Director, Search Engine Optimization (Temp)

Horizon Media Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizon Media Inc. is seeking a Director to manage multiple teams and client portfolios across our rapidly growing SEO and AEO practice.

You will lead teams, build strong internal and client relationships, and develop traditional organic and AI-driven search strategies while mentoring staff and promoting a test/learn culture. You will guide POVs for partners, oversee cross-team collaboration, and drive innovation in search, analytics and optimization.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in an SEO-heavy environment.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Expert knowledge of SEO.
• Thorough understanding of AI search fundamentals and how brands appear in LLMs and AI responses.
• Expert knowledge of Google Analytics and Microsoft Office Applications.
• Familiarity with Screaming Frog, MOZ, SEMRush, Brightedge, Conductor, and/or other industry tools.
• Experience with AI visibility platforms like Profound, Scrunch, Adobe LLM Optimizer and/or other industry tools.
• Ability to utilize AI tools to streamline workflows and assess data outputs.

Responsibilities

• Lead applicable client relationship(s) on behalf of Search team.
• Manage subset of Search team across multiple clients, establishing/refining processes for creating, implementing, tracking, analyzing and optimizing Search campaigns in Google AdWords, Yahoo! Search Marketing, Bing, and other search engines.
• Motivate and inspire cross‑section of team members from junior analysts through associate directors to drive continual performance improvements in client business.
• Drive new business engagements from RFP completion, strategy development, and prospective client pitch through transition to Horizon management.
• Evaluate new technologies/strategies/techniques across the search landscape and gauge potential for experimentation within existing/new client engagements.

Skills

SEO expertise

Team leadership

Client relationships

Analytics interpretation

AI in SEO

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Screaming Frog

MOZ

SEMrush

BrightEdge

Conductor

Google Analytics

Job description

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Director to manage multiple teams and client portfolios across our rapidly growing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) practice. Key tasks will include team leadership, establishing and maintaining relationships with internal teams and external clients, developing and administering traditional organic and AI search account strategy, development of POVs for internal/external partners, mentoring junior staff and championing a test/learn innovation culture.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• 30% – Lead applicable client relationship(s) on behalf of Search team.
• 30% – Manage subset of Search team across multiple clients, establishing/refining processes for creating, implementing, tracking, analyzing and optimizing Search campaigns in Google AdWords, Yahoo! Search Marketing, Bing, and other search engines.
• 25% – Motivate and inspire cross‑section of team members from junior analysts through associate directors to drive continual performance improvements in client business.
• 15% – Drive new business engagements from RFP completion, strategy development, and prospective client pitch through transition to Horizon management.
• 5% – Evaluate new technologies/strategies/techniques across the search landscape and gauge potential for experimentation within existing/new client engagements.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Director of Search Engine Optimization is responsible for the direct management of the Associate Directors, Supervisors and Analysts on the team, as well as for overall team management.

Knowledge and Skills

• 8+ years of experience directly related to an SEO‑heavy environment and/or specifically with SEO.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Expert knowledge of all aspects of SEO.
• Thorough understanding of AI search fundamentals and how brands appear in LLMs and AI responses.
• Expert knowledge of Google Analytics and Microsoft Office Applications.
• Familiarity and experience with Screaming Frog, MOZ, SEMRush, Brightedge, Conductor, and/or other industry tools.
• Experience working with AI visibility platforms like Profound, Scrunch, Adobe LLM Optimizer and/or other industry tools.
• Ability to utilize AI tools to streamline workflows and assess data outputs.
• Ability to manage processes & projects across several clients at a time.
• A thorough understanding of key search engine ranking factors and information retrieval.
• Ability to conduct relevant keyword research and make recommendations.
• A thorough understanding of and the ability to conduct detailed on‑site optimization.
• Ability to interpret analytics data and identify actionable opportunities.
• Proven ability to autonomously manage an ongoing organic search campaign.
• A solid understanding of CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization / A/B Testing) – a plus.
• Working knowledge of HTML, PHP, Javascript, and/or CSS – a huge plus.
• Knowledge of the inner workings of local search & local rankings.
• Experience with local listings management (LLM) and local SEO.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal; ability to communicate effectively with developers & technical team as well as clients & account team.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.

Certifications

Brightedge Certification is a big plus. Google Analytics Certification is helpful.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Horizon Media is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.