Analyze performance data and generate actionable insights to continually refine campaign strategy with regular performance reports based on client needs.

Conduct keyword research, competitive analysis, and audience targeting to inform bidding and segmentation.

Leverage automation tools and scripts for scale and efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with SEO, social, display, affiliate, and lifecycle marketing teams for integrated campaign strategies.

Present campaign results and recommendations to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

5–7+ years of hands-on experience managing large-scale SEM campaigns.

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Business, Statistics, or a related field (MBA is a plus)

Proven success driving significant business results through paid search channels.

Deep understanding of search engine marketing platforms (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads), bidding strategies, audience segmentation, and attribution models.

Experience with data tools such as Google Analytics, Looker, Tableau, or similar.

Advanced Excel/Sheets and data analysis skills; experience with SQL a plus.

Experience managing or working closely with agencies or in-house teams.

Strong communication and presentation skills.

Previous health tech and/or technology experience and proven ability to shape complex stories for a broader audience.

Serve as primary contact to clients, playing a key role in managing account performance and driving accountability:

Provide senior-level account planning and strategic media counsel.

Manage projects, deliver the highest quality work on time and on budget, use/assess metrics, and provide timely progress reports.

Communicate clear, progressive direction to junior staff and work well across geographies with virtual teams.

Demonstrate full range of media and business communications knowledge:

Design and implement strategic programs and solutions – including proactive media campaigns and client product/news initiatives – with a keen eye for identifying and alerting teams and clients to trends.

Work with top-tier business and tech media, including proactive pitching and relationship management.

Utilize relationships to further clients’ business goals.

Deliver high-quality written and verbal content, present persuasively.

Be proficient at writing and editing materials, including client press releases, byline articles, correspondence, blog, social media content, and reports.

Build strong relationships, deal constructively with internal and external situations, and serve as a role model for outstanding client service.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skills and knowledge for successful performance would qualify. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing or a related field preferred.

5+ years of experience in a public relations agency or similar position; one year of basic supervisory experience.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, past training, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity and local geographic market data. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available. #L

What We Offer

Hybrid Workplace: Three days a week in the office

Robust benefits program, effective within 30 days of hire

Paid maternity/paternity leave

Family Forming Benefits

Employee Recognition Program

Generous paid time off includes vacation, wellness, and extended holiday schedule

Various development opportunities to enhance personal and professional life

Tuition reimbursement

Monthly Cell Phone & Wi-Fi reimbursement

Interested? We’ve got an opportunity for you.

Ketchum is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, alienage, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected class under federal, state or local laws.