Director, SEO & AI Search (Hybrid - Marina Del Rey)

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead GR0’s SEO department with a focus on innovation, performance, and retention across a diverse portfolio of D2C clients.
• Build full-funnel strategies grounded in data, user journey insights, and enterprise-level SEO needs from technical audits and content roadmaps to backlinking and digital PR campaigns.
• Manage and develop managers, including interviewing, hiring, performance reviews, compensation recommendations, and professional development planning for SEO talent at all levels.
• Own team P&L, budget forecasts, and resource allocation in collaboration with Finance and Executive Leadership.
• Identify and lead revenue-generating projects and multi-year expansion opportunities across accounts.
• Win over C-suite stakeholders and maintain long-term client satisfaction by quickly building trust, demonstrating results, and proactively evolving SEO strategy to meet business goals.
• Recover at-risk campaigns with speed and creativity, applying advanced SEO knowledge including JavaScript rendering, server logs, international SEO, and cross-platform strategies (e.g., Google, Bing, Amazon, App Stores).
• Build internal systems for knowledge management, QA processes, and training — ensuring consistency and growth across junior to senior SEO levels.
• Support Sales by creating compelling audits, proposals, and presentation materials. Join pitch calls to help close strategic opportunities.
• Stay on top of AI innovations and new tools that enhance SEO impact, reduce costs, or unlock new capabilities. Proactively evaluate and implement tools that drive performance.
• Work cross-functionally with leaders in Creative, Paid Media, Email & SMS, and Content to deliver cohesive omnichannel strategies and cross-sell complementary services.
• Represent the agency externally as a charismatic presenter, subject matter expert, and evangelist of GR0’s SEO methodology.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong leadership with 5+ years of hands-on SEO experience and 2+ years in a people management role, with mandatory agency experience.
• Proven ability to manage managers and lead high-performing SEO teams, including both in-house and offshore contributors.
• Deep SEO expertise spanning technical, content, and off-site disciplines, including recovery and re-optimization of at-risk campaigns.
• Enthusiastic about AI’s role in marketing  from prompt engineering to tool evaluation and excited to lead the department into the future of search.
• Financial acumen with direct experience managing team P&L and influencing profitability.
• A caring, team-first leader who inspires through action, elevates others, and builds trust through transparency and accountability.
• Track record of success cross-selling services, upselling accounts, and expanding enterprise relationships.
• Strong understanding of backlink strategies, content marketing, digital PR, and persona-driven content strategy.
• Comfortable on sales calls and presenting to clients, prospects, and internal stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with D2C brands and understanding the performance metrics that drive that space.
• Prior success working with offshore talent and managing multi-time-zone workflows.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and a history of launching new initiatives within an agency or startup environment.

Physical Requirements:

• This is a hybrid office position based in Los Angeles, CA. Candidates must be comfortable working onsite with cross-functional leaders and contributing to a highly collaborative environment.

What does the hiring process entail?

• Stage 1 (Recruiter Screen) - After you submit your application, our talent recruitment team will review and reach out to candidates. During this 30-minute phone call, we’ll discuss your career journey and professional motivators while learning about GR0 overall and the Creative Producer opportunity.
• Stage 2 (Hiring Manager/Leadership Interview) -  In this stage, you’ll be meeting with the Hiring Manager/Leadership to dive deeper into your experience, leadership style, and strategic approach to SEO. Expect a mix of technical and high-level questions focused on how you’ve driven growth, managed teams, and collaborated across departments. It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions about the role, team structure, and GR0’s SEO vision moving forward.
• Stage 3 (Executive Team Interview) - In this stage, you’ll meet with members of our executive team for a conversation centered around culture and team alignment. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you beyond your technical skill set and understand how you would contribute to and thrive within our company culture. Feel free to come with any questions about GR0’s values, vision, and leadership philosophy.
• Stage 4 (Co-Founders Connect) - The last conversation of the interview process is always a chance for you to connect with our CEO and Co-Founder, Kevin Miller, and our President and Co-Founder, Jon Zacharias. This conversation will focus on your long-term vision, alignment with GR0’s mission, and how you see yourself contributing at a strategic level. It’s also a great chance to ask high-level questions about the company’s direction and growth plans.
• Stage 5 (Offer) - If a #GR0mance has brewed, we will make you a competitive offer and hope you’ll accept!

What's in it for you?

• A Unique Opportunity to work for a rapidly growing company alongside next-level talent in a respectful, inclusive, diverse, and inspiring environment. #GR0Together
• Health and Family Benefits - GR0 offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage options for GR0ers and their families.
• Unlimited PTO - We know that rest is vital to your wellbeing and career success, so we give you the flexibility and trust to take it when you need it.
• Community Impact - GR0 is committed to supporting the communities where we work and live by partnering with local charitable organizations to give back in various ways.