Hire a sem specialist
A SEM specialist manages paid search campaigns on Google Ads and Bing Ads to drive targeted traffic and conversions. They optimize keywords, bidding strategies, ad copy, and landing pages to maximize return on ad spend.
Our talent works at
What does a sem specialist do?
Key responsibilities you can expect from this role
Research and build keyword lists using search volume, competition, and intent analysis
Set up and structure Google Ads campaigns — ad groups, match types, and negative keywords
Write and test ad copy variations across headlines, descriptions, and extensions
Manage bidding strategies — manual, automated, and target ROAS approaches
Optimize landing pages for Quality Score improvements and conversion rate
Analyze search term reports and continuously refine targeting to eliminate wasted spend
Skills & tools
What to look for when hiring a sem specialist
Key skills
Tools they use
SEM specialist salary guide
Typical annual salary ranges in Europe (EUR)
Junior
€33,000–€42,000
0–2 years
Mid-level
€44,000–€60,000
2–5 years
Senior
€62,000–€78,000
5+ years
Ranges reflect full-time salaries in Northern & Western Europe. Actual compensation varies by location, company stage, and candidate experience.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about hiring a sem specialist
How it works
From request to hire in 3 simple steps
Tell us what you need
Share your role requirements, team culture, and timeline. We will scope the search and confirm fit within 24 hours.
Meet pre-vetted candidates
We present 3–5 qualified candidates. Each has been screened for skills, motivation, and cultural fit.
Hire with confidence
Interview your top picks and make an offer. Our 30-day guarantee means zero risk if the hire does not work out.
Hiring tips from our team
Advice for finding the right sem specialist
Ask candidates to audit one of your existing campaigns. A strong SEM specialist will identify wasted spend and quick wins within 30 minutes.
Test their Google Ads knowledge beyond basics — ask about campaign structure philosophy, match type strategy, and automated bidding trade-offs.
Look for candidates who think about the full funnel. Great SEM specialists care about landing page quality and conversion rates, not just click-through rates.
Verify their certification and ask about campaign budgets they have managed. Managing €2K/month vs. €50K/month are fundamentally different challenges.
What companies say
Feedback from founders who hired through us
Keto Software
€1.7M ARR startup • Hired 4+ positions • Focus on European expansion hires
What we've delivered:
"Working with Herizon has been an absolute turning point for our hiring. They have already helped us successfully bring on board a Growth Marketing Manager and a RevOps Manager, and are now supporting us in finding the right AEs and a Partnership Development Manager. What sets Herizon apart is not only their deep understanding of every role in a revenue organization, but also their ability to truly grasp what we are looking for as if they were part of our own team. They don't just present candidates — they challenge our thinking, help us sort through priorities, and go deep with candidates to ensure we're meeting the right people. I couldn't recommend Herizon highly enough for any company looking to build out their revenue teams with the right people."
"Found people who actually understand the problem. They're from regions where sustainability challenges are real and motivation to solve them is high."
Sustainability tech company at €2M ARR
Hired 2 in 14 days
"Other agencies take months. These guys actually deliver. Hired 2 people in a week and brought diversity of thought to our team."
Listed tech company
Fast growth team hire
"Found our PM in 6 days. Remote worker from Finland is super cost-efficient for our German company."
Early-stage startup at €1M ARR
Product team hire in 6 days
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