SEM Strategist, EMEA

SEM Strategist, EMEA

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Alto

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own and evolve search strategies across EMEA, driving high-intent demand capture.
  • Company: Join a leading tech company focused on innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous learning and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting search performance to business outcomes.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years in digital marketing with strong SEM experience, especially in B2B tech.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.

Job Summary

Your Impact

  • Own and Evolve Search Strategy: Develop and execute regional search strategies on platforms such as Google Ads, Microsoft Ads (Bing) to drive high‑intent demand capture aligned with business priorities. Ensure campaigns are structured to support global growth objectives while accounting for regional search behaviours, language nuances, and market dynamics across EMEA.
  • Drive Business Outcomes from Search: Connect search performance to real business outcomes including pipeline, opportunity creation, and revenue influence. Translate campaign insights into recommendations that improve demand capture, lead quality, and overall marketing effectiveness—not just media performance metrics.
  • Campaign Execution & Optimisation: Build, launch, and manage paid search campaigns across multiple markets while continuously optimising campaign structures, bidding strategies, targeting, and messaging to improve performance and efficiency. Work directly within advertising platforms to implement optimisations and scale successful strategies.
  • Data‑Driven Insights & Market Intelligence: Analyse campaign performance data to uncover trends, keyword opportunities, competitive insights, and demand signals. Translate findings into clear recommendations that influence both search investment strategy and broader marketing initiatives.
  • Influence Content & Creative Strategy: Leverage search insights to inform content development, messaging, and landing page strategy, helping ensure that high‑intent queries are matched with relevant experiences that move buyers further along the decision journey. Partner with content, SEO, and web teams to improve search visibility and engagement across key product and solution categories.
  • Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Marketing, Global Campaigns, Field Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure search programs align with product launches, regional demand generation priorities, and integrated marketing campaigns. Serve as the search subject matter expert in cross‑functional conversations.
  • Agency & Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with external agency partners and internal marketing teams to ensure strong execution, alignment with strategy, and continuous performance improvement. Influence stakeholders and represent the search function in regional discussions when needed.
  • Testing, Innovation & Continuous Learning: Continuously test new approaches across bidding strategies, keyword expansion, audience targeting, ad creative, and landing page experiences. Stay ahead of evolving search trends including AI‑driven search results, AIO experiences, automation, and changing buyer research behaviours, ensuring Palo Alto Networks adapts quickly to new opportunities.
  • Reporting & Strategic Insights: Develop performance summaries and strategic insights for weekly and monthly reporting, highlighting trends, opportunities, and recommendations that support marketing and business goals. Provide clear insights that help leadership understand how search contributes to broader growth initiatives.

Experience

  • 6+ years of digital marketing experience with at least 4+ years managing Search Engine Marketing (SEM/PPC) programmes in a B2B technology environment (SaaS or cybersecurity preferred).
  • Search Platform Expertise: Hands‑on experience managing campaigns in Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising (Bing).
  • Search Ads 360 Experience: Experience using Google Search Ads 360 (SA360) for campaign management, bid strategy optimisation, budget pacing, and performance reporting.
  • Business & Analytical Mindset: Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate performance data into actionable insights that drive business outcomes. Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets (pivot tables, data analysis, reporting) required.
  • Analytics & Measurement: Experience working with analytics platforms such as Adobe Analytics, Tableau, or Google Analytics to interpret performance data and connect marketing metrics to pipeline and revenue outcomes.
  • Global Campaign Experience: Experience supporting search campaigns across multiple countries and languages with an understanding of localisation, regional search behaviour, and market nuance.
  • AI & Automation Mindset: Comfortable leveraging AI tools, automation platforms, and emerging search technologies to streamline workflows, improve reporting, and identify new optimisation opportunities as search continues to evolve.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to present performance insights and strategic recommendations to cross‑functional stakeholders and agency partners.
  • Curiosity & Innovation: A curious mindset with a desire to challenge conventional approaches and continuously experiment with new strategies that improve performance and business impact.
  • Self‑Starter: Highly organized and detail‑oriented with the ability to manage multiple campaigns, markets, and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

SEM Strategist, EMEA employer: Alto

Palo Alto Networks is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where innovation and collaboration are at the forefront. As a SEM Strategist in the EMEA region, you will have access to extensive professional growth opportunities, working alongside talented teams to drive impactful marketing strategies that align with global objectives. With a commitment to diversity and employee well-being, Palo Alto Networks offers a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and adaptation to the evolving digital landscape.

Alto

Contact Detail:

Alto Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land SEM Strategist, EMEA

Tip Number 1

Get your networking game on! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have a lead on that SEM Strategist role you’re after!

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or case studies showcasing your past SEM campaigns. Highlight how you’ve driven business outcomes and optimised strategies—this will make you stand out when chatting with potential employers.

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply anywhere—focus on companies that align with your values and interests. Use our website to find roles that excite you, and tailor your approach to each one. Quality over quantity, right?

Tip Number 4

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the latest trends in SEM and AI tools. Be ready to discuss how you can leverage these insights to drive results. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!

We think you need these skills to ace SEM Strategist, EMEA

Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Google Ads
Microsoft Advertising (Bing)
Google Search Ads 360 (SA360)
Data Analysis
Excel or Google Sheets
Adobe Analytics

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with SEM, especially in EMEA markets. We want to see how your skills align with our search strategies and business goals.

Showcase Your Data Skills:Since we’re all about data-driven insights, don’t forget to mention your analytical skills and any tools you’ve used like Google Analytics or Excel. Share specific examples of how you've turned data into actionable strategies.

Highlight Collaboration Experience:We love teamwork! Make sure to include any experiences where you’ve worked closely with cross-functional teams. This shows us you can effectively communicate and collaborate with different departments.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of getting noticed, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at Alto

Know Your Search Platforms

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising. Be ready to discuss specific campaigns you've managed, the strategies you employed, and how you optimised them for better performance. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the tools, but that you can leverage them effectively.

Data is Your Best Friend

Prepare to talk about how you've used data to drive business outcomes in your previous roles. Bring examples of how you analysed campaign performance and translated those insights into actionable recommendations. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and ability to connect marketing metrics to real results.

Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share examples of successful cross-functional collaborations. Highlight how you’ve partnered with content, SEO, or sales teams to align search strategies with broader marketing initiatives. This will illustrate your teamwork and communication skills.

Stay Ahead of Trends

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in SEM, including AI-driven search results and automation. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve adapted to changes in buyer behaviour and what innovative strategies you’ve tested. This shows that you’re proactive and eager to learn, which is crucial in a fast-paced environment.