SEM Senior Manager

Xero
New Zealand
Workplace: HybridFull timeFunction: Marketing & GrowthSkills: ["Stakeholder management","Communication","Problem-solving","Analytical thinking","Collaboration"]

Shape Xero’s global Paid Search strategy by evolving the technical foundations of SEM and scaling automation and AI-driven workflows. Build and operationalise systems for automated optimisation, analysis, reporting, and bidding/decision-making with validation and measurement. Partner with SEM specialists, Data Science, Marketing Technology, Product, and CRO to turn performance challenges into reusable, scalable solutions, including exploring emerging search and AI capabilities.

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FursaFursa
Xero
Xero
18 hours ago

SEM Senior Manager

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 11 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Shape Xero’s global Paid Search strategy by evolving the technical foundations of SEM and scaling automation and AI-driven workflows. Build and operationalise systems for automated optimisation, analysis, reporting, and bidding/decision-making with validation and measurement. Partner with SEM specialists, Data Science, Marketing Technology, Product, and CRO to turn performance challenges into reusable, scalable solutions, including exploring emerging search and AI capabilities.
Location: New Zealand
Workplace: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Marketing & Growth
Seniority: Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Evolve the technical foundations of Xero’s global SEM program to improve scalability, automation, and performance.
  • •Build and operationalise AI-powered workflows that automate optimisation, analysis, reporting, and operational processes.
  • •Advance AI-driven SEM capabilities including automated bidding and decision-making systems with robust validation, guardrails, and measurement.
  • •Identify and deliver automation opportunities by converting manual or complex SEM processes into scalable, reusable solutions.
  • •Partner across Data Science, Marketing Technology, Product, CRO, and Performance Marketing to connect data and emerging technology into the SEM ecosystem and explore new search/AI capabilities.

Key Requirements

  • •Deep, hands-on SEM expertise managing large-scale, multi-market Paid Search programs, with strong Google Ads and SA360 knowledge and experience with modern bidding and automation.
  • •Proven ability to design and deploy automation, workflows, or other technical solutions that solve performance marketing problems.
  • •Hands-on experience with AI and workflow orchestration tools such as Tray.ai, AirOps, n8n, Make, Zapier, OpenAI, Claude (or similar).
  • •Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to work through complex performance and technical challenges and turn data into clear actions.
  • •Strong communication skills to translate complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
Experience:Paid SearchSEMPerformance marketingWorkflow automationAI
Skills:Stakeholder managementCommunicationProblem-solvingAnalytical thinkingCollaboration
Tech Stack:Google AdsSA360Tray.aiAirOpsN8nMakeZapierOpenAIClaude

Company Brief

Xero
Provides cloud-based accounting, payroll, and financial management software for small and medium-sized businesses, enabling invoicing, bank reconciliation, reporting, and integrations with third-party apps globally.
Industry: Enterprise Software
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 1B+
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Wellington, New Zealand
Founded: 2006
WebsiteLinkedIn