[Hiring] Managing Director of SEO @829 Studios

Role Description

The Managing Director of SEO oversees the Search Engine Optimization department at 829 Studios, ensuring department profitability, client satisfaction, and team culture. This role requires a strategic yet practical mindset, driving innovation while maintaining operational excellence. A successful candidate has demonstrated experience aligning organic search strategies to accomplish business goals and managing executive stakeholder relationships.

The Managing Director of SEO is responsible for the overall health, profitability, and strategic direction of the SEO department. This leader owns the agency’s approach to modern search, with a primary focus on AI Search Optimization (AIO) and the evolving landscape of organic discovery. While maintaining excellence in traditional SEO disciplines, including technical SEO, on-page optimization, and authority building.

This role is fundamentally responsible for advancing how clients are discovered across generative AI engines, conversational interfaces, and emerging search technologies. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking leader who is actively shaping the future of search, not reacting to it.

What You'll Do

• Team Leadership & Management
  • Ensure department objectives, strategy, and culture align with the company’s strategic goals.
  • Manage a growing team of SEO and AIO subject matter experts, with direct responsibility for team retention, talent acquisition, and structure.
  • Directly manage the SEO Leadership team, consisting of a Director, Head of AIO, and multiple Associate Directors.
• P&L Management
  • Ensure that the department is performing to appropriate financial KPIs – contribution margin, net revenue retention, client retention, and revenue growth.
  • Routinely collaborate with company leadership and finance to evaluate goals and performance.
• Strategic Innovation & Growth
  • Lead department strategic initiatives including productizing SEO and AI Search Optimization (AISO) services, developing scalable processes, and building internal learning resources.
  • Leverage external channels to showcase and promote thought leadership and subject matter expertise.
• Executive Sponsorship
  • Provide strategic direction and executive sponsorship for 3–5 key accounts.
  • Participate in new business strategy, pitching, and development for key agency opportunities.
• Own Department Net Revenue Retention
  • Consistently maintain target client retention across SEO service lines while actively working to expand monthly recurring revenue through targeted opportunities and initiatives.
• Client Services
  • Act as a key point of contact for client escalations, utilization reviews, and operational performance issues.
  • Collaborate closely with 829’s Client Services department to identify and address at-risk clients.
• Team Leadership and Development
  • Manage daily team operations, ensuring optimal team, individual, and project utilization while prioritizing team member well-being and professional development.
• Process Improvement
  • Innovate and refine departmental processes and best practices, with a special emphasis on training resources, product development, and scalable SEO/AIO frameworks.
• Quality Assurance
  • Ensure SEO outputs meet standards for accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
  • Conduct quality checks on strategies, technical audits, reporting, and client deliverables.
• Retain and Grow Talent
  • Implement department structures and development programs that retain and grow key talent in associate, mid-level, and senior management roles.
• HR & Staffing
  • Oversee hiring, staffing, payroll, performance reviews, and other HR-related responsibilities for the SEO department.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration
  • Foster collaboration across teams including Paid Media, Content, Design, and Development.
  • Act as a technical and strategic leader within the department and across the organization.
• Mentorship & Leadership Development
  • Collaborate closely with key team members, fostering their professional growth by enhancing their strategic thinking, technical SEO expertise, and leadership skills.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with other department leaders to ensure alignment across marketing channels and to integrate SEO insights into broader marketing strategies.
• Innovation & Modern Search Leadership
  • Define and lead the agency’s approach to AI Search Optimization (AISO) and modern discovery, setting the standard for how clients are discovered across generative AI engines, conversational interfaces, and emerging search platforms.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in experimentation, innovation, and testing within AIO/GEO.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex concepts in straightforward terms.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams, with a focus on performance management and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Direct experience in SEO with a background in B2B, B2C, and e-commerce environments.
• Deep expertise in traditional SEO disciplines including technical SEO, on-page optimization, site architecture, and authority development.
• Strong understanding of emerging search technologies including AI-driven search engines, generative search experiences, and conversational discovery platforms.
• Experience using leading SEO and analytics platforms such as Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Screaming Frog, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, and similar tools.
• Strong analytical capabilities and ability to translate organic search performance into business impact.
• Experience with tools such as ClickUp, NetSuite, Google Data Studio, PandaDoc, Google Workspace, and HubSpot is a plus.
• 5+ years of Director-level experience and at least 10+ years of management experience.

Benefits

• Remote Workplace: You have the option to work at our office in Boston or remotely in one of these states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, ID, IL, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, SC, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA.
• Paid Time Off: Receive generous paid vacation benefits that increase each year you’re with us, 12 Company Holidays, and Summer Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• 401K + Match: 401K plan with 4% Safe Harbor employer match after one year of employment and financial literacy services provided through our retirement provider.
• Life Insurance Benefit: No-cost coverage to ensure peace of mind for your family.
• Short Term Disability Benefit: We've got you covered if you need to be OOO with an illness or injury that keeps you out of work.
• Healthcare: Choose from several competitive healthcare plans for you and your family with 80% employer coverage for all medical and dental premiums, 100% employer coverage for vision, and the option to participate in the FSA program.
• Commuter Benefits: Allocate pre-tax funds towards your commute to save up to 40% per year in transportation expenses.
• Continuing Education: Access to monthly team-led webinars, exclusive 829-cohort based learning, digital course platforms, and funding opportunities to attend national conferences and events.