Overview Walker Sands is seeking a Director, SEO + GEO to lead client work for B2B companies and support the evolution and innovation of our SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) capabilities. This role is responsible for driving strategic outcomes for a portfolio of medium to large clients while elevating the agency’s broader digital marketing performance. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a strong track record of success in SEO, content strategy, and integrated marketing who translates complex search challenges into actionable, revenue-driving solutions. The candidate should have a perspective on how platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini are evolving search behaviors and strategies. In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership + Client Oversight: Serve as the strategic lead on SEO and GEO initiatives across key client accounts, setting vision, frameworks, and success metrics that align with business goals. Lead high-level client conversations with enterprise company CMOs, VPs, and senior stakeholders, articulating the role of SEO and GEO in broader enterprise marketing ecosystems. Collaborate with senior agency leadership to evolve GEO and AI-influenced search trends and identify opportunities to innovate and differentiate. Integrate SEO and GEO into broader marketing programs across departments (client services, paid, content, PR, demand gen, analytics). Oversee development and execution of sophisticated SEO and GEO strategies, including technical audits, content gap analysis, competitive assessments, page optimizations, content outlines, and performance tracking. Use data to craft compelling narratives and insight-driven recommendations that influence executive-level client decision-making. Serve as a trusted advisor to key clients, developing long-term partnerships grounded in results and accountability. Partner with sales and leadership to scale SEO/GEO-driven new business opportunities; support sales calls and pitch meetings with SEO/GEO expertise. Manage and mentor a growing team of SEO managers, senior specialists, and interns; foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning. Develop career growth plans and support skill development through coaching, feedback, and training initiatives. Champion operational improvements to enhance workflow efficiencies, team bandwidth, and cross-functional collaboration. Lead cross-functional collaboration with content, creative, analytics, and account teams to deliver integrated and high-performing SEO and GEO programs. Stay ahead of SEO, GEO, and AI-driven search trends to inform internal education, service line evolution, and client advisories. Qualifications 7-9+ years of full-time SEO experience, including client-facing roles within an agency or consulting environment. Proven success managing SEO programs for mid-market to enterprise-level clients. Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with a track record of driving measurable business impact. Track record of selling or building the business case for SEO and GEO services. Deep expertise in SEO and GEO best practices, tools, and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, Screaming Frog, generative AI tools). Expertise in technical SEO, content optimization, and analytics. Proven track record in identifying, designing, and rolling out new and innovative SEO and GEO solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to simplify complex concepts for executive audiences. Adept at managing multiple client engagements concurrently with strong project management and prioritization skills. Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Jira). Google Analytics Certification preferred (GA certification is a current or future requirement for the team). What You’ll Bring A visionary approach to how SEO is evolving in the age of AI, automation, and generative content. A collaborative and influential leadership style that uplifts others while driving performance. A growth mindset rooted in experimentation, learning, and continuous improvement. Salary transparency and a total rewards package including benefits, with base salary indicating the starting range. The base salary for this role is listed below and placement on the salary scale will consider qualifications, experience, and other factors. Starting Salary: $100,000 – 104,500 per year Total Rewards Package: Health coverage, retirement savings, flexible PTO, hybrid work, sabbatical, family support, growth opportunities, and a culture that values collaboration. Apply for this job * indicates a required field First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Country * Location (City) * Resume/CV * Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Do you require sponsorship for employment visa status to work in the United States? Are you legally eligible for employment in the United States? Are you able to work a hybrid schedule (two days a week) from the Chicago office? Confirm you have reviewed and agree to the starting salary range listed in the job description. LinkedIn Profile Voluntary Self-Identification We provide voluntary self-identification for government reporting purposes. Completion is voluntary and confidential. This information is not used in hiring decisions. As required by law, Walker Sands does not discriminate on the basis of protected status. If you belong to any protected veteran categories or have a disability, you may choose to identify for EEO purposes in accordance with applicable law. Disability Status: Options for voluntary self-identification are available; this information helps measure OFCCP compliance. This section is optional. Have a question for our hiring team? Get in touch.

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