[Hiring] Director of SEO @HIP

Role Description

ION is looking for a Director of SEO to own SEO strategy and performance end-to-end across HIP and Neon Canvas: technical, on-page and content, off-page and links, and local/GBP, plus emerging GEO/AEO (AI search), for a portfolio of orthodontic and dental partners. This is not a hands-on-keyboard SEO execution role.

The best fit has already run an SEO function at a similarly sized agency, managed multi-client SEO across 500+ accounts, and personally unified two brands or logos under one umbrella into a single operating model. Your job is to lead the leaders, set the strategy, own the numbers, and keep HIP and Neon Canvas ahead of every competing agency.

As Director of SEO, you'll:

• Lead the SEO Team Leads across both brands.
• Merge HIP and Neon Canvas SEO and content ways of working into one operating model.
• Own organic outcomes, client retention, delivery margin, and growth.
• Own innovation for the seat: scouting emerging strategies like AI-search visibility and LLM-citation tactics.
• Drive AI enablement across the SEO teams, in step with the Sr. Director of Operations on company-wide AI direction.

Qualifications

• You've run an SEO function at a similar-size agency, managing multi-client SEO across 500-plus accounts.
• You've personally led SEO across two brands or logos operating under one umbrella.
• You're a leader of leaders, not just a leader of specialists.
• You think in scorecards, margin, and roadmaps.
• You're commercially literate; P&L, utilization, and growth are familiar concepts.
• You're comfortable in the room with leadership, sales, and big partners.
• You're genuinely energized by what's next; AI search, LLM citations, and new content strategy excite you.
• You hold your Team Leads to a high bar because you hold yourself to one.

Requirements

• 2+ years as a Director of SEO or equivalent at an agency of similar size and scope, managing multi-client SEO across 500+ accounts.
• Direct experience unifying SEO across two brands or logos under one umbrella into a single operating model.
• 6+ years in SEO spanning technical, content/on-page, off-page/links, and local/GBP; agency or multi-client experience strongly preferred; orthodontic or dental experience is a plus.
• 2+ years leading other managers, not only individual specialists.
• Strong command of measurement (GSC/GA), modern SEO tooling, and emerging GEO/AEO.
• Proven change-management ability and experience merging or standardizing teams.
• Commercial literacy, including delivery margin, utilization, and growth, and experience partnering with sales.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• PTO eligibility after 90 days of hire (10 vacation days the first year of service, unlimited PTO starting year two, flexible partial days, and sick/personal days)
• Remote position (You MUST be located in the US.)

Schedule

• 8 am- 5 pm CST
• Monday to Friday