Job Description:

The VP, SEO is a senior SEO leader responsible for helping set the vision, strategy and standard for how we deliver organic search excellence for some of the world’s leading brands. 

Search is evolving rapidly. Discovery now spans traditional search engines, AI-generated answers, large language models, social and video platforms, commerce environments and emerging agentic experiences. This role will define how iProspect brings those worlds together, while ensuring the fundamentals of great SEO remain strong. 

The VP, SEO will lead our SEO capability across clients, talent, innovation and growth, working closely with Paid Search, LLMO, Content, Commerce, Media, Data and Measurement leaders to build a more connected approach to search and discovery. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strategic vision, executive presence, strong people leadership and the ability to turn change into opportunity. 

This is a hybrid role. You may be based in New York City, NY, Chicago, IL, Detroit, MI, or Fort Worth, TX. 

Responsibilities:

Set the vision for SEO 

• Work with other dentsu teams to help define the US vision and roadmap for SEO across iProspect. 

• Establish what best-in-class SEO looks like across technical, content, authority, experience and emerging search environments. 

• Anticipate changes in search and consumer discovery, translating them into clear opportunities for clients and teams. 

• Act as a senior voice for SEO and the future of search across iProspect, dentsu and the broader industry. 

Evolve SEO for the future of search 

• Partner with Paid Search and LLMO leadership to build a more connected Total Search proposition. 

• Help clients navigate the shift from traditional search toward AI-powered, multimodal and increasingly fragmented discovery. 

• Lead the evolution of SEO products, methodologies, tools and measurement approaches. 

• Identify where AI and automation can improve the quality, speed and scalability of our work. 

Lead exceptional client work 

• Serve as the senior SEO strategic leader across priority clients and major transformation programs. 

• Bring clear, compelling perspectives to executive conversations, business reviews, pitches and strategic recommendations. 

• Translate complex search, technical and consumer signals into meaningful business implications. 

• Ensure our work consistently meets a high standard across strategy, insight and execution. 

Build a world-class SEO team 

• Lead and inspire a high-performing SEO organization with a culture of excellence, curiosity and accountability. 

• Develop senior leaders and create clear pathways for emerging talent. 

• Ensure our teams are building the capabilities needed for the next generation of search. 

• Maintain strong standards across quality, client health, operations and delivery. 

Drive growth and influence 

• Partner with Client Leadership and Growth teams to expand SEO relationships and unlock broader Total Search opportunities. 

• Play a leading role in major pitches and senior client engagements. 

• Develop compelling narratives that demonstrate the business value of SEO. 

• Build strong relationships with platforms, technology partners and industry leaders to keep iProspect at the forefront of change. 

Qualifications 

• 12+ years of experience in SEO, organic search or closely related digital disciplines, including experience with complex enterprise brands. 

• 5+ years of senior leadership experience managing teams, leaders and major client relationships. 

• Deep expertise across technical SEO, content strategy, analytics and search performance. 

• Strong understanding of how AI-powered search, LLMs and changing discovery behaviors are reshaping SEO. 

• Strong understanding of Paid Search and experience connecting paid and organic search strategy. 

• Experience leading major website migrations, redesigns or technically complex SEO programs. 

• Strong understanding of modern website technologies, enterprise platforms and SEO tools. 

• Ability to connect search performance to meaningful business outcomes. 

• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills. 

• Proven ability to develop high-performing teams and future leaders. 

• Strong commercial instincts with experience supporting pitches, growth and senior client relationships. 

• Ability to set a vision and translate it into clear priorities, programs and measurable outcomes. 

Working at dentsu 

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office. 

The annual salary range for this position is $160K–$210K. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. 

Benefits available with this position include medical, vision and dental insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 401(k), flexible paid time off, at least 15 paid holidays per year, paid sick and safe leave, and paid parental leave. 

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to, providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com. 

To begin the application process, please click on the “Apply” button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps. 

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