Growth.Talent
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Head of Search Engine Marketing

Hilti GroupBoulogne-Billancourt, Île-de-France, France

Growth MarketingVPOn-siteFull time€180K - €240K
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VP-LevelOn-Site$180K-$240KB2B IndustrialGlobal SEM/SEOFull-Time

The Challenge

Hilti Group is scaling its global search presence across paid, organic, and AI-driven channels. You'll architect and execute a unified SEM/SEO/GEO strategy that centralizes execution, enables 30+ markets, and maximizes ROI across Google, Bing, YouTube, and emerging GenAI search platforms.

Your Mission

First 3 Months
1

Audit current SEM/SEO/GEO capabilities across all markets; identify gaps, tooling misalignments, and quick-win optimization opportunities

2

Define and socialize the global SEM governance framework, KPI architecture, and measurement model (GA4, GMP integration, attribution)

3

Establish centralized SEM team structure, hire key roles, and launch first market playbooks for paid search execution

4

Conduct strategic review of paid search budget allocation, bidding strategy, and channel mix across Google Ads, Bing, YouTube

By 6 Months
1

Achieve 15-20% YoY ROAS improvement through keyword architecture optimization, audience targeting refinement, and A/B testing cadence

2

Launch unified SEM/SEO/GEO reporting dashboard; establish single source of truth for organic visibility, paid performance, and emerging AI search metrics

3

Roll out capability-building program: playbooks, training, maturity assessments across all markets; measure adoption and performance lift

4

Integrate GenAI content optimization and GEO strategy into core workflows; pilot GenAI search initiatives on 3+ high-priority product categories

KPIs You'll Own

Global SEM ROAS

Return on ad spend across all paid search channels; target 15-20% YoY improvement within 6 months.

Organic Traffic Growth

Non-paid search sessions and conversion contribution; track SEO impact on customer acquisition cost.

Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) by Channel

Paid search CPA vs. organic CPA; measure efficiency gains from keyword and audience optimization.

Keyword Ranking Progress

Percentage of target keywords in top 3/10 positions; monitor competitive visibility across priority segments.

Market Maturity Score

Adoption of SEM playbooks, tool usage, and capability readiness across 30+ markets; quantify execution excellence.

GenAI Content Discoverability

Content performance in AI-driven search environments; measure visibility and click-through rates on GenAI platforms.

Tools & Stack

Google AdsGoogle Search ConsoleGA4Bing AdsGoogle Merchant Platform (GMP)SEMrush / AhrefsCRM / CDPMarTech Stack Integration

Your Team

Your Manager

Chief Digital Officer or VP of Digital Marketing (assumed)

Current Team

Likely distributed SEM/SEO specialists across regional teams; centralized function to be built

New role; you'll build the centralized SEM team and hire key positions (SEM Manager, SEO Specialist, GEO Lead)

The Package

Salary

$180K-$240K base

Variable

15-25% annual bonus (performance-based)

Equity

Likely stock options or ESOP (Hilti is employee-owned)

Remote

On-site, Boulogne-Billancourt, Île-de-France, France. Occasional travel for market reviews and capability-building sessions.

Benefits & Perks

Global mobility opportunities within Hilti organization
Employee ownership (ESOP) and profit-sharing
Comprehensive health, pension, and life insurance
Professional development and executive coaching budget
Flexible working arrangements (hybrid possible after establishing on-site presence)

Company Intelligence

Hilti Group is a global leader in providing professional tools, software, and services to the construction and industrial sectors. With operations in 120+ countries, Hilti serves millions of customers and is recognized for innovation, quality, and customer-centric solutions. The company is employee-owned and privately held, fostering long-term thinking and stakeholder alignment.

Founded

1941

Team Size

~29,000 employees globally

Funding

Private, employee-owned

Customers

Construction professionals, contractors, and industrial enterprises across commercial and residential segments

Culture

Innovation-driven, customer-obsessed, ownership mentality (employee-owned structure); global collaboration with local market autonomy

Is This Role For You?

For You If
  • You've led global SEM/SEO programs at scale (20+ markets) and proven ability to centralize, standardize, and optimize performance
  • You're comfortable operating at the VP level: defining strategy, building teams, influencing cross-functional stakeholders (IT, CRM, commerce), and owning P&L impact
  • You're fluent in modern search (paid, organic, GenAI) and can architect integrated strategies that maximize visibility and ROI across all channels
  • You thrive in building capability—you love coaching teams, creating playbooks, and lifting organizational maturity through enablement and governance
  • You're data-obsessed and analytical: you design measurement frameworks, run rigorous A/B tests, and base decisions on evidence, not gut feel
Won't Work If
  • You prefer hands-on execution over strategic leadership—this role is 70% strategy/leadership, 30% tactical oversight
  • You need full remote flexibility; this is on-site in France (though hybrid may be negotiated after establishing leadership presence)
  • You lack experience in B2B or industrial markets; Hilti's customer journey, sales cycles, and keyword strategies differ significantly from B2C

Interview Process

1

Screening Call (30 min)

HR + Hiring Manager: background, global SEM/SEO experience, leadership philosophy, interest in role

2

Case Study / Take-Home (2-3 hours)

Analyze Hilti's current SEM/SEO performance; propose 6-month roadmap, team structure, and ROAS improvement plan

3

Strategic Interview (60 min)

Deep dive with VP Digital/CMO on SEM strategy, market prioritization, capability-building approach, GenAI integration

4

Cross-Functional Panel (60 min)

Conversations with IT, CRM, and regional market leaders on collaboration, tooling strategy, and market enablement

5

Final Executive Interview (45 min)

CFO or Chief Digital Officer: business impact, ROI expectations, budget strategy, long-term vision

Interested in this role?

Apply now and hear back within days, not weeks.

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