VML is hiring : Senior Manager, Organic Search (SEO) in Chicago

Overview

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Senior Discoverability Manager, Organic Search, to lead comprehensive SEO strategies and deliverables across our diverse client portfolio, with a strong emphasis on e-commerce excellence. This pivotal role requires a seasoned SEO expert with deep technical expertise, exceptional client communication, and a passion for driving organic growth, particularly through understanding and leveraging AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). You will own the organic search workstream for assigned accounts, building comprehensive strategies, ensuring their successful implementation, and ultimately guiding our clients to achieve discoverability across the full consumer journey.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Client Ownership :

Serve as the primary SEO client-lead, acting as the main point of contact and trusted advisor.

Develop, present, and oversee the implementation of bespoke organic search strategies tailored to client-specific business objectives and industry landscapes.

Own the day-to-day function of organic search activities, optimizations, and reporting inputs for assigned clients, ensuring successful execution by relevant teams and consulting with supervisors for strategic direction as needed.

Help clients expand their knowledge and use of search engine optimization, driving internal client user adoption and best practices.

Organic Search Strategy & Oversight :

Provide strategic recommendations for improving organic search performance on websites in various stages of development.

Develop and execute advanced e-commerce SEO strategies, focusing on product discoverability, category optimization, and conversion rate optimization through organic channels.

Lead keyword research and on-page SEO optimization, including titles, meta descriptions, copy, images, and internal links, to enhance discoverability throughout the consumer journey.

Optimize product feeds, schema markup (e.g., Product, Review, Offer), and structured data for enhanced search visibility and rich results.

Conduct thorough site audits and competitive analyses to uncover opportunities for growth.

Drive holistic organic search optimization by providing advanced recommendations for diverse digital assets and complex e-commerce challenges, collaborating with UX / UI teams for integrated site design and product discovery, and ensuring high-quality, client-tailored SEO delivery.

Bring paid, owned, and earned media together to create cohesive interactions within the digital spaces, leveraging organic search as a core discoverability channel.

Reporting & Analysis :

Lead the analysis and reporting of organic search performance, including deep dives into e-commerce specific metrics (e.g., product page views, add-to-carts, conversion rates from organic search), to develop and present actionable insights and recommendations.

Determine KPIs for each recommendation, forecast impact, and develop case studies based on past work to support new business initiatives and validate client relationships.

Collaboration & Industry Leadership :

Collaborate closely with account teams and clients to understand requirements, ensuring seamless cross-departmental inclusion, and deliver effective, persuasive presentations on organic search findings, recommendations, and relevant industry trends.

Research and create POVs on emerging SEO trends and new channels (e.g., mobile, apps, voice search, AI-powered search), educating internal team members and clients.

What You'll Bring

Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in organic search (SEO), with a proven track record of driving measurable results (SERP rank, traffic, engagement, and conversions).

Hard Skills

Possess strong technical SEO skills, including site architecture, crawlability, and indexing, with proven experience managing and optimizing large, complex e-commerce websites and product catalogs.

Expertise in optimizing for Google Shopping, product carousels, and other e-commerce specific SERP features.

Comfort with AI platforms like ChatGPT and leveraging automation tools.

Soft Skills

Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal) for effective and persuasive presentations to diverse audiences, from developers to C-suite executives.

Passion for and understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), both in their application for SEO strategy and the evolving landscape of AI-powered search and ranking.

Demonstrate receptiveness to feedback, a willingness to learn continuously, and the resourcefulness and self-awareness to navigate challenges independently.

Ability to balance competing demands and prioritize tasks effectively.

Strong collaboration skills to work seamlessly across teams and departments.

Bonus Points If You Have

Experience or familiarity with the automotive industry.

Knowledge AEM and Adobe Analytics

Working knowledge of UX best practices and supporting site builds.

Experience writing for the web (short and long form).

Prior agency or consulting experience.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package.

$60,000-$140,000 USD

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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