Associate Director, SEO Specialist

The Associate Director, SEO Specialist owns the day-to-day operations of the SEO Specialist team, acting as the primary point of leadership for the Specialists and Leads who execute technical and tactical SEO work across the department. This role manages the intake and prioritization of day-to-day SEO tasks coming in from other groups, oversees the Specialist responsible for pre-launch SEO on web projects, and runs point on SEO audits, pre-sales support, and delivery of any signed SEO products. 

The Associate Director blends operational leadership with hands-on SEO expertise, ensuring the Specialist team runs smoothly, delivers consistent quality, and supports both existing client engagements and new business opportunities.

Job Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Own the day-to-day management of the SEO Specialist team, including intake, triage, and prioritization of SEO tasks and requests coming in from other groups across the organization.
• Directly manage the Specialist team — including Lead SEO Specialists and SEO Specialists — overseeing staffing, workload distribution, quality of output, and delivery timelines.
• Manage and mentor the SEO Specialist responsible for pre-launch SEO on web projects, ensuring pre-launch SEO deliverables (technical setup, migrations checklists, redirect mapping, information architecture review, etc.) are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and quality reviewer for all pre-launch SEO work on web projects, coordinating closely with Web, Dev, UX, and Project Management teams.
• Run point on SEO audits across the department — scoping, resourcing, overseeing execution, and ensuring final deliverables meet quality and strategic standards.
• Run point on pre-sales SEO support, including audits, technical scoping, and SEO input for prospective client pitches, RFPs, and proposals.
• Own the management and delivery of any signed SEO products, ensuring scope, timelines, staffing, and quality expectations are met from kickoff through delivery.
• Partner with the Director of SEO Operations to plan team capacity, forecast staffing needs, manage escalations, and align department priorities.
• Set, refine, and enforce SOPs and QA standards across day-to-day Specialist work, pre-launch SEO, audits, and pre-sales engagements.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex or high-stakes technical SEO issues arising from Specialist tasks, web project launches, audits, or pre-sales work.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with SEO Strategists, Content, UX, Dev, Sales, and Media teams to ensure Specialist execution and pre-launch SEO support broader campaign and business goals.
• Provide regular reporting and status updates to the Director of SEO Operations on team capacity, task throughput, pre-launch project status, audit pipeline, pre-sales activity, and signed product delivery.
• Identify gaps in current processes and workflows, propose solutions, and drive continuous improvement across day-to-day execution, pre-launch SEO, audits, and pre-sales.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and professional development planning for the Specialist team, working with Leads to build a strong bench of talent.
• Ensure the team's work consistently reflects current search trends, algorithm shifts, LLM/AI search behaviors, and technical SEO best practices.
• Manage SEO projects. Coordinate with internal team resources and sales to scope short term SEO projects. This includes client communication and project management when needed.
• Oversee internal Link Building service. Manage team resources and maintain internal partner databases.
• Additional duties, as assigned

Requirements

• 5–7+ years of SEO experience, including demonstrated expertise in technical SEO, audits, pre-launch/migration SEO for web projects, and pre-sales support.
• Proven experience managing a team, including managing other managers/leads. Strong understanding of the full SEO lifecycle — strategy, execution, QA, reporting, and refinement — along with the ability to run day-to-day team operations at scale.
• Demonstrated success partnering with Sales or New Business teams on pitches, proposals, or scoping.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, competing priorities, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the SEO team credibly in pre-sales and client-facing settings.
• High proficiency in tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, Botify/DeepCrawl, SEOClarity/BrightEdge, and standard SEO toolsets.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills, able to create formulas, manipulate data, and perform trend analysis.
• Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and common CMS platforms (WordPress, Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, etc.). Experience collaborating with Development, UX, and Project Management teams on web launches and migrations.

Benefits

Empowering your journey through every stage of growth—so you can do your best work and live your best life.

Boxer Benefits

Exceptional teams deserve exceptional support. Our employee benefits package includes generous paid time off, healthcare coverage, retirement savings options, professional development opportunities, and additional perks designed to help you stay healthy, productive, and fulfilled both at work and at home.

• Health Insurance
• 401(k) & Retirement Savings
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Flexible Scheduling
• Remote-First Culture
• Professional Development
• Employee Referral Program
• And more!

Salary Description: $85,000 - $105,000

Our Company Values

Great results don’t happen by chance. They come from talented people working together with shared expectations, mutual respect, and a commitment to doing what’s right.

At OuterBox, our values guide how we approach our work, support our teammates, and serve our clients. They influence the decisions we make every day and help create a culture where people can do meaningful work, build lasting relationships, and grow throughout their careers.

Growth At OuterBox

We believe growth is oxygen—for our clients, our company, and our people. That’s why we’re committed to helping every teammate reach their next stage of growth.

Every person joins OuterBox with different experiences, ambitions, and career goals. We believe great leaders meet people where they are, providing the support, resources, and opportunities needed to grow professionally, develop new skills, and build a rewarding career.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, take on new challenges, or grow into leadership, you’ll find a team invested in helping you get there.



Physical Demands

• Primarily involves sitting at a desk and using a computer for extended periods of time.
• Light physical activity is also required, such as carrying equipment or setting up for presentations.
• Requires a high level of mental focus and the ability to work under pressure.
• Good manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to use a computer for extended periods are required.

Work Authorization/Requirements

• Must be located in the USA.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Our company is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status.

OuterBox may use AI-assisted tools to support the hiring process. Human review is involved in all employment decisions.