[Hiring] SEO & Generative Engine Optimization Specialist @Marcus Thomas LLC

Role Description

We’re looking for an experienced SEO specialist or independent consultant to join our Search and AI Discovery team on an ongoing freelance basis. Working closely with our VP, Search and AI Discovery, you’ll take on assigned SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) work that helps client brands grow their visibility across traditional search engines, AI-powered search experiences and large language models (LLMs).

This is a hands-on role for someone who can contribute quickly without extensive training and manage assigned tasks and projects independently. The work brings together:

• SEO
• AI optimization (AIO)
• GEO
• Content strategy
• Local search
• Technical optimization, including structured data and entity work

Day to day, you’ll analyze websites, search results, content, structured data, local visibility and AI responses, then turn those insights into clear, prioritized recommendations for content, development, UX and marketing teams.

The ideal candidate brings deep, hands-on SEO expertise and practical experience analyzing or improving how brands show up in AI-driven search. The strongest candidates treat SEO and AI optimization as one connected discipline.

This role suits someone experimental who likes testing hypotheses, challenging conventional SEO assumptions and evolving their approach as search behavior changes. This is a search and optimization role, not a prompt engineering or AI development role.

The engagement is ongoing at 15–20 hours per week, making it a good fit for those who enjoy limited-hours work and collaborating closely with a team that values your expertise.

Opportunity for Growth

As our SEO and GEO search optimization business continues to grow, this opportunity may expand to include additional hours or potentially transition into a full-time position. Any future expansion will depend on client needs and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• SEO strategy and execution
  • Conduct keyword, topic, competitor, SERP, search-intent and content gap research.
  • Develop and execute SEO recommendations for various digital experiences.
  • Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, headings, content structure, and more.
  • Monitor rankings, traffic, conversions, indexing and organic search performance.
  • Translate SEO findings into clear, prioritized recommendations.
• AI search, AIO/GEO and LLM optimization
  • Support strategies to improve brand visibility within AI-generated answers.
  • Monitor and analyze brand and competitor visibility across AI platforms.
  • Identify content gaps that prevent brands from being selected by AI systems.
  • Optimize content for both traditional and AI answer retrieval.
  • Evaluate external influences on brand visibility within AI-generated answers.
  • Test emerging AIO/GEO tactics and share findings.
  • Stay current on developments in AI search and optimization practices.
• Technical SEO and structured data
  • Conduct technical SEO audits covering various technical aspects.
  • Identify technical barriers that limit access to important content.
  • Develop and validate structured data recommendations.
  • Collaborate with developers to translate findings into actionable requirements.
• Content and entity optimization
  • Help shape content strategies based on various factors.
  • Create content briefs incorporating keywords and user intent.
  • Improve content for search engines and AI systems.
  • Identify opportunities for authoritative supporting content.
  • Balance optimization for search visibility with readability and conversion goals.
• Local SEO
  • Optimize location pages for local discovery.
  • Support Google Business Profile optimization.
  • Monitor local rankings and identify opportunities.
  • Identify inconsistencies affecting local discovery.
• Measurement and reporting
  • Build and maintain reporting showing visibility and business impact.
  • Track key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Turn data into concise insights.
  • Help design testing methodologies for SEO and AI initiatives.

What Success Looks Like

First 90 Days

• Get up to speed on assigned clients’ businesses and competitors.
• Take ownership of assigned SEO work.
• Complete baseline SEO audits for assigned brands.
• Deliver a first set of prioritized recommendations.

Within six months

• Manage assigned SEO tasks with minimal direction.
• Identify and help resolve SEO opportunities.
• Support ongoing AI search visibility analysis.
• Help put reporting in place.

As the engagement continues

• Provide practical recommendations connecting search visibility to business outcomes.
• Help identify competitive search and AI discovery gaps.
• Share tested AIO/GEO tactics and findings.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on SEO experience
• Demonstrated experience with AI search optimization strategies
• Strong understanding of on-page, technical, content and off-page SEO
• Experience conducting keyword research and competitive analysis
• Working knowledge of Google Search Console and modern SEO platforms
• Understanding of structured data and related concepts
• Experience using analytics platforms to evaluate organic performance
• Strong understanding of generative AI and LLM-based discovery
• Ability to translate complex SEO and AI concepts into clear recommendations
• Strong analytical, writing, research and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Enterprise or multi-location SEO
• Entity-based SEO and knowledge graphs
• Schema.org implementation
• Log-file or crawler analysis
• JavaScript SEO
• Local SEO at scale
• Conversion-focused SEO
• Experience in highly competitive or regulated industries

Team Values

• Community
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Curiosity
• Diversity
• Make Work Play

Our Hiring Process

Our hiring process helps us learn about your experience while giving you a clear understanding of the role, team and agency.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Marcus Thomas, different perspectives strengthen our teams and our work. We’re committed to fair access to opportunity and an environment where employees can contribute, develop and succeed.