Director, SEO & AI Optimization

MissionOne Media & BarkleyOKRP are looking for an experienced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Director. The Director of SEO & AI Optimization will help brands improve performance on traditional search engines like Google and in Generative Search Engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity and others. This role requires deep technical SEO engineering knowledge, an understanding of content ideation, optimization and production, and a thirst for all things AI. The role will be required to help lead testing, adoption and training of the best AI tools for; vibe coding, process optimization, performance tracking and more. Research, write and publish point of view articles on various topics.

This role will help build out our office (New York), manage and train junior team members, and lead on 4-5 clients. You will lead client calls, weekly, monthly and quarterly reports. Lead Quarterly Business Reviews, identify upsell opportunities and help pitch new business. 

You must be a fearless, self-starter that is great with clients and working with others. You must not take yourself too seriously, love a good laugh, and be always willing to get work done. You have to be brave enough to not wear a seat belt, on a rocket ship, because you want to lean forward and embrace the stars.

Client Delivery

• Collaborate cross-functionally with senior leaders across Performance, CRM, Strategy, and other orgs as needed for client goals.
• Build frameworks and innovative processes for the SEO & AI team to facilitate daily client work, onboarding, and retention. 
• Define opportunities for strategic SEO growth (inclusive of all engines, and AI / LLMs) across clients and BOKRP proprietary solutions.
• Communicate with client stakeholders up to C-level in status and build client relationships.
• Oversee SEO, Content, AI client work and GEO strategy for 4-5 brands
• Collaborate with product and development teams to implement technical SEO initiatives, including website redesigns, migrations, and new site development.
• Communicate client roadblocks and challenges effectively to leadership to resolve and mitigate risk on future projects.
• Proven ability to secure client renewals and increase investments by developing innovative and conversion-driven project proposals for existing and new initiatives.
• Assist with new business pitches as needed.
• Must have hands on experience logging into different CMS like WordPress and being able to make changes to client websites

AI Innovation

• Evolve continuously by leveraging AI tools, in-depth data insights, user research, and competitive intelligence to deliver impactful solutions quickly and at scale.
• Research and test new AI-powered solutions to build efficient team processes and cutting-edge service solutions.
• Initiate and launch new service offerings or products, especially within AI search platforms and the evolving organic search landscape.

Team Leadership

• Embrace and encourage a culture based on teamwork, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and mutual respect.
• Lead and motivate internal teams to work collaboratively to increase client performance and meet business objectives.
• Lead training programs for junior team members and cross-team educational initiatives.

Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree in marketing, advertising, or business preferred
• 8+ years of experience leading Organic Search and Content Marketing strategy for brands.
• 5+ years of prior daily client-facing (or agency) experience without supervision.
• 4+ years in people management and training.
• Proven technical SEO experience across various CMSs, data consoles, including working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Expert SEO and content marketing specialist versed SEMrush, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, GA4, Screaming Frog, etc.
• Confident communicator with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts and translate them to senior management and non-technical personnel. 
• Understands AI algorithms and their influence on brand performance in AI search platforms through website content, structure, and user experience.
• Possesses enthusiasm and a strong desire to rapidly develop innovative generative engine optimization (GEO) strategies in response to the evolving industry.
• Detail-oriented, great communication skills, and a high sense of urgency.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to think strategically.
• You hate micromanagers because you are extremely reliable, strategic, and get the job done.
• Genuine empathy for both clients and users, coupled with strong storytelling abilities.

BarkleyOKRP’s Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

• We believe being radically diverse and inclusive is the key to becoming one of the world’s great creative idea companies. By embracing everything that makes our partners who they are and what makes them unique to the world around them, we create the conditions and capacity to help creative, original thinking thrive. 
• BarkleyOKRP is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging as part of our corporate strategic goals, supported by a formal DEI+B program, Employee Resource Groups, Director of Diversity leadership and agency commitment to The Brand Lab, Creative Accelerator, Fellowship, MAIP, and BLAC.