Director Search Engine Optimization

At Manifest, our work is fueled by data, ignited by creativity and driven by results. We are a proudly independent, full-service agency represented by diverse talents, backgrounds and expertise, and we have one goal: to deliver breakthrough ideas and brand experiences that drive emotional connections and measurable impact. Let’s chat.

As media and content discovery habits shift, search has fragmented into traditional and AI — but that's only part of the holistic search experience. The full journey needs to be optimized across a complete paid, earned, shared, and owned (PESO) ecosystem, since product and service discovery increasingly happens across video and social platforms, too.

We’re hiring a Director, AI Search & SEO to lead our Universal Search capability - one of three pillars within our Performance Marketing department, alongside Performance Media and Data Intelligence. Our ideal candidate is a true player-coach with ~8–10+ years leading an SEO practice, current hands-on expertise across technical, content, and off-page SEO, and a forward-looking point of view on how AI and generative platforms are reshaping discovery.

The Director reports to the SVP, Performance Marketing & Data Intelligence. This role can be based (hybrid) in Chicago, D.C., NYC or Phoenix.

• Own holistic SEO and AI search strategy - translating audience insights and search trends into visibility-driving programs across technical SEO, content, off-page authority, and AI-driven discovery (AEO/GEO)
• Concept and execute full Universal Search strategies across a complete PESO ecosystem - a T-shaped skill set that spans deep SEO expertise and the range to shape creative and content solutions alongside it
• Serve as the client-facing search leader, building trust through strategic counsel, quality deliverables, and confident presentation
• Connect Universal Search with Account, Precision Media, Audience Intelligence, Data & AI, and other agency disciplines, aligning strategy, timelines, and resourcing to drive unified client outcomes
• Lead, mentor, and elevate 1–2 direct reports, growing the team and its skill set as the capability scales
• Lead practice and capability building, codifying standard operating procedures and templated offerings, and driving innovation as AI search evolves, to make the practice repeatable, consistent, and scalable
• Play a leading role in new business, shaping search and AI-search points of view, proposals, competitive research, staff planning, and SOWs for pitches
• Identify audience and search trends (behavioral, demographic, and psychographic) to inform content planning and continuously optimize client performance
• Measure and report on performance through regular reporting, strategic deliverables (e.g., QBRs), and new business pitches

• ~8–10+ years in SEO, a true player-coach with current hands-on expertise across technical, content, and off-page SEO, and a proven track record leading an SEO practice or team at an agency
• Working knowledge of how AI and generative platforms are reshaping discovery (AEO/GEO), with an innovation-minded, forward-looking perspective on the future of search
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate high-level client goals into actionable, results-driven search strategies across accounts
• Proven ability to present with authority and credibility in high-visibility settings, including large group and client-facing presentations, on screen and in person
• Experience working on integrated teams, partnering effectively with media, data, creative, developers, and account teams rather than operating in a channel silo
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented; able to operate both independently and as a team player, and delegate when appropriate
• People…