Director, Organic Acquisition

Accountabilities:: Organic Search Strategy & Growth Develop, own, and execute the overall organic acquisition strategy, covering technical SEO, content optimization, AEO, LLM visibility, and emerging search technologies. Drive sustainable growth in organic website traffic, customer engagement, and lead generation through innovative and scalable acquisition initiatives. Lead the organization's evolution from traditional SEO practices toward a comprehensive search discovery strategy that incorporates generative AI, LLM-powered search results, and agentic solutions. Identify opportunities to improve brand discoverability, organic visibility, and conversion performance across digital channels. Monitor changes in search engine algorithms, AI-powered search experiences, and consumer search behavior to ensure strategies remain competitive and relevant. Technical SEO & Content Optimization Partner with Product, Engineering, and UX teams to develop and execute an aligned SEO roadmap, ensuring technical priorities are integrated into product development and website improvements. Collaborate with dedicated product managers and SEO engineers to prioritize technical initiatives and deliver measurable improvements. Conduct regular technical SEO audits, competitor assessments, and website health evaluations using industry-leading tools. Work closely with Editorial teams to identify content opportunities aligned with consumer search intent, audience needs, and business objectives. Develop innovative content optimization frameworks, including modular SEO content, FAQ schemas, structured data, and AI-assisted content creation. Champion experimentation and testing initiatives to improve content quality, search performance, and organic conversion rates. Develop strategies that help search engines and LLMs understand, interpret, and surface relevant website content. Analytics, Performance & Technology Own organic search analytics and performance measurement, tracking key indicators such as rankings, traffic, click-through rates (CTR), conversions, and lead generation. Translate performance data into actionable insights, strategic recommendations, and continuous optimization initiatives. Select and manage SEO vendors, technology platforms, and analytical tools to support the organization's organic acquisition objectives. Leverage platforms such as Google Search Console, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and Lumar to monitor and improve performance. Partner with Paid Media teams to align organic and paid acquisition strategies, maximize visibility, and improve full-funnel marketing effectiveness. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of two direct reports, establishing clear objectives, accountability, and professional development opportunities. Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Editorial, Analytics, Marketing, and other stakeholders to integrate SEO and AEO priorities into broader business strategies. Advise on organic acquisition strategies for additional B2B and investor relations digital platforms. Partner with dealer-focused SEO services teams to share best practices, provide strategic guidance, and contribute to industry thought leadership. Act as the organization's subject matter expert on SEO, AEO, AI-powered search, LLM optimization, and evolving consumer discovery behaviors. Educate internal stakeholders on the importance of organic search for long-term business growth, brand visibility, and digital performance. Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Requirements: At least 10 years of overall professional experience, with the majority focused on SEO, organic acquisition, or a closely related digital marketing discipline. At least 5 years of people management experience, including leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams. Deep expertise in SEO strategy, including technical SEO, content SEO, search visibility, and organic growth optimization. Strong technical understanding of how large language models (LLMs) process, interpret, and surface digital content, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders. Proven track record of driving substantial organic traffic and business growth through innovation, experimentation, and data-driven optimization. Experience developing and executing scalable SEO and organic acquisition strategies in complex digital environments. Strong understanding of emerging AEO practices, generative AI search experiences, LLM optimization, and evolving search technologies. Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and secure alignment around technical and strategic SEO priorities. Highly proficient in SEO and analytics platforms, including Google Search Console, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, Lumar, and similar tools. Strong analytical capabilities, with experience interpreting search performance data, identifying growth opportunities, and translating insights into measurable results. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present strategies and recommendations to senior leadership and multidisciplinary teams. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, project management, and problem-solving abilities. A forward-thinking mindset, with a passion for innovation, continuous learning, and adapting to rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven environments. Preferred qualifications: Experience managing organic acquisition for high-traffic websites generating more than 2 million monthly organic visits. Previous experience within a media company, digital marketplace, or large-scale consumer-facing platform. Experience developing external thought leadership through industry speaking engagements, professional publications, or strategic content contributions. Familiarity with automotive marketplaces, e-commerce, or other competitive consumer search environments. Benefits: Competitive annual base salary: $154,200–$192,750, depending on skills, qualifications, and professional experience. Comprehensive healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on the first day of employment. Retirement savings: 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions and immediate vesting. Employee ownership opportunities: Employee Stock Purchase Plan, allowing employees to purchase company shares at a discounted rate. Flexible time off: Unlimited Flex Time Off, 11 paid holidays, and one additional paid volunteer day annually. Family support: Paid parental and caregiver leave. Remote work support: One-time $350 home office stipend and an additional $70 monthly allowance for virtual-first employees. Professional development: Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per year. Career growth: Opportunities to develop leadership capabilities, expand strategic responsibilities, and contribute to major digital transformation initiatives. Innovative environment: The opportunity to work with advanced AI technologies, data-driven strategies, and evolving digital marketing solutions. Collaborative culture: A supportive workplace that values innovation, open communication, diverse perspectives, and shared success. Meaningful impact: The opportunity to shape the future of organic search and digital discovery while driving measurable business results.