Director of SEO

Are you a dynamic SEO leader who's already rethinking search for the AI era - not just optimizing for Google, but for how brands show up in Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and every other place people are now asking questions?

Impact Media, a fast-growing digital marketing agency based in Huntington, WV & Montreal, QC, is looking for an experienced Director of SEO to build and lead our SEO department. This is a senior, strategic role - you'll own client strategy, reporting, and team-building, while directing a mix of internal team members and our existing contractor network to execute the work.

This is not a hands-on-keyboard-only role, and it's not entry- or mid-level. We're looking for someone who has already led SEO for real client accounts, already knows how to build and manage a team, and is ready to build something with us as we scale - not learn how to do the job.

About Impact Media

Impact Media is a fast-growing digital marketing agency based in Huntington, WV & Montreal, QC, specializing in social video production, content creation, paid advertisement, conversion focused funnels, and search engine optimization. We believe marketing should be sustainable, ethical, and impactful - our mission is to help purpose-driven brands and social impact initiatives succeed through content that aligns with their values. We work with a range of clients across industries, with a particular focus in addiction recovery center marketing for search engine optimization - a space where trust, accuracy, and ranking credibility (E-E-A-T) really matter.

Role & Responsibilities

• Own SEO strategy, roadmaps, and reporting across our client portfolio - including guiding new clients into our existing account infrastructure
• Lead and build the SEO department: mentor internal team members, and vet, onboard, and manage contractors from our existing network (or source new ones as we scale)
• Develop and maintain internal playbooks/SOPs so strategy and quality stay consistent as the team grows
• Be the primary strategic and communication point of contact for clients - proactive updates, clear reporting, and confident handling of client meetings
• Build and maintain conversion-focused reporting systems that clearly tie SEO work to leads and ROI, not just rankings and traffic
• Lead our approach to AEO/AI search - how our clients show up in AI-generated answers (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, AI Overviews, etc.) - and how we use AI tools internally to work smarter and faster
• Conduct technical and content audits to identify growth opportunities and competitive advantages
• Stay ahead of algorithm updates, AI search evolution, and emerging tools to keep our service offering sharp

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of professional SEO experience, with a proven track record leading and growing client accounts
• Experience managing multiple client accounts simultaneously
• Direct client-facing experience - comfortable running meetings, handling questions in real time, and being the face of strategy for a client
• Demonstrated experience building conversion/lead reporting systems - you must be able to walk us through real case studies and show how you've tied SEO work to actual business results, not just traffic or keyword rankings
• Experience leading or building a team - internal staff, contractors, or both
• Working knowledge of AI/LLM tools for both SEO workflow efficiency and AI search optimization (AEO/GEO) - you should be able to speak to how you've used AI in your own process, and how you're positioning clients to show up in AI-generated answers
• Comfortable with our core toolset: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google (Looker Studio, Search Console, Business Profile, GA4), Search Atlas - open to other tools you bring with you
• Strategic Vision - can build roadmaps tied to real client business goals, not vanity metrics
• Leadership - can build and run a team, not just execute individually
• Systems-Minded - thinks in playbooks and repeatable processes as we scale
• Communication - clear with clients and non-technical stakeholders
• Results-Oriented - obsessed with proving ROI, not just activity

Commitment + Engagement Specifications

• Location: Montreal, QC
• Approximately 40 hours per week based on client demand and project requirements.
• Access to a coworking space for collaboration 1–2 days per week may be available for local contractors, but attendance is optional unless otherwise agreed.
• The contractor is responsible for determining the manner and method of performing the services, while meeting agreed-upon deliverables, deadlines, quality standards, and client expectations.
• Initial three-month engagement period, after which both parties may review and continue the engagement.

Target start date: August 15, 2026

Compensation

• CAD $80,000–$95,000 annually (contract value), based on experience and scope of services.
• Invoices submitted in accordance with the Independent Contractor Agreement.
• Performance incentives may be available based on department growth, client retention, and overall business performance.
• Significant opportunity for increased compensation as the SEO department and client portfolio expand.

Discretionary Perks & Incentives

• Performance based bonuses
• Wellness programs
• Flexible Work Hours
• Coworking Space Access
• Professional Development Support
• Wellness Support Programs
• Financial Wellness Education
• Collaborative Team Environment

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