Associate Director, SEO - Remote US

WHY DEPT®? We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA. We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter. At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build. THE ROLE: As The Associate Director, SEO, is a strategic leader responsible for steering organic growth for high-complexity, high-value accounts. You move beyond day-to-day execution to act as a senior consultant, bridging the gap between technical SEO and the broader media landscape. You are an expert at identifying how organic search can integrate with Paid Search, Content, and PR to create a "Total Search" advantage. As a leader within the craft, you are responsible for maintaining senior client relationships and ensuring our SEO strategies are driving tangible business results. The Associate Director, SEO, is a strategic leader responsible for steering organic growth for high-complexity, high-value accounts. You move beyond day-to-day execution to act as a senior consultant, bridging the gap between technical SEO, AI-driven discovery, and the broader media landscape. You are a pioneer in the shift toward Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), ensuring our clients remain visible as search evolves into an answer-engine world. As a leader within the craft, you are responsible for maintaining senior client relationships, driving the SEO portion of new business pitches, and ensuring our strategies—spanning technical, content, and authority—drive tangible business results. WHAT YOU’LL DO: • Direct long-term SEO and GEO strategies for enterprise accounts, ensuring visibility across traditional SERPs and AI-driven surfaces (LLMs, AI Overviews, etc.). • Lead the integration of SEO with other media disciplines (Paid Search, Social, PR) to maximize visibility and drive a cohesive "Total Search" strategy. • Serve as a senior strategic advisor to clients, presenting complex data-driven roadmaps and identifying "Growth Invention" opportunities that expand their digital footprint. • Architect comprehensive authority-building programs, overseeing the integration of strategic outreach and digital PR tactics to drive domain equity and brand trust. • Providing high-level oversight and technical expertise on site migrations, headless architecture, and advanced schema implementations. • Lead the integration of SEO with other media disciplines (Paid Search, Social, PR) to maximize visibility and drive a cohesive "Total Search" strategy. • Drive agency growth by contributing to the scoping, strategy, and presentation of SEO/GEO for new business pitches and existing account expansions.  • Identify and lead organic growth opportunities within existing client relationships, contributing to the agency’s revenue targets through proactive account expansion. • Serve as a senior strategic advisor to clients, presenting data-driven roadmaps that prove the ROI of organic search to C-suite stakeholders. • Stay at the forefront of search innovation, including AI-driven search (SGE), voice search, and advanced data visualization for SEO. • Directly manage and mentor a team of Managers and Associates, fostering a culture of high performance, technical excellence, and career progression. WHAT YOU BRING: • 5–7 years of SEO experience, with a proven track record of leading strategy for large-scale or enterprise-level clients. • Proven experience in people management (3+ years preferred), with a passion for developing talent and building high-performing teams. • Strong expertise in Technical SEO—while this is a leadership role, you must be able to "speak geek" fluently and navigate complex technical environments (JS rendering, API-driven SEO, advanced crawling, migrations, headless CMS, etc.). • A deep understanding of the evolving AI search landscape and a clear vision for how GEO integrates into a modern organic strategy. • Experience in business development, including a talent for scoping projects and a high "win rate" in lead-room pitch environments. • Advanced understanding of the "Total Search" philosophy—how Paid and Organic search work better together. • High-level proficiency in SEO enterprise tools (Botify, BrightEdge, Screaming Frog) and data visualization platforms (Looker Studio, PowerBI). • A "better together" attitude, with the leadership presence to influence cross-functional internal teams and senior-level client stakeholders. • Preferred experience with holistic search strategies that bring synergy between both Paid and Organic channels. WHAT DO WE OFFER? We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package: • Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage • 401k plan, plus matching • PTO • Paid Company Holidays • Parental Leave WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:  DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.  DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.  We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.  DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI. Learn more about DEPT®   DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.  We also encourage you  to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us. Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here. #LI-Remote The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible. US Remote Range $108,000—$125,000 USD