Director, Search Engine Marketing Jobs

Explore Director, Search Engine Marketing opportunities for experienced digital marketing leaders ready to shape paid search strategy and drive measurable business growth. These directors oversee search engine marketing programs, guide teams, manage budgets, and turn campaign data into decisions that improve reach, qualified traffic, and revenue. Ladders features vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more.

What Does a Director of Search Engine Marketing Do?

A Director of Search Engine Marketing leads an organization’s paid search strategy across platforms such as Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising. The role may include setting campaign goals, managing agency or in-house teams, allocating budgets, improving account structure, and partnering with analytics, product, finance, and creative teams. Directors monitor performance and make sure search programs support broader acquisition and business objectives.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek substantial experience in SEM and digital acquisition, strong analytical and financial skills, and a record of growing campaigns at scale. Familiarity with keyword research, bidding strategies, conversion tracking, attribution, experimentation, and marketing analytics is valuable. Leadership, clear communication, and the ability to translate performance data into business recommendations are also important.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

Director-level SEM roles are available across technology, retail, financial services, healthcare, media, and other industries. Scope and compensation vary based on company size, location, experience, and team responsibility. Browse Ladders for vetted professional openings paying $100,000 or more, and compare opportunities that align with your leadership experience and career goals.

How to Find the Right SEM Director Role

Use Ladders to explore relevant openings and evaluate each role’s channel ownership, budget responsibility, reporting structure, team scope, and success measures. Highlight accomplishments with clear outcomes—such as improved return on ad spend, lower acquisition costs, increased qualified conversions, or successful team development—to show the impact you can bring.

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$190K - $215K *

Champion the future of energy development by leading regional strategies, managing utility relationships, and driving contract negotiations. This role balances strategic oversight with tactical execut...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

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2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

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3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$88K - $120K *

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6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

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3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $128K *

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2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$144K - $288K *

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Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$246K - $310K *

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5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$103K - $184K *

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6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

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3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$64K - $120K *

Elevate member engagement by providing expert education and support in commercial insurance, facilitating risk management solutions, and fostering strong relationships with brokers and clients across...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$140K - $160K *

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Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $150K *

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6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$75K - $107K *

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Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $190K *

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Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $135K *

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North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $135K *

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2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$132K - $170K *

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$200K - $250K *

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3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$127K - $237K *

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Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$120K - $145K *

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3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $190K *

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Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

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CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Search Engine Marketing do?question toggle

    A Director of Search Engine Marketing leads paid search strategy and execution, manages teams and budgets, and uses campaign performance data to support customer acquisition and business growth.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Director, Search Engine Marketing jobs?question toggle

    Employers generally look for significant SEM experience, leadership ability, analytical expertise, and knowledge of paid search platforms, measurement, attribution, and campaign optimization. Requirements vary by employer.

  • How much do Director of Search Engine Marketing jobs pay?question toggle

    Compensation depends on factors such as industry, location, company size, and role scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.

  • Where can I find Director, Search Engine Marketing jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Ladders to explore vetted professional Director, Search Engine Marketing openings with salaries of $100,000 or more.