Director, SEO
Adelphi Graduate Careers
Summary
Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact on assigned accounts, leading the development and execution of innovative Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) programs that address clients' strategic business objectives. Bring deep knowledge of traditional and AI-powered search, helping clients improve their organic visibility across search engines, AI assistants, and other emerging discovery platforms. Responsible for building and developing strong SEO/GEO teams, ensuring the delivery of best-in-class strategies and programs.
Job description
Position Overview
Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact on assigned accounts, leading the development and execution of innovative Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) programs that address clients' strategic business objectives. Bring deep knowledge of traditional and AI-powered search, helping clients improve their organic visibility across search engines, AI assistants, and other emerging discovery platforms. Responsible for building and developing strong SEO/GEO teams, ensuring the delivery of best-in-class strategies and programs.
Strategy & Client Leadership
- Key participant in strategic SEO/GEO planning and execution.
- Develop a deep understanding of the client's business and the role SEO and GEO play in meeting business objectives.
- Lead the development and execution of integrated SEO/GEO strategies across traditional search engines and AI-powered discovery platforms.
- Ensure SEO/GEO best practices are applied consistently across the account, including technical optimization, content strategy, and off-site authority building.
- Accountable for SEO/GEO program performance, measurement, and achievement of client goals.
- Present, explain, and sell strategies and recommendations to clients.
- Provide thought leadership on the evolving search landscape, including AI search, LLM-driven discovery, and emerging optimization opportunities.
- Identify growth opportunities and partner with VP/SVP leadership to upsell and cross-sell services.
GEO Strategy & Innovation
- Lead GEO initiatives, including AI visibility audits, prompt and topic analysis, content optimization, technical AI readiness, and third-party influence strategies.
- Translate AI search performance data into actionable insights and recommendations to improve brand visibility, relevance, and inclusion in AI-generated responses.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen brand authority and content discoverability across AI search platforms.
- Partner with Content, Technical SEO, PR, Analytics, and other disciplines to execute integrated GEO strategies.
- Drive test-and-learn initiatives to evaluate emerging GEO tactics, tools, and measurement approaches.
Client & Cross-Agency Collaboration
- Serve as the relationship liaison among clients, partner agencies, and the SEO/GEO practice, ensuring organic search is integrated into key initiatives early and consistently.
- Develop client and partner agency presentations alongside VP/SVP leadership and contribute to enterprise-level strategy.
- Support external business development and marketing initiatives, including pitches, proposals, and case studies.
Team Leadership & Operations
- Accountable for setting expectations, providing feedback, mentoring, and developing team members.
- Build team capabilities across SEO fundamentals, GEO methodologies, emerging technologies, and analytical tools.
- Cascade agency updates and ensure the team remains informed of evolving priorities and best practices.
- Partner with the team to identify and execute testing and innovation opportunities.
- Ensure team members have access to the tools, training, and resources needed to excel, including SOURCE training, proprietary search tools, third-party SEO/GEO platforms, and productivity software.
- Drive operational excellence and workflow efficiency across accounts.
- Oversee the day-to-day use of Asana and implementation of SOURCE guides to deliver high-quality work efficiently and consistently.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
- 8+ years of experience in SEO, digital marketing, analytics, content strategy, or related disciplines, including significant hands-on SEO experience
- Strong understanding of traditional SEO fundamentals, including technical SEO, content optimization, keyword research, site architecture, and authority building
- Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience with GEO, including how brands achieve visibility across AI-powered search experiences such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews/AI Mode, Perplexity, and Gemini
- Understanding of AI search optimization techniques, including prompt research, AI visibility measurement, content optimization for LLM discovery, technical AI accessibility, and third-party citation strategies
- Ability to evaluate SEO and GEO performance, identify meaningful trends, and translate data into compelling insights and business recommendations
- Experience with SEO platforms such as Semrush, Ahrefs, BrightEdge, Screaming Frog, Botify, or similar tools
- Familiarity with AI search monitoring and analytics platforms such as Profound, Evertune, Bluefish, Scrunch AI, or similar tools
- Proficiency with web analytics and search performance platforms, including Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, and Adobe Analytics
- Proven ability to collaborate with and influence clients, partner agencies, and cross-functional stakeholders
- Experience growing, managing, and inspiring teams, with strong leadership and operational management skills
- Strong presentation, communication, and storytelling skills, particularly when explaining complex search and AI concepts to nontechnical audiences
- Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to staying current with rapidly evolving SEO/GEO practices, technologies, and industry developments
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and comfort working with data
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel
Benefits
- Minimum 3 days in office
- SOURCE training
- Proprietary search tools
- Third-party SEO/GEO platforms
Company overview
Adelphi Graduate Careers is the graduate recruitment division of Adelphi Group, a leading global pharmaceutical consultancy and healthcare services organization. Founded in 1986 and part of the Omnicom Corporation since 1998, Adelphi Group provides comprehensive strategic support services across the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle. The company specializes in strategic product development consultancy, health economics and outcomes research, real-world disease understanding, market research, medical communications, and post-marketing brand support services. With a global network of offices across the US, Europe, and Asia employing over 1,000 staff worldwide, Adelphi supports the world's leading pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations to improve patients' lives. The graduate program recruits talented individuals across various disciplines including life sciences, psychology, business studies, and health economics, offering roles in research, health economics, client services, and medical writing. Adelphi has been recognized as the 'Top Pharmaceutical Consultancy in Europe 2025' for its innovation and unique contributions to the life sciences sector.