SEO & AI Search Solutions Practice Lead

SEO & AI Search Solutions Practice Lead 

At Verndale, we guide our clients to create more human experiences that drive business outcomes. We combine award-winning digital expertise, with an intimate understanding of people’s behavior, to inspire, design and build connections at scale. 

As we expand our Marketing Services practice, we're hiring a SEO & AI Search Solutions Practice Lead — a strategic thinker, builder, and operator who can lead the evolution of our organic search offering. This includes modern SEO, Technical Optimization, and forward-looking solutions in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). 

This is an opportunity to be part of the evolution of a team and an organization that is on a path of dramatic growth. If you're passionate about driving performance through innovation, ready to lead strategic engagements, and excited by what’s next in AI-powered search, we want to talk. 
Verndale is fully remote enabled, and we embrace the evolving definition of the workplace. This position can be remote, or hybrid out of our Boston location.   

Responsibilities

Day-to-day, the SEO & AI Search Solutions Practice Lead will shape and deliver impactful organic search strategies that drive visibility and business results. This role leads client-facing SEO engagements, contributes to sales efforts, and evolves our capabilities to stay ahead of AI-driven search innovation, including: 

Lead and Evolve the SEO Practice 

• Build and own our integrated SEO offering across Technical SEO, Content Strategy, and AI-Search 
• Define scalable delivery frameworks, tools, and performance methodologies 
• Integrate emerging SEO trends — including AEO and GEO — into practical, results-driven offerings 
• Develop crawl-walk-run SEO maturity roadmaps for clients at varying levels of sophistication 
• Ensure quality, consistency, and strategic alignment across all client engagements 

Drive Client Impact 

• Lead client engagements from discovery through execution, ensuring strategies are aligned with marketing and business goals 
• Conduct and oversee keyword research, competitive analysis, audits, site architecture reviews, and performance reporting 
• Partner with content, UX, and development teams to optimize experiences that convert 
• Present findings, strategies, and progress directly to client stakeholders, including executive leadership 

Support Sales & Business Development 

• Collaborate with Business Development and Client Services to shape SEO solutions for new opportunities 

• Contribute to strategic pitches, proposals, and scopes of work 

• Participate in discovery calls and early-stage client conversations to help define SEO needs and solution design 

• Support marketing thought leadership, including POVs, webinars, whitepapers, and speaking engagements 

Mentor, Scale, and Enable 

• Coach and guide junior SEO specialists and cross-disciplinary team members 

• Lead enablement efforts and internal workshops to raise SEO and AI search fluency across the agency 

• Support hiring and team structure planning as the SEO capability grows 

• Maintain platform & industry certifications and advise on training paths for the broader team 

Qualifications

his pivotal role requires deep expertise in SEO strategy and execution, with a strong understanding of both traditional search fundamentals and emerging AI-driven search environments. 

• 8–10+ years of hands-on experience in SEO, with a track record of delivering measurable growth 

• 2+ years of Management experience of a team of 3+ SEOs  

• Experience in a consulting, agency, or enterprise digital marketing role, with client-facing responsibilities 

• Deep knowledge of Technical SEO, content-driven SEO strategies, and site performance optimization 

• Familiarity with AI search behavior, LLMs, and tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Bing Chat, and Google SGE 

• Fluency with enterprise-grade SEO platforms and analytics tools: Google Search Console, GA4, Looker Studio, SEMrush Enterprise, Conductor, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, etc. 

• Familiarity with DXP platforms such as Optimizely, Sitecore, Adobe, WebFlow and Commerce platforms such as Big Commerce, Shopify, etc. 

• Strong experience in pre-sales environments: scoping, pitching, and presenting to senior stakeholders 

• Ability to analyze performance data and translate strategic insights into action 

• Collaborative mindset with excellent communication and storytelling skills 

• A growth-oriented perspective and curiosity about how search and technology will continue to evolve 

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Digital Strategy, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field preferred 

Ten Great Reasons to Work at Verndale

1. We are a rapidly growing company that is just as entrepreneurial today as when we were founded in 1998.
2. We are relentlessly curious and enthusiastically solve our clients’ complex business problems through technology, data, and design.
3. We foster a culture that enables every person in the organization to do the best work of their career.
4. We offer regular training and professional development to move careers forward.
5. Client and employee satisfaction are our two most important business metrics.
6. We celebrate and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion.
7. We offer generous paid company holidays, vacation, and paid sick time to every employee starting on day one.
8. We provide top-of-the-line benefits including health, dental, vision, 401K, LTD, STD, Life Insurance, EAP, HRA and more.
9. We support a healthy work/life balance.
10. We are fully remote enabled and embrace the evolving definition of the workplace.

About Verndale

Verndale is a digital experience agency dedicated to driving growth by helping businesses create meaningful human connections in an increasingly digital world. With offices in Boston, Montreal, Los Angeles, Quito, and hubs across the Americas, we partner with marketing and technology leaders to deliver personalized web, mobile, and ecommerce solutions that elevate customer experiences. 
At Verndale, we thrive on collaboration and innovation, offering a full range of services that span strategy, design, development, personalization, SEO, analytics, and digital advertising. We celebrate diversity and inclusion, striving to create a climate of respect essential for both individual and company success.
If you're ready to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making an impact and driving growth, we invite you to explore a career at Verndale. 

Compensation & Benefits

$100,000 - $160,000 USD

In accordance with applicable law, the above salary range provided is Verndale's reasonable estimate of the  salary for this role. The actual amount may vary, based on non-discriminatory factors such as location, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. In addition to salary, Verndale also offers a competitive benefits package.

Verndale is proud of the fun, diverse, and respectful company environment we enjoy on a daily basis. Competitive compensation and comprehensive coverage for medical, dental, life, disability and a 401(k) savings plan are offered to all full-time employees. Ample company paid holidays and personal time off make having a work-life balance possible. For some roles, remote work is a definite possibility; we believe in hiring the best and keeping our own happy and motivated.
 Verndale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.