Search Engine Marketing Manager

Our client, a certified US-based digital marketing agency, is seeking a Senior Manager for Search Engine Marketing (SEO & Paid Media) to lead their SEO and Paid Media teams. This role involves full ownership of the company’s SEO and Paid Media operations, managing the SEO Manager and Ads Manager, and overseeing their respective teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong balance of technical expertise and strategic insight in both SEO and Paid Media, capable of reviewing strategies, identifying gaps, and guiding teams toward improved performance. While not expected to perform every task personally, the Senior Manager is accountable for ensuring all work is completed accurately, on time, and meets client expectations.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead and manage the SEO and Paid Media functions, directly overseeing Managers and their teams to ensure workload management, quality assurance, and timely client deliverables.
- Maintain operational visibility and proactively identify technical, resource, process, and leadership gaps before they impact client outcomes.
- Ensure all client deliverables are owned, tracked, and completed according to agreed scopes and deadlines, with regular audits to prevent missed or substandard work.
- Develop and execute comprehensive search strategies that integrate SEO and Paid Media insights, fostering collaboration between teams to optimize keyword targeting, local search visibility, paid search campaigns, CRO, and AI-driven search opportunities.
- Establish and enforce rigorous quality control standards, including QA frameworks, SOPs, and error tracking, focusing on root-cause analysis and process improvements to minimize preventable mistakes.
- Collaborate closely with Customer Success Managers (CSMs) and cross-functional teams such as Web, Content, Creative, and Automation to align search outcomes with broader business goals.
- Own the accuracy and clarity of reporting, ensuring performance insights are actionable and reflect the latest industry trends, platform updates, and AI advancements.
- Drive innovation by integrating AI and automation tools to enhance research, analysis, QA, and productivity, and develop repeatable playbooks and SOPs based on successful strategies.

Required Qualifications

- 7 to 8+ years of experience in Search Engine Marketing, with substantial expertise in both SEO and Paid Media.
- Proven agency background managing multiple US-based client accounts and leading teams of Managers, Specialists, and Executives.
- Deep knowledge of technical, on-page, off-page, and local SEO, including Google Business Profile and Local Search.
- Strong proficiency in Google Ads, Microsoft Bing Ads, Local Services Ads, keyword research, search intent, competitor analysis, and conversion tracking using GA4, GTM, and attribution models.
- Experience with landing page optimization and conversion rate optimization (CRO).
- Familiarity with AI Search and answer engine visibility.
- Exceptional attention to detail with a strong focus on quality assurance and error prevention.
- Excellent analytical, reporting, and presentation skills.
- Fluent in English with confidence to engage in leadership and client meetings.
- Demonstrated ability to build and enforce systems, SOPs, QA frameworks, and accountability mechanisms.
- Up-to-date knowledge of Google algorithm changes, advertising platform updates, and evolving search best practices.

Tools & Technical Knowledge

- SEO tools: SEMrush, Ahrefs, Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, Google Business Profile, and local rank tracking.
- Paid media platforms: Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Local Services Ads, and relevant paid social platforms.
- Analytics and attribution: GA4, Google Tag Manager, Looker Studio, and lead/call attribution platforms.
- Operations management tools such as ClickUp or similar.
- Practical use of AI and automation for research, analysis, QA, reporting, and operational efficiency.

Ideal Candidate Profile

- A confident, mature leader with strong analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail.
- Holds high standards for quality and accountability, able to challenge experienced managers constructively without micromanaging.
- Calm and decisive under pressure, proactive in identifying and resolving issues before escalation.
- Effective communicator across technical teams, CSMs, clients, and leadership.
- Committed to continuous learning and adapting to the evolving search landscape.

Additional Information

- Location: Lahore (On-site)
- Experience: Minimum 7 years
- Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM PKT (Night Shift)

This role is ideal for a leader who thrives on strategic oversight, team development, and delivering measurable client outcomes across both SEO and Paid Media disciplines. Candidates primarily specialized in only one area or those preferring hands-on execution over leadership and system-building may find this role unsuitable.