Animalz is hiring: Director of SEO & AI Search in San Diego

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About AnimalzAnimalz is a content marketing agency that partners with B2B SaaS companies, venture capital firms, and other tech organizations to drive long-term, sustainable growth through high-quality content.Our fully remote team of strategists and content marketers delivers content strategies tailored to each customer's goals and context. We pride ourselves on our deep interest and understanding of software products and audiences, our commitment to thought leadership, and our relentless pursuit of mastering our craft.Our customers include industry leaders like Amplitude, Ramp, and Wistia, as well as high-growth early-stage startups.About the RoleAs Director of SEO & AI Search, you will lead and shape Animalzs SEO and AEO-focused services, helping clients adapt their content strategies for organic visibility in both traditional and emerging search environments.That means youll develop SEO and AI search strategies, guide clients through evolving best practices, and ensure our team delivers content that helps our customers grow and stays ahead of search trends. This role is ideal for someone who has a strong foundation in leading SEO programs and is ahead of the curve in adapting to AEO and AI innovation. More than anything, Animalz needs a leader to take the helm and lead our customer and audience base through these seismic shifts in search. You'll be responsible for managing a substantial book of business with a key performance indicator of maintaining monthly revenue retention and revenue growth. Youll manage a team of 3 content marketers and SEO specialists, overseeing all aspects of SEO and AEO content performance along with an extended team of freelance contributors.The role offers significant growth opportunities, with the expectation to grow your book of revenue within 12 months, with bonus incentives included.What You'll DoStrategy & ExecutionDevelop and evolve SEO strategies tailored to both traditional search and AI-powered discovery tools (like

Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Gemini)Conduct full-funnel SEO and AEO strategy planning for new and existing clients, including content and technical audits, keyword opportunity analysis, strategy development, and moreTest AI search tactics to help clients appear in AI summaries and conversational search outputsStay current on trends across SEO and AI-assisted search to inform client strategies and internal educationCustomer ManagementServe as a strategic partner to customers, collaborating on growth goals, content pivots, and performance optimizationJoin regular client calls alongside content marketers to present strategy, report on performance, and surface new opportunitiesGuide teams through monthly reporting and ongoing performance tracking using tools like GA4, GSC, Ahrefs, Semrush, Scrunch, and Screaming FrogEnsure strategy delivery aligns with client expectations, business goals, and Animalzs standards of qualityTeam LeadershipManage a distributed team of 3+ content marketers and SEO specialistsHold regular 1:1s to coach team members, share feedback, and support their career growth and professional developmentFoster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, skill-building, and experimentation in SEO and AI workflowsOperational ImprovementContribute to internal process improvements for how we deliver SEO and AI-focused workDevelop reusable frameworks and templates that improve the consistency and efficiency of strategy development and reportingProvide input on team capacity planning, project prioritization, and delivery pacingContribute to the development of AI workflows for SEO content production.Agency Marketing & Thought LeadershipWrite original, thought-leading content for the Animalz blog on SEO, AI search, and content strategyAct as a public-facing voice of Animalz SEO by publishing regularly on LinkedIn and participating in industry discussionsOffer strategic feedback and insights on internal agency marketing initiatives, particularly where

they intersect with search visibilityCore CompetenciesSEO & AI Search ExpertiseDeep understanding of traditional SEO and its evolving relationship with AI-driven discovery enginesAbility to develop creative strategies for emerging search paradigms (AI Overviews, search agents) and familiar with content SEO, technical SEO, and SERP featuresStrategic Thinking & LeadershipTalent for aligning SEO content strategy with broader business goals and identifying new opportunities for organic growthExperience leading high-performing, distributed teams with a commitment to coaching and developing talentCommunication & Tool ProficiencyClear, confident communicator able to present complex strategies and performance data to stakeholders at varying technical levelsStrong command of SEO platforms (GA4, GSC, Ahrefs, Semrush, Screaming Frog) and AI tools for search optimization and content productionWhat Were Looking For6+ years in SEO or content strategy roles, preferably within B2B SaaS and marketing agencies3+ years managing SEO strategy across multiple clients or internal brandsDeep knowledge of SEO fundamentals, technical audits, and content optimizationDemonstrated success adapting strategy for AI search environments and producing high-quality content with generative AIExperience managing full-time team members and freelance contributorsTrack record of delivering clear, measurable results via organic channelsExcellent writing, communication, and stakeholder management skillsComfortable navigating ambiguity and pioneering new strategic approachesOur ValuesAt Animalz, our values guide how we show up for our customers, our teammates, and the content we create. We're looking for team members who embody these principles and want to grow within them.Value Over Vanity: We measure our success in customer impact, not surface-level praise. We focus on content that drives sustainable, long-term results by understanding and serving our customers' customers.Two Steps Ahead: Great work

anticipates needs before they arise. We're proactive and strategic, always looking for ways to solve problems before they become blockers.Power Source; Not Power Trip: We lead through service, not authority. We energize our teammates and customers, convert obstacles into momentum, and focus on elevating others.Pursue Mastery: We believe great work comes from deliberate practice, open collaboration, and constant curiosity. We're always learning, evolving, and testing new approaches.Left Brain, Right Brain, Robot Brain:Our best work blends creativity, analysis, and smart use of technologyincluding AIto drive meaningful outcomes without sacrificing humanity or voice.In the Arena:We're not spectators. We experiment boldly, contribute to thought leadership, and stay immersed in our customers' industries so we can lead from experience, not theory.Your First 90 DaysDays 130: Learn & ObserveComplete comprehensive onboarding to understand Animalz processes, tools, and cultureShadow customer meetings across SEO accounts to understand current approachMeet with the team to understand customer acquisition processBegin building relationships with your team members and key stakeholdersReview current customer onboarding processes and identify opportunities for "WOW factor" enhancementsDays 3160: Take OwnershipTake ownership of 1-2 SEO customer relationshipsConduct audit of current content initiatives and delivery processesIdentify opportunities for improving qualityDevelop initial plans for team development and process improvementsBegin assessing the current book of business and develop strategies for growthDays 6190: Drive ImpactOwn all SEO customer relationships and lead strategic presentationsImplement refined processes for managing content productionBegin implementing your vision for the SEO content teamDemonstrate measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and team efficiencyEstablish key metrics tracking for customer retention and account growthWorking

ArrangementsLocation: Fully remote, Americas or EMEATimezone Requirements: 4+ hours of overlap with US time zonesCompensation & BenefitsSalary Range: $100,000 - $140,000 USD annually plus possible incentive-based compensationThis role offers competitive compensation with placement within the range based on experience, skills, and demonstrated impact in previous content leadership roles.Health & vision insurance (or wellness stipend for non-US team members)401(k) retirement plan (US only)Unlimited PTO policyFlexible working scheduleTeam lunch stipendDiversity, Equity & InclusionAt Animalz, we believe diverse perspectives make us stronger. We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups in tech and marketing, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.Equal OpportunityAnimalz is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.#J-18808-Ljbffr