SEO Director (40)

Merkle Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Disability insurance

15 paid holidays per year

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Dentsu is seeking a Director of SEO to set the strategic direction of the SEO practice and align it with client needs and company priorities. This senior leader will mentor teams, drive innovation, and elevate SEO offerings across the agency.

The role emphasizes client delivery excellence, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and strategic growth initiatives, with flexible hub office locations and a hybrid work model.

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.

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 and strategic guidance on complex SEO challenges and accounts.
• Lead and grow a high-performing SEO team, including Associate Directors, Managers, and Consultants.
• 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.
• Drive innovation in SEO methodologies, tools, and service offerings, including AI and emerging trends.
• Partner with business development to support growth opportunities and expand engagements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive presence

Cross-functional collaboration

Client advisory

Team development

Data-driven decision making

Communication

Mentorship

Talent development

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.
• 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.
• 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.

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

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,
• At least 15paid holidays per year,
• Paid sickand safeleave, and

Dentsu alsocomplieswithapplicable state and local lawsregardingemployee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time offpursuant tothe Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act,in accordance withits plans and policies.Forfurther detailsregardingDentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.