Senior SEO Specialist

Are you passionate about data-driven strategies and staying ahead of SEO trends? We’re seeking a Senior SEO Specialist to drive organic growth through strategic content development, keyword research, and website optimization. This role involves executing effective link-building campaigns, enhancing site architecture, and optimizing copy and landing pages to improve search rankings. Additionally, your expertise in keyword research will ensure content remains competitive and impactful for both Darwill and our clients. With an eye for detail, you will align content with SEO best practices to maximize online visibility and performance.

If you’re ready to implement actionable SEO recommendations to enhance visibility, improve search rankings, and propel website performance, this job is for you!

About Us:

Darwill is a third-generation, family-owned, full-service marketing partner based in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. Since 1951, we’ve been impressing clients of all sizes and industries with our proven direct marketing solutions. At Darwill, we value respect, collaboration, empowerment, and giving back to the community. We're a team of spirited individuals working together to redefine client success

Key Responsibilities:

• Craft Content Strategies: Execute and manage strategies for content development. Ensuring your recommendations align seamlessly with SEO goals.
• Build High-Quality Links: Develop and implement link-building campaigns. From performing backlink analysis, opportunity identification, solicitation, and optimization. Your expertise is pivotal in enhancing online presence.
• Implement SEO Recommendations: Research and implement actionable SEO strategies that propel websites to the top of search engine rankings.
• Strategize Link Building: Develop and execute a link-building strategy that aligns with our goals.
• Optimize Website Structure and Content: Utilize your attention to detail to recommend enhancements to website architecture, content, linking, and other factors to improve SEO positions for target keywords.
• Enhance Copy and Landing Pages: Fine-tune copy and landing pages to maximize their impact on search engine rankings, ensuring every word contributes to SEO success.
• Conduct Keyword Research: Stay ahead of the curve by conducting continuous keyword research. Identify new opportunities and expand upon the keyword portfolio to maintain a competitive edge.
• Recommended Content Aligned with Best Practices: Research and implement content recommendations that support our organic SEO efforts.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee and manage the daily operations of the SEO team.
• Analyze SEO performance metrics and adjust strategies to improve rankings and drive quality traffic.
• Continuously enhance SEO processes and create training materials using Scribe and other platforms.
• Lead training for the sales team on SEO benefits and help identify sales opportunities.
• Present and discuss SEO strategies in sales meetings, ensuring alignment with the prospect’s needs and business goals.
• Assign and delegate SEO-related tasks to the digital team, including Tag Manager setup, best practices, and implementation.
• Cultivate strong client relationships and serve as the primary SEO contact for clients.
• Train the digital team on time tracking and monitor SEO client hours to ensure profitability and identify process improvement opportunities.
• Identify, recommend, and present key SEO upsell opportunities to drive additional client value.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior SEO specialists and other team members, fostering professional growth.
• Build and maintain client relationships.
• Communicate expectations and feedback effectively.
• Learn and adopt agency process and reinforce with internal team members.
• Collaborate with content, design, and development teams to ensure SEO best practices are implemented across the site.
• Generate regular performance reports and actionable insights for stakeholders using SEO tools and data analytics.
• Develop and implement long-term SEO strategies tailored to meet client goals and evolving search engine trends.
• Perform competitor analysis to identify new opportunities and trends in the SEO landscape.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or similar field
• 3-5 years of proven SEO experience
• Experience in the Healthcare, Home Services, and Dental sectors is a huge plus
• 2+ years of Drupal/WordPress experience
• Strong communication skills
• Google Analytics Certified, Google AdWords Certified, and Bing Certified is a plus
• Experience with tools such as Google Tag Manager, Google Business Profile, Screaming Frog, NinjaCat, SEMrush, Schema.org, etc.
• Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript development and constraints
• Experience with A/B and multivariate experiments
• Experience building and implementing landing pages
• In-depth experience with website analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Search Console, etc.)
• Knowledge of ranking factors and search engine algorithms
• Up to date with the latest trends and best practices in SEO

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• This job requires you to sit in a cubicle or office, on a computer (1 or more monitors) for most of the day.
• May be required to work extended/evening hours as needed.