Director, SEM

About Us: Live experiences help people cross today’s digital divide and focus on what truly connects us – the here, the now, this once-in-a-lifetime moment that’s bringing us together. To fulfill Gametime’s mission of uniting the world through shared experiences, we make it easy for people to discover and access the live experiences that matter most. With platforms on iOS, Android, mobile web and desktop supporting more than 60,000 events across the US and Canada, we are reimagining the event ticket industry in order to move at the speed of life. The Role The Director of SEM will own Gametime’s paid search strategy end-to-end, driving performance, efficiency, and innovation across mobile and web. You will lead a high-performing team of SEM Managers, partner closely with Data Science/Analytics, Engineering, and SEO and collaborate across the broader Growth organization to define how SEM accelerates business growth. This is both a strategic and operational leadership role, responsible for scaling one of Gametime’s largest acquisition channels while shaping the next generation of automation, measurement, and experimentation frameworks. Key Responsibilities Define and Lead SEM Strategy: Own the vision, roadmap, and execution for Gametime’s global SEM program largely in Google Ads but also in Bing Search, and emerging platforms. Performance Leadership: Deliver growth and efficiency through advanced bidding, segmentation, and automation frameworks aligned with company revenue and margin goals. AI forward approach: strong curiosity and drive in exploring how different AI based solutions can drive improved relevancy and efficiency in paid search Experimentation & Innovation: Oversee structured SEM experimentation, building on Gametime’s strong testing culture to validate bidding, ad copy, landing page, and audience innovations. Scale & automation: Work with Data Science and Engineering to develop internal tools, automation pipelines, and performance dashboards that enhance decision-making. Google Partnership: Serve as Gametime’s primary liaison with Google to access betas, co-develop testing pilots, and inform product feedback loops. Team Development: Lead and mentor a team of SEM managers and analysts, fostering a culture of analytical rigor, curiosity, and operational excellence. Measurement & Insights: Partner with Analytics to refine attribution models, incrementality testing, and reporting frameworks that drive transparency and strategic clarity across channels. Collaboration Across Channels: Align SEM strategy with CRM, Paid Social, SEO, and Lifecycle teams to ensure an integrated acquisition strategy across the funnel. Key Skills Deep understanding of Google Ads and SEM automation, including bid strategy optimization, audience layering, and advanced account architecture. Advanced analytical fluency, comfortable with SQL, large datasets, and advanced experimentation frameworks. Strategic mindset with the ability to translate data and experiments into high-impact business decisions. Proven ability to influence across marketing, analytics, product, and executive leadership. Excellent communication and leadership skills; able to motivate teams and articulate clear strategies. Passion for live events and the power of performance marketing to connect fans to experiences. Requirements 8+ years of experience in SEM, with at least 3 years in a leadership role managing teams and large-scale budgets. Proven record of scaling world class SEM programs to eight-figure spend while improving efficiency and ROI. Experience in large catalog based eCommerce businesses such as online travel, retail or live events Experience managing experimentation and automation roadmaps in partnership with technical teams. Background in marketplaces, ticketing, or high-velocity e-commerce environments preferred. What We can Offer: Flexible PTO Competitive salary & equity package Monthly Gametime credits for any event ($1,200/yr) Medical, dental, & vision insurance Life insurance and disability benefits Diverse Family-forming benefits through Carrot Fertility 401k, HSA, pre-tax savings programs Company off-sites and meet-ups Wellness programs Tenure recognition At Gametime pay ranges are subject to change and assigned to a job based on specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget. United States - Pay Range $166,866 — $196,313 USD Gametime is committed to bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and do great work together. As an equal opportunity employer, we prohibit any unlawful discrimination against a job applicant on the basis of their race, color, religion, veteran status, sex, parental status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated to going above and beyond in fostering diversity across our company.