Manager, SEO Strategy

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

Overview

The Manager, SEO Strategy plays a key role in driving organic performance and innovation across our clients’ digital ecosystems. With 4+ years of hands-on SEO experience (agency or in-house), this person will own client relationships, lead day-to-day strategy, and deliver high-impact results rooted in data, creativity, and emerging technologies. In addition, this role potentially will be expected to mentor and manage junior level talent.

This role requires someone who can bridge classic SEO with the evolving landscape of AI Search (AIO / GEO), helping brands future-proof their visibility and influence across both traditional and generative search environments.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Prepare and clearly present Technical and Content SEO, AIO / GEO, and other SEO-adjacent capabilities to internal and external clients. 
• Lead SEO strategy and roadmap development for mid-market and enterprise clients, ensuring all tactics ladder up to measurable business outcomes.
• Translate technical and content data into actionable insights and clear strategic recommendations.
• Drive innovation through adoption of AI-driven projects, such as AIO / GEO audits, AI Overview visibility analysis, semantic similarity analyses, passage-level optimization, and synthetic query testing.
• Partner cross-functionally with Paid Media, Conversion Rate Optimization, Social, and Content teams to deliver integrated holistic search strategies.
• Demonstrate experience in App Store Optimization (ASO), Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), eCommerce, and Local Search (desired).

Client Management

• Serve as the main day-to-day client contact, ensuring consistent communication, transparency, and trust.
• Run weekly and bi-weekly meetings, owning agendas, recaps, and deliverables.
• Present SEO strategies, performance reviews, and quarterly business reviews with confidence and clarity.
• Proactively identify growth opportunities, pain points, and cross-channel synergies.

Execution & Delivery

• Plan and execute SEO initiatives, including:
• Technical site audits and implementation roadmaps
• Keyword research and keyword mapping
• On-page and content optimizations
• Internal linking and schema strategies
• AIO / GEO optimization and measurement
• Website migration planning and QA
• Manage deliverables from inception to delivery, maintaining project plans and timelines with precision.
• Oversee and mentor Associates and other Managers, ensuring deliverable quality and strategic alignment.

Performance & Reporting

• Develop and interpret dashboards and performance reports (GA4, Adobe, GSC, Looker Studio, etc.).
• Connect SEO KPIs to business results, creating narratives that drive decision-making.
• Ensure all reporting includes actionable insights, trend analysis, and forward-looking recommendations.
• Monitor algorithm updates, AI Search trends, industry news, and competitor activity to inform proactive strategy shifts.

Quality & Innovation

• Uphold high standards of quality, accuracy, and detail across every deliverable.
• QA work from self and team members, ensuring readiness for client delivery.
• Contribute to internal SEO thought leadership through pilots, frameworks, and POVs on the future of AI Search.
• Stay informed about the latest developments in LLMs, search interfaces, and emerging SERP formats.

Required Skills & Experience

• 4+ years of professional SEO experience (agency preferred).
• Proven track record managing client relationships and leading strategic SEO programs.
• Strong understanding of technical SEO, content strategy, and analytics.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of AI search / GEO and ability to improve and automate your workflows using AI platforms.
• Proficiency in tools such as Google Search Console, GA4, Screaming Frog, Semrush, Ahrefs, Looker Studio, BigQuery, Scrunch, Profound, Otterly, and AirOps.
• Excellent writing, communication, organization, and storytelling skills.

Ability to manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package:

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k plan, plus matching
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU: 

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step. 

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. 

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place. 

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.

Learn more about DEPT®

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. 

We also encourage you  to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

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