Job Description

Shaw Search Partners is proud to partner with a global digital marketing and tech solutions firm to recruit a Director of SEO & AIO.

Overview

The Director of SEO & AIO (AI Optimization) leads the company's search visibility strategy across traditional and emerging AI-driven platforms. This role is responsible for shaping the future of the SEO and AIO program—ensuring our philosophy, technology, and execution evolve ahead of industry change. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with a forward-looking vision for how search, AI, and content discovery intersect.

This leader will guide internal teams, influence cross-department strategy, and advise executive leadership on innovation, tools, and processes to keep clients at the forefront of search visibility.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Vision

• Own the overall SEO & AIO program philosophy, ensuring alignment with agency goals and hospitality industry trends.
• Translate the evolving landscape of search and generative AI into actionable strategy for both internal teams and clients.
• Develop frameworks for AI discoverability (LLM.txt, FAQ optimization, entity mapping, structured data) that complement traditional SEO.
• Identify emerging opportunities across Google, Bing, OpenAI, Gemini, and other AI-driven platforms to maximize visibility for clients.

Strategic Oversight & Innovation

• Audit and evolve existing SEO processes, tools, and deliverables to ensure scalability and continued effectiveness.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, automation tools, and AI integrations that improve efficiency and performance.
• Lead internal initiatives for testing, adoption, and documentation of AI-based strategies (e.g., AI Overviews, Search Generative Experience, content optimization tools).
• Collaborate with the Commercial Strategy and Creative teams to align messaging and structure for both human and AI readability.

Leadership & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Serve as the senior subject-matter expert across departments—Media, Copy, Development, and Client Service—providing strategic direction and education.
• Mentor and support the SEO Specialist and Performance team on execution standards, while focusing your own efforts on innovation and program evolution.
• Partner with leadership to forecast resource needs, define success metrics, and report on program performance and future opportunities.
• Represent SEO/AIO strategy in key client conversations, thought leadership presentations, and executive meetings as needed.

Research, Analysis & Reporting

• Continuously monitor algorithm and AI model updates, interpreting implications for the hospitality sector.
• Develop quarterly trend reports and thought leadership insights for internal and external audiences.
• Oversee the measurement of search visibility across both traditional and AI search platforms, defining KPIs that reflect changing discovery behaviors.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in SEO strategy, including at least 2 years in a leadership or director-level role.
• Deep understanding of technical, on-page, and off-page SEO; schema markup; and entity optimization.
• Proven experience adapting strategies to new AI-driven search experiences (AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.).
• Ability to translate complex algorithmic or AI concepts into practical strategies and training for internal teams.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience presenting to executives and clients.

*This is a hybrid role based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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