SEO Director (40)

Remote Jobs; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k

Flexible PTO

15 paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Dentsu leads the SEO practice with a Director-level strategy role that shapes client work and internal growth across the United States. The position demands a seasoned leader who can deliver data-driven SEO programs while mentoring teams and collaborating across functions.

The role emphasizes innovation, AI adoption, and alignment with business goals, with a remote-friendly setup and a hybrid expectation to support the hub offices and client needs.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in SEO.
• 3+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven success leading large-scale SEO programs and managing high-performing teams.
• Deep expertise in technical SEO, content strategy, analytics, and cross-channel integration.
• Strong business focus and experience contributing to strategic planning and growth.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic vision for the SEO practice, ensuring alignment with company priorities and client needs.
• Act as a senior advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, providing thought leadership on complex SEO challenges.
• Represent SEO in cross-functional leadership forums and contribute to integrated digital strategy development.
• Lead and grow a high-performing SEO team, including Associate Directors, Managers, and Consultants.
• Foster mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning; support succession planning.
• Oversee operational performance, KPIs, and process optimization; ensure data-driven delivery.
• Drive innovation in SEO methodologies, tools, and service offerings, including AI and automation; expand engagements.

Skills

SEO leadership

Technical SEO

Content strategy

Analytics

Cross-channel integration

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Business focus

Job description

The Director, SEO is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the strategic direction of the SEO practice and ensuring its alignment with broader organizational goals. This role is ideal for a seasoned SEO leader who has demonstrated excellence in client delivery, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. The Director will play a key role in evolving our SEO offering, mentoring future leaders, and driving innovation and growth across the business.

Strategic Leadership

• Define and lead the strategic vision for the SEO practice, ensuring alignment with company priorities and client needs.
• Act as a senior advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, providing thought leadership and strategic guidance on complex SEO challenges and accounts.
• Represent SEO in cross-functional leadership forums and contribute to integrated digital strategy development.

Team & Talent Development

• Lead and grow a high-performing SEO team, including Associate Directors, Managers, and Consultants.
• Foster a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Support succession planning and career development across the SEO team.

Operational & Process Excellence

• Oversee operational performance of the SEO function, including resource planning, delivery quality, and process optimization.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to track team performance, client impact, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, data-driven SEO strategies.

Innovation & Growth

• Drive innovation in SEO methodologies, tools, and service offerings, including the integration of AI, automation, and emerging search trends.
• Partner with business development and client services teams to support growth opportunities and expand SEO engagements.
• Contribute to the agency’s thought leadership through internal and external channels.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in SEO, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven success leading large-scale SEO programs and managing high-performing teams.
• Deep expertise in technical SEO, content strategy, analytics, and cross-channel integration.
• Strong business focus and experience contributing to strategic planning and growth.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Team / Leadership Skills

• Forward-thinking and strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset.
• Collaborative leader who builds trust and alignment across teams.
• Proactive problem-solver with sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Committed to developing talent and fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture.
• Passionate about elevating the role of SEO in the broader digital ecosystem.

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.

Location:

USA - Remote – Florida – Eastern TimeBrand:

MerkleTime Type:

Full timeContract Type:

Permanent

The annual salary range for this position is 100K- 135K. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,
• Life insurance,
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,
• 401k,
• Flexible paid time off,
• At least 15 paid holidays per year,
• Paid sick and safe leave, and
• Paid parental leave.

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail toby clicking on the link to let usknow the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.