Search Engine Marketing (Sem) Specialist

We live in a digital world. At VGM Forbin, our team of creatives, account executives, and Google-certified web marketing specialists work together to go the extra mile to incorporate the latest trends in the industry for our clients. VGM Forbin strategizes with medical, financial, and local organizations to help them grow larger and stronger through marketing and technology. To do this, we work closely with business owners and administrators which requires continual refinement of our skills as well as development of our industry expertise. Forbin is looking for a team player with high integrity, accountability, curiosity, and a drive to continually improve.
Position Summary: VGM Forbin is looking for an experienced PPC (pay-per-click) / SEM (Search Engine Marketing) specialist to join our talented web marketing team. In this role you will work closely with a team of Account Executives, Web Marketers, UX/UI Designers and Developers to strategize, create, and optimize both organic and paid advertising campaigns in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads that drive business success for our clients. You will take lead on implementing and managing SEM campaigns while also being challenged to develop new strategies that provide successful outcomes for Forbin clients. As part of our process, you must be able to describe examples of successful Google Ads campaigns that you have implemented while also indicating your role on each campaign.
Hours: Full-Time: Monday – Friday 8-5, occasional off-hours when job duties require
Working Location: Waterloo, IA – flexible in remote or hybrid scheduled if experience and performance merits
Responsibilities/Duties of the SEM Specialist

• Strategize, implement, manage and optimize SEM/PPC (organic and paid) campaigns for VGM Forbin clients
• Analyze SEM/PCC campaign performance and make enhancements as needed for best optimization
• Consult clients on web marketing strategies and act as the Forbin subject matter expert (SME)
• Ensure client success through campaign management, recommendations and clear communication
• Administer and analyze custom reports using numerous Google tools, such Google Looker Studio, and others
• Leverage Google Ads and Google Analytics to be a strategic partner in generating results for clients through SEM campaigns
• Collaborate with internal teammates and external clients to report on data findings to maximize campaigns accordingly
• Set clear and manageable budgets and meet these on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
• Stay up-to-date and educate team/clients on the latest trends, channels and formats to deliver industry-leading work

SEM Specialist Qualifications
Experience

• 2+ years experience with SEM campaign creation, strategy, management, optimization and reporting
• Expert in Google Ads with certifications
• Proficient with Google Analytics and Tag Manager

Skills and competencies

• Ability to analyze issues and form hypotheses
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate findings effectively
• Continuous desire to learn and improve

Physical requirements

• Operation of office equipment and using technology efficiently, such as computers, phones, miscellaneous office equipment
• Visual abilities to include reading, distance vision and peripheral vision
• Moving throughout VGM facilities when needed

Who are we?
At VGM, we live by a common set of values that we call our power of one principles. We give our employees the freedom and resources they need, backed by our culture of collaboration and diverse thought, to continue innovating and advancing our services – if you want to be empowered to make a difference, you will love it here.
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VGM Values
Our values drive how we work and who we hire. You will see these values ingrained in how we support our customers and work with team members in the work environment we’ve created.

• MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Impact our customers by making their lives better or easier. Help our friends and neighbors in need by giving back to the community.
• FIND THE FUN IN YOUR DAY: We can’t have fun without you. Connect with your colleagues, find enjoyment in your work, and don’t forget to laugh.
• PROTECT OUR COMPANY: Embrace the benefits that technology provides but always be proactive in looking for cyber security or other threats.
• PROVIDE MEANINGFUL, MEMORABLE SERVICE: By cherishing our customers and providing excellent service, you make a direct impact in growing VGM and our ESOP.
• WELCOME CHANGE: Stay curious and engage in change. Look at the future by finding areas to improve and be open to new ideas. Inclusion: Support a diverse community where we all belong.
• CHEER EACH OTHER ON: Root for your fellow employee owners. Support them if they’re having trouble and celebrate their successes.
• OWN YOUR OWNERSHIP: Take pride in your employee ownership. Always put your best foot forward and work with purpose.
• CREATE YOUR FUTURE: Your future is in your hands. Every employee has equal opportunity to learn, grow, and advance.

At VGM, you’ll enjoy:

• Compensation: Highly competitive wage.
• Company Ownership: VGM is 100% employee-owned, meaning employees can earn an annual gift of VGM stock equaling a portion of what you make.
• Fantastic Benefits: 401k and ROTH 401k with up to 3% company match, Health Benefits, HSA options - single to family, Dental, Vision, Short and Long-Term Disability, Term Life and Voluntary Life Insurance and a physician network where you reside.
• Casual Dress: VGM has a casual work environment, we call it dress for your day.
• Involvement: Ability to participate in Employee Get Connected Groups, (VGM Young Professionals, Garden Club, Women in Leadership) Volunteering, Companywide celebrations, and more.
• Work-life Balance: Paid Holidays with the Holiday of your Choice benefit, Paid maternity and Paternity leave, Foster and Adoption Assistance.
• Health and Wellness: Free Walk-in Clinic to all employees & family members regardless of carrying VGM Insurance and 24/7 on-site fitness center and free fitness classes* [All in Waterloo]

This job description reflects the general duties of the job but is not a detailed description of all duties which may be inherent to the position. Related additional duties may be assigned to the individual Associate.
VGM Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.