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SEM Specialist

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

  • Build and manage global Paid Search and Shopping campaigns.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to acquire customers through paid search, shopping, and other related digital marketing channels.
  • Identify and develop target keywords and placements that are needed to accelerate our eCommerce growth.
  • Ensure that our search engine activities are aligned with our broader digital marketing strategy, across social media, marketplaces, affiliates, and email.
  • Own the associated budgets for each of our search engines and determine the right investments that are needed to grow the business while hitting KPI goals.
  • Speak knowledgeably about KPIs such as impressions, clicks, CTR, CPC, CVR, conversions, impression share, and ROAS.
  • Present search engine strategy and results with internal teams, such as executives, PR, Marcom, Product Marketing, and eCommerce.
  • Manage relationships with Google Ads and Microsoft Ads teams.

Qualifications

  • BA/BS with experience managing Paid Search and Shopping campaigns.
  • Passion for all channels of search engine marketing, including Paid Search, Shopping, Performance Max, YouTube, and Display.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate across all levels of the company.
  • Certification in Google Ads.
  • Familiarity with Adobe Analytics is a bonus.
  • Mastery of Excel (skill test required).

Additional Information

Equal Employment Opportunity
Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (dol.gov)

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 3/13/2025 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.

#LI-BC1

Compensation & Benefits Details

  • An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
  • The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York.  This range may be modified in the future.
  • You will be eligible to participate in Western Digital’s Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance.  Depending on your role and your performance, you may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
  • Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
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CEO of Western Digital
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David Goeckeler
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Average salary estimate

$100000 / YEARLY (est.)
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$80000K
$120000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About SEM Specialist, Western Digital

Join Western Digital as a SEM Specialist in our vibrant Irvine, CA office, where innovation drives our mission to push technology boundaries. In this dynamic role, you’ll build and manage global Paid Search and Shopping campaigns that empower our digital marketing efforts. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, your job will involve acquiring customers through various paid channels while ensuring that our search activities align with our comprehensive digital marketing strategy. You’ll have the opportunity to identify and target essential keywords that will accelerate our eCommerce growth, all while managing budgets to achieve our KPIs effectively. You’ll speak fluently about crucial metrics like impressions, clicks, CTR, conversion rates, and others that tell the story of our campaign performance. Your creativity and analytical skills will shine as you present search strategies and results to teams at all levels, including executives. Bringing your expertise in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads management, along with a passion for the latest trends in search marketing - from YouTube to Display advertising - will set you apart. If you’re excited to contribute to a company whose technology powers everything from gaming experiences to advanced data centers, then your journey at Western Digital starts here!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for SEM Specialist Role at Western Digital
What are the responsibilities of a SEM Specialist at Western Digital?

At Western Digital, a SEM Specialist is responsible for building and managing global Paid Search and Shopping campaigns. This includes acquiring customers through paid search and ensuring that search activities align with the broader digital marketing strategy. You'll also develop target keywords, manage budgets, and communicate effectively across teams, including presenting strategies to stakeholders.

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What qualifications do I need to apply for the SEM Specialist position at Western Digital?

To qualify for the SEM Specialist position at Western Digital, candidates should have a BA/BS degree, experience managing Paid Search and Shopping campaigns, and a certification in Google Ads. Familiarity with Adobe Analytics is a bonus. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, along with proficiency in Excel.

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What is the work environment like for a SEM Specialist at Western Digital?

The work environment for a SEM Specialist at Western Digital is vibrant and collaborative. You'll work closely with various internal teams and have the chance to present your findings to different levels within the company, including executives, which fosters a culture of shared success and communication.

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How does Western Digital measure success for SEM Specialists?

Western Digital measures the success of its SEM Specialists primarily through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as impressions, clicks, conversion rates, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Achieving these metrics successfully contributes to the overall growth of the business and customer acquisition strategies.

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Is there room for growth and advancement within the SEM Specialist role at Western Digital?

Yes, there is significant room for growth and advancement for SEM Specialists at Western Digital. As you excel in your role, you may find opportunities to take on more responsibilities, lead larger campaigns, or transition into related roles within digital marketing.

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Common Interview Questions for SEM Specialist
What experience do you have with paid search campaigns?

Discuss specific campaigns you've managed, the strategies you employed, and the results achieved. Highlighting your understanding of keyword research, budget management, and performance tracking will showcase your fit for the role.

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Can you explain how you measure the success of a SEM campaign?

Success can be measured through various KPIs like click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Be prepared to explain how you analyze this data to refine your strategies for better results.

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What tools do you use for keyword research?

Mention tools like Google Ads Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs. Explain how you use these tools to identify trends, competitive keywords, and opportunities for campaign optimization.

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How do you stay updated with changes in SEM and digital marketing?

Share your habits for staying informed, such as following relevant blogs, subscribing to industry newsletters, or participating in webinars and workshops. Highlight your passion for continuous learning in this ever-evolving field.

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Can you describe a challenge you faced in a previous SEM role and how you overcame it?

Be specific about the challenge, outlining the context and the strategies you deployed to overcome it. Focusing on the results will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt.

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What is your process for managing budgets for SEM campaigns?

Explain your approach to budget allocation, monitoring expenses, and adjusting strategies based on campaign performance. Highlight how you ensure the campaigns stay within budget while achieving objectives.

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How do you collaborate with teams outside of SEM?

Share your experiences of working with teams like social media, content, and product marketing. Stress the importance of collaborative strategies to ensure messaging is consistent and effective across all channels.

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What do you think will be the most significant trends in SEM over the next few years?

Discuss insights on emerging technologies, the impact of AI, and the shift towards more personalized advertising strategies. Highlight your excitement about adapting to these trends in your future role.

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How do you handle underperforming campaigns?

Explain your systematic approach to identifying issues, conducting analyses, and proposing adjustments. Discuss how you use data to drive decisions and continuously improve campaign performance.

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What do you believe sets Western Digital apart from other companies in terms of SEM?

Discuss Western Digital's commitment to innovation and data-driven solutions, emphasizing how this influences their marketing strategies. Highlight how you admire the company's role in powering technology and how that inspires you to contribute.

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At Western Digital, we believe in the promise of data and we’re redefining how the world keeps and leverages it. We power the technology and develop the solutions that transform the possibilities of data into reality. At every step, we innovate wi...

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Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
December 14, 2024

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