Director, SEO

Ketchum

Chicago, IL

Full Time

Director

120k-140k

4 days ago

Job Description

About the Role

As a global communications consultancy with 100 years of experience, Ketchum is a trusted partner who is equal parts creative and analytical. Ketchum is a place where all perspectives and points of view are welcome and encouraged. We are a collection of communications specialists, content creators, creatives, researchers, data analysts, media pros, digital strategists, issues and crisis counselors, and tech nerds. We work with the world's leading brands, emerging start-ups, and everything in between. We are beyond proud to have created some of the most celebrated and award-winning campaigns in our industry. We encourage our employees to be curious, brave, inspiring, and a force for good. Let's talk. Come belong at Ketchum! We are looking for a Director, Search to join our team, who will be a critical part of taking our team to the next level, leading innovative search strategies and client engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Lead development and execution of cutting-edge organic search strategies across traditional SEO, generative AI search, and social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, etc.)
Serve as a trusted client advisor and primary contact, delivering strategic counsel and performance-driving insights
Stay ahead of evolving search trends—particularly within generative AI and conversational search interfaces (e.g., Google SGE, ChatGPT Browsing)
Leverage social search intent and trends to develop strategies that drive brand relevance across non-traditional platforms
Use tools such as GA4, Adobe Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and social analytics platforms to derive insights, optimize performance, and demonstrate ROI
Translate complex data into compelling narratives for executive-level reporting
Lead, mentor, and inspire cross-functional teams; foster a culture of experimentation, collaboration, and search excellence
Build team capabilities through training, coaching, and scalable processes
Represent Ketchum in client presentations, industry events, and thought leadership content
Champion SEO innovation within the agency and externally
Oversee keyword research, competitive analysis, and on-page/off-page SEO, as well as social search optimization, to drive discoverability and engagement
Conduct in-depth search landscape analyses to identify opportunities, benchmark against competitors, and inform strategic direction across organic, generative, and social search platforms
Support integrated search strategies by understanding SEM best practices and paid/organic synergies

Requirements

10+ years of experience in SEO, organic and/or generative search, with proven results in optimizing across multiple search environments—including social platforms
Demonstrated ability to lead strategic planning, diagnose performance gaps, and translate client goals into integrated search programs
Strong familiarity with SEM and understanding of paid/organic synergy
Expertise in analytics and SEO tools, including GA4, Adobe Analytics, SEMrush (or similar), and strong skills in Excel and PowerPoint
Experience managing cross-functional teams and presenting to senior executives and clients
Outstanding communication skills and ability to inspire trust
Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and deliver results in a dynamic agency environment
BS/BA degree preferred

Nice to Have

Diversity of thought, curiosity, background, and experience

Benefits & Perks

Hybrid Workplace: Three days a week in the office
Robust benefits program, effective within 30 days of hire
Paid maternity/paternity leave
Family Forming Benefits
Employee Recognition Program
Generous paid time off including vacation, wellness, and extended holiday schedule
Various development opportunities to enhance personal and professional life
Tuition reimbursement
Monthly Cell Phone & Wi-Fi reimbursement

Working at Ketchum

We value diversity of thought, curiosity, background, and experience. Ketchum encourages a culture of innovation, experimentation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Employees are empowered to be curious, brave, inspiring, and to make a positive impact through communication.

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