AIO/SEO Strategy Director

At Avenue Z, we are a dynamic media and technology company with a powerful influence across all channels. Our leadership has been at the forefront of digital marketing and communications for over 30 years, pioneering innovative strategies that drive meaningful change in brand performance and business growth.

When you join Avenue Z, you become part of a team that doesn’t just adapt to change but leads it, guiding some of the world’s most influential leaders and brands to new heights. We are driven by a deep passion for our craft and an unwavering commitment to integrity in everything we do. If you share our passion and values, explore our current job openings to see how you can make an impact with us.

The AIO/SEO Strategy Director serves as the day-to-day executive owner of the AIO/SEO client portfolio, operating with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.

They are responsible for:

• Leading AIO/SEO strategy, client relationships, and performance management without requiring frequent senior escalation, while partnering closely with the VP of AI Strategy.
• Owning growth, retention, and client satisfaction across the AIO/SEO book of business.
• Positioning Avenue Z as a trusted, forward-thinking partner on the future of organic search and AI-driven optimization.

Responsibilities

Client Leadership, Growth & Portfolio Ownership

• Act as the primary senior relationship owner for AIO/SEO clients, trusted by CMOs and senior marketing leaders.
• Participate fully in Client Services rituals, including account lead meetings, portfolio-level reviews, and executive readouts.
• Report on and be accountable for:
• • AIO/SEO portfolio performance (traffic, rankings, conversions, revenue impact).
  • Client retention and risk, including proactive mitigation plans.
  • Expansion and upsell opportunities across the portfolio.
• Lead the expansion of existing SEO relationships into AIO deliverables, positioning AI optimization as the natural evolution of organic search strategy.
• Own high-stakes client conversations, including performance concerns, strategy pivots, contract renewals, and expansion discussions.
• De-escalate challenging situations and align internal teams around clear, credible recovery plans when performance is at risk.
• Partner with Business Development and Client Services to shape proposals, SOWs, and renewals that reflect AIO/SEO best practices and growth opportunities.

• Bring deep expertise in organic SEO, including:
• • Technical SEO (site architecture, crawlability, indexing, page speed, structured data).
  • Content strategy (topical authority, content hubs, intent alignment, on-page optimization).
  • Performance diagnostics (organic traffic, rankings, CTR, conversion paths, and attribution).
• Translate tactical SEO and AIO execution into business outcomes—traffic, qualified leads, revenue, and pipeline impact.
• Confidently explain technical SEO and AI-driven optimization concepts while anchoring recommendations in executive-level business language.
• Understand and articulate how SEO and AIO integrate with:
• • Paid media and performance marketing
  • Content strategy and production
  • CRO and experimentation
  • Brand and communications
  • Analytics, measurement, and reporting
• Design and oversee holistic search and AIO roadmaps that align with broader marketing and business objectives.

• Be AI-forward and practitioner-minded, comfortable using ChatGPT and other LLMs as part of daily work for ideation, content optimization, analysis, and internal process improvement.
• Partner with the VP of AI Strategy to evolve and refine AIO offerings as industry standards, search behaviors, and platform capabilities emerge.
• Guide clients through ambiguity in AI-driven search (e.g., generative search experiences, AI overviews) with confidence and credibility.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to operationalize AIO frameworks, including playbooks, QA standards, and measurement methodologies.
• Advocate for ethical, brand-safe, and performance-driven use of AI across content and search.
• Prior AIO-specific experience is a strong plus, but adaptability, curiosity, and strategic judgment are essential and non-negotiable.

• Be a people-first leader with strong executive presence, modeling calm, accountability, and strategic thinking.
• Serve as the first escalation point for the AIO/SEO Manager and broader SEO team, providing clear direction and support.
• Coach and develop team members on:
• • Client leadership and expectation-setting, including proactive communication and stakeholder management.
  • Executive-level communication and presentation skills, ensuring recommendations land with senior decision-makers.
  • Data storytelling and narrative-driven reporting, turning complex performance data into clear, persuasive narratives.
• Build and sustain a calm, accountable, and solutions-oriented team culture, even under pressure.
• Partner with People Ops and leadership to hire, onboard, and develop AIO/SEO talent in line with Avenue Z’s values and growth plans.

• Create and deliver polished, executive-ready presentations for client and internal leadership forums.
• Elevate the team’s ability to communicate complex SEO and AI concepts clearly, succinctly, and persuasively.
• Represent the AIO/SEO function with confidence and credibility across:
• • Executive reviews and QBRs
  • New business pitches and thought leadership opportunities
  • Cross-functional leadership meetings and planning sessions
• Serve as a visible champion for AIO/SEO internally, helping shape the agency’s point of view on the future of search and AI.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in SEO or organic search strategy, with demonstrated ownership of large, complex client accounts.
• 2–3+ years of people leadership experience, managing managers and/or multi-level teams within an agency or in-house marketing organization.
• Proven track record of:
• • Leading senior client relationships with CMOs and VP-level stakeholders.
  • Growing and retaining a portfolio of SEO or AIO accounts.
  • Navigating performance challenges and turning around at-risk relationships.
• Strong familiarity with AI tools and LLMs (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) and their application to SEO, content, and analytics workflows.
• Advanced proficiency with SEO and analytics platforms (e.g., Google Search Console, GA4, enterprise SEO tools) and comfort working with data to inform decisions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging to technical, marketing, and executive audiences.
• Experience in a digital agency, consultancy, or high-growth marketing organization strongly preferred.

Compensation

• Job Type: Full-time Employee, Hybrid
• Annual Base Salary: $100,000 - $120,000/year

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision and Dental Plan
• 401(k) Plan + 4% Employer Match
• Unlimited PTO
• Professional Development Stipend
• Flexible Working Hours
• Hybrid & Collaborative Environment
• Company-Wide & Team Events