SEO & AI Search Strategist

Search is changing fast and we?re looking for someone who understands where it?s going next. This role is built for a strategist who sees organic visibility as bigger than blue links and keyword rankings. You?ll help shape how brands are discovered across traditional search engines, AI-generated answers, conversational interfaces, and emerging discovery ecosystems. You?ll lead initiatives that improve discoverability across Google Search, AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other evolving platforms. Combining technical SEO, content strategy, semantic optimization, and performance analysis into one cohesive growth function. We?re not looking for someone who simply ?does SEO.? We?re looking for someone who understands how search behavior is evolving and can build strategies around it.

What You?ll Own Search Visibility Strategy

• Develop multi-layered organic search strategies spanning:
• Traditional SEO
• AI-generated search experiences
• Conversational and answer-based discovery
• Zero-click search environments
• Identify opportunities to increase visibility across search engines, AI assistants, and recommendation-driven interfaces
• Stay ahead of shifts in search behavior, algorithm changes, SERP evolution, and AI-driven user journeys
• Build frameworks that improve authority, topical relevance, entity recognition, and discoverability

Content Systems & Topical Authority

• Create scalable content strategies rooted in intent, audience behavior, and semantic relevance
• Build topic ecosystems and internal linking structures that strengthen topical authority
• Guide the development of high-quality content designed for both human users and machine interpretation
• Optimize existing content for extraction, summarization, citation, and conversational retrieval by AI systems
• Partner with creative, development, and marketing teams to align content with growth objectives

Technical & Semantic Optimization

• Ensure sites maintain strong technical foundations including crawlability, indexing, structured data, and site architecture
• Implement schema and entity optimization strategies that improve machine understanding
• Identify technical barriers limiting organic performance or AI discoverability
• Collaborate with developers on performance improvements and scalable SEO implementations

Measurement & Growth Analysis

• Define success metrics across organic visibility, engagement, lead quality, conversions, and AI presence
• Use GA4, Search Console, Ahrefs/Semrush, and emerging AI visibility tools to uncover opportunities and performance insights
• Turn data into actionable recommendations and iterative growth strategies
• Monitor competitive positioning across both traditional and AI-powered search environments

Integrated Growth Collaboration

• Work cross-functionally with paid media, CRO, sales, and creative teams to align messaging and maximize acquisition impact
• Support campaigns where SEO, content, paid acquisition, and AI visibility operate as a unified strategy
• Help shape internal processes and educate teams on the future of search and discovery

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in SEO, content strategy, or organic growth
• Strong understanding of: Technical SEO fundamentals, Content strategy and keyword/intent mapping, Evolving search landscape (AI search, zero-click behavior, entity-based search)
• Experience creating or managing high-performing content programs
• Familiarity with structured data, schema, and semantic SEO principles
• Analytical mindset with the ability to tie work to business outcomes
• Clear communicator who can translate complex search concepts into actionable plans

Benefits Compensation will be determined based on your experience, skill set, and the impact you?re positioned to make within our team.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Training & Development
• Work From Home

Work Location: Hybrid in Raleigh, NC (must be able to work on-site multiple days per week) *This role will be strictly in person only for the beginning of your employment until we're both comfortable with being virtual part-time. Schedule: Monday - Friday, hours flexible between 8:00am - 6:00pm