VP, SEO Lead - dentsu Media US

dentsu; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k)

Flexible PTO

15+ Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Leave

Parental Leave

Job summary

Dentsu X in New York seeks a VP of SEO to define vision, strategy and standards for organic search excellence across premier brands. You will lead a connected SEO capability across clients, talent, innovation and growth, collaborating with Paid Search, LLMO, Content, Commerce, Media, Data and Measurement leaders.

This hybrid, permanent role requires executive presence, exceptional people leadership and the ability to translate complex search signals into clear business outcomes, while building a

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in SEO, organic search or closely related digital disciplines.
• 5+ years of senior leadership experience managing teams, leaders and major client relationships.
• Deep expertise across technical SEO, content strategy, analytics and search performance.
• Strong understanding of AI-powered search, LLMs and changing discovery behaviors are reshaping SEO.
• Strong understanding of Paid Search and experience connecting paid and organic search strategy.
• Experience leading major website migrations, redesigns or technically complex SEO programs.
• Strong understanding of modern website technologies, enterprise platforms and SEO tools.
• Ability to connect search performance to meaningful business outcomes.
• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Strong commercial instincts with experience supporting pitches, growth and senior client relationships.
• Ability to set a vision and translate it into clear priorities, programs and measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision for SEO and define the US roadmap across iProspect.
• Establish best-in-class SEO across technical, content, authority, experience and emerging environments.
• Anticipate changes in search and translate them into client opportunities.
• Lead the evolution of SEO products, methodologies, tools and measurement approaches.
• Lead exceptional client work and senior engagements across priority accounts.
• Translate complex signals into meaningful business implications.
• Build and mentor a world-class SEO team with a culture of excellence.
• Drive growth and expand SEO relationships with clients and partners.
• Develop compelling narratives showing the business value of SEO.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic vision

Cross-functional collaboration

Change management

Executive communication

Business storytelling

Tools

SEO tools

Enterprise platforms

Job description

Job Description: The VP, SEO is a senior SEO leader responsible for helping set the vision, strategy and standard for how we deliver organic search excellence for some of the world’s leading brands. Search is evolving rapidly. Discovery now spans traditional search engines, AI-generated answers, large language models, social and video platforms, commerce environments and emerging agentic experiences. This role will define how iProspect brings those worlds together, while ensuring the fundamentals of great SEO remain strong. The VP, SEO will lead our SEO capability across clients, talent, innovation and growth, working closely with Paid Search, LLMO, Content, Commerce, Media, Data and Measurement leaders to build a more connected approach to search and discovery. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strategic vision, executive presence, strong people leadership and the ability to turn change into opportunity. This is a hybrid role. You may be based in New York City, NY, Chicago, IL, Detroit, MI, or Fort Worth, TX.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision for SEO Work with other dentsu teams to help define the US vision and roadmap for SEO across iProspect.
• Establish what best-in-class SEO looks like across technical, content, authority, experience and emerging search environments.
• Anticipate changes in search and consumer discovery, translating them into clear opportunities for clients and teams.
• Act as a senior voice for SEO and the future of search across iProspect, dentsu and the broader industry.
• Evolve SEO for the future of search Partner with Paid Search and LLMO leadership to build a more connected Total Search proposition.
• Help clients navigate the shift from traditional search toward AI-powered, multimodal and increasingly fragmented discovery.
• Lead the evolution of SEO products, methodologies, tools and measurement approaches.
• Identify where AI and automation can improve the quality, speed and scalability of our work.
• Lead exceptional client work Serve as the senior SEO strategic leader across priority clients and major transformation programs.
• Bring clear, compelling perspectives to executive conversations, business reviews, pitches and strategic recommendations.
• Translate complex search, technical and consumer signals into meaningful business implications.
• Ensure our work consistently meets a high standard across strategy, insight and execution.
• Build a world-class SEO team Lead and inspire a high-performing SEO organization with a culture of excellence, curiosity and accountability.
• Develop senior leaders and create clear pathways for emerging talent.
• Ensure our teams are building the capabilities needed for the next generation of search.
• Maintain strong standards across quality, client health, operations and delivery.
• Drive growth and influence Partner with Client Leadership and Growth teams to expand SEO relationships and unlock broader Total Search opportunities.
• Play a leading role in major pitches and senior client engagements.
• Develop compelling narratives that demonstrate the business value of SEO.
• Build strong relationships with platforms, technology partners and industry leaders to keep iProspect at the forefront of change.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in SEO, organic search or closely related digital disciplines, including experience with complex enterprise brands.
• 5+ years of senior leadership experience managing teams, leaders and major client relationships.
• Deep expertise across technical SEO, content strategy, analytics and search performance.
• Strong understanding of how AI-powered search, LLMs and changing discovery behaviors are reshaping SEO.
• Strong understanding of Paid Search and experience connecting paid and organic search strategy.
• Experience leading major website migrations, redesigns or technically complex SEO programs.
• Strong understanding of modern website technologies, enterprise platforms and SEO tools.
• Ability to connect search performance to meaningful business outcomes.
• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Strong commercial instincts with experience supporting pitches, growth and senior client relationships.
• Ability to set a vision and translate it into clear priorities, programs and measurable outcomes.

Benefits

• medical, vision and dental insurance
• life insurance
• short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k)
• flexible paid time off
• at least 15 paid holidays per year
• paid sick and safe leave
• paid parental leave

Location: New York

Brand: Dentsu X

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent

The annual salary range for this position is $160K–$210K. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

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 to [e-mail] by clicking on the link to let usknow the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.

Find out more about us

About dentsu For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us

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