Clever Digital Marketing is hiring : Associate SEM Director in Chicago

Associate SEM Director

Department : Paid Search

Employment Type : Full Time

Location : Chicago

Overview

Description

Who We Are

Mission : At Clever Digital Marketing, we are on a mission to empower large-scale home improvement companies by fueling their top-line revenue through innovative digital marketing strategies. By bridging the gap in the industry for a highly profitable digital lead vendor, we’ve created a unique space where growth isn’t just supported—it’s catalyzed.

Product : Clever Digital Marketing delivers outcome-driven paid advertising and strategic advising solutions. We don’t focus on clicks and impressions—we focus on net sales. Our customized, data-driven strategies are tailored to each client’s unique needs, ensuring measurable impact and scalable profitability.

Scale : In just three years, we’ve partnered with over 50 large-scale home improvement companies across the USA and Canada, helping them generate $250 million in revenue. By integrating seamlessly with our partners and leveraging our core value of Extreme Ownership, we’ve set bold targets, driving shared success. We’re on track to help our clients achieve $325 million in revenue next year.

Impact : As trusted subject matter experts in the home improvement space, we are redefining what it means to deliver value. Our commitment to authenticity and collaboration ensures we remain a powerhouse of growth, innovation, and measurable results for every client we serve.

Who We’re Looking For

CDM is seeking an Associate SEM Director who will oversee multiple Pod teams, helping lead strategy for a portfolio of clients and be a part of the driving force in delivering unmatched performance. You will play an integral role in scaling and innovating the department.

This position is designed for a leader with a never-ending passion for Paid Search and an expert at navigating the complex, evolving challenges in SEM. Your leadership will help set the pace and standards for our A-player environment, championing a culture of excellence and high output. We seek a leader who can inspire confidence - through transparency, expertise, and leading by example - and foster a high-performance environment.

What You'll Do

Support Strategy : Oversee the client strategy to ensure campaigns are focused on achieving client performance objectives and supporting Clever’s strategic vision

Coach the Team : Develop high performing and high producing Pods by providing leadership, mentorship, and performance management to a team of 8-12+ performance marketers. Ensure that team members are motivated, skilled, and aligned with the company’s objectives

Maintain regular communication with team members through 1 : 1 meetings and team discussions to address challenges, provide feedback, and align on goals

Client Performance : Coordinate with Sr. Managers to manage and optimize large-scale budgets, ensuring efficient allocation to maximize investment and hit agency benchmarks

Maintain a strong pulse on client performance and health by joining recurring internal meetings, client planning meetings, and select recurring client calls

Assist with developing improvement strategies for struggling accounts and monitor the improvement progress

Department Support : Work with the Senior Director to plan key goals and initiatives for the department overall and at the individual OKR + goal planning level

Raising the Bar : Meet the department’s leadership standards to support high functioning Pods and effectively communicate success within the agency, including :

Lead OKR and KPI management

Manage P&L for Pods to ensure effective resource allocation

Develop SOPs and best practices for specific client needs and overall department operations

Collaborate with the Data & Analytics team to improve tracking, dashboards, and reporting

Resource and capacity planning to support high performing Pods

What We're Looking For

8+ years of experience in Paid Search advertising

Advanced knowledge and in-depth experience with Google Ads

Experience managing over $1M / month in paid search spend

4+ years of experience managing 3+ team members

2+ years of agency experience preferred, but not required

A strong command of the English language and located in Canada.

Bonus Points

Experience running Google ad campaigns for home improvement companies

Experience leveraging GA4

Bing Advertising experience

What We Offer

An incredible team and culture. We’re a high-performance, feedback-oriented, and data-driven organization where everyone is empowered to succeed. Our culture thrives on collaboration, extreme ownership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We believe in integrity as a cornerstone of our success, making decisions that align with our principles even when it’s challenging. We celebrate winning together by supporting and lifting each other up, ensuring every victory is shared. At our core, we embrace Kaizen, the philosophy of continuous improvement, knowing that small changes can lead to extraordinary results. This is more than a workplace—it’s a place where you’ll grow, learn, and thrive alongside passionate teammates who are as invested in your success as you are.

Be part of a rapidly scaling company that’s redefining performance marketing for the home improvement industry.

Competitive compensation that reflects your expertise and contributions.

Enjoy the flexibility of a fully remote work environment, with the option to collaborate in person at our Vaughan office whenever you need a change of pace.

15 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, with the freedom to use them as you see fit.

Comprehensive group benefits, including health, dental, and more, to support your well-being.

A company-provided MacBook and a home office budget to help you create your ideal workspace.

Merch deliveries to help you get started and feel part of the team.

A work abroad policy to support you when you need a fresh perspective or a new working environment.

Opportunities to connect with #Clever teammates in person, whether at our Vaughan office, through meetups across Canada, or at company-wide events and off-sites.

Clever Digital Marketing values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the team. We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations to candidates in need of support during the recruitment and selection process.

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