Search Engine Optimization Manager

Search For Hire; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Search For Hire is partnering with a US law firm to hire its first in-house SEO Manager in Austin, TX. You will own the organic search strategy and lead hands-on implementation, delivering measurable growth and acting as a pivotal contributor to a growing marketing function.

You’ll shape the roadmap for SEO across traditional and AI-enabled search, driving lead generation and conversion while aligning with expansion plans and potential acquisitions.

Qualifications

• Track record of generating leads through organic search in competitive markets.
• Ability to create an overall strategy and carry out hands-on implementation.
• Strong knowledge of technical SEO, on-page optimisation, content strategy and local SEO.
• Experience measuring performance beyond rankings and traffic, with a focus on enquiries, lead quality and business impact.
• Understanding of how AI search is evolving and practical testing of AEO/GEO opportunities.
• Confidence using GA4, GSC, crawling software and SEO research platforms.
• Ability to prioritise independently and explain recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute an SEO strategy aligned with lead generation and business growth goals.
• Audit existing performance, identify opportunities and prioritise a clear roadmap.
• Improve local search visibility through location-focused content and local SEO activity.
• Lead keyword research and content planning across services, locations and customer questions.
• Drive technical and on-page improvements for structure, linking, crawlability and indexation.
• Develop approaches to improve visibility in AI-generated answers and emerging search experiences.
• Shape content briefs and optimisation recommendations to build relevance and trust.
• Identify opportunities to improve the journey from organic visit to enquiry.
• Establish reporting connecting search visibility to qualified leads and commercial outcomes.
• Collaborate with the CMO and marketing team to assess SEO opportunities in acquisitions.

Skills

Strategic SEO planning

Technical SEO

Local SEO

Content strategy

Analytics & measurement

Tools

GA4

Google Search Console

Crawling software

SEO research platforms

Job description

Own the strategy. Lead the implementation. Build the organic search function.

We’re partnering with an established US law firm to hire its first in-house SEO Manager.

With ambitious growth plans, including expansion through acquisition, the business is looking for someone who can turn organic search into a stronger source of qualified leads.

Reporting directly to the CMO, you’ll shape the SEO roadmap and take responsibility for delivering it. This is a hands-on individual contributor role with the opportunity to help build the team as the business grows.

The opportunity

You’ll own organic search strategy across traditional search engines and emerging AI search experiences, combining SEO with answer engine optimisation (AEO) and generative engine optimisation (GEO).

Your focus will be on commercial outcomes: attracting relevant prospects, generating qualified enquiries and connecting organic performance to business growth.

What you’ll do

• Build and execute an SEO strategy aligned with lead generation and business growth goals.
• Audit existing performance, identify opportunities and prioritise a clear roadmap.
• Improve local search visibility through location-focused content, Google Business Profiles and other local SEO activity.
• Lead keyword research and content planning across relevant services, locations and customer questions.
• Drive technical and on-page improvements, including site structure, internal linking, crawlability and indexation.
• Develop approaches to improve visibility in AI-generated answers and other emerging search experiences.
• Shape content briefs and optimisation recommendations that build relevance, authority and trust.
• Identify opportunities to improve the journey from organic visit to enquiry.
• Establish reporting that connects search visibility and traffic to qualified leads and commercial outcomes.
• Work with the CMO and wider marketing team to support expansion, including assessing SEO opportunities and risks associated with acquisitions.

What we’re looking for

• A track record of generating leads through organic search in competitive markets.
• The ability to create an overall strategy and carry out hands-on implementation.
• Strong knowledge of technical SEO, on-page optimisation, content strategy and local SEO.
• Experience measuring performance beyond rankings and traffic, with a focus on enquiries, lead quality and business impact.
• An understanding of how AI search is evolving and a practical approach to testing AEO/GEO opportunities.
• Confidence using tools such as Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, crawling software and SEO research platforms.
• The ability to prioritise independently and explain recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders.

Experience in legal or personal injury SEO would be particularly valuable. We’re also interested in candidates from other lead-generation-focused sectors, especially those with strong local or multi-location search experience.

Agency and in-house backgrounds are both welcome.

• Own the function: Become the first in-house SEO hire and shape the roadmap.
• Work directly with the CMO: Connect your work to wider marketing and commercial priorities.
• Support ambitious expansion: Help develop organic search as the business grows through acquisition.
• Build towards leadership: There is scope to add to the team over time.
• See the impact: Take ownership of a channel with a direct connection to new business.