Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Manager

About Ovative Group:

Ovative Group is an independent, full-funnel media, measurement, and creative firm transforming how brands grow. We partner with leading names like American Eagle, Best Buy, Domino’s, The Home Depot, Polaris, and UnitedHealth Group to build smarter media and measurement programs that drive real, profitable growth.

We don’t just track performance-we redefine it. Powered by our proprietary intelligence platform, EMRge, and our holistic metric Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR), we help brands connect revenue, customer, and brand outcomes into one clear picture of success. Our approach to full-funnel strategy, buying, and measurement delivers results that matter-and it’s getting noticed. Our work has been recognized by Digiday, Google, USA Today, Inc. 5000, and Search Engine Land.

Responsibilities of a SEO Manager:

Performance-driven SEO program management & execution:

• Possess deep, results-oriented SEO and AI subject matter expertise with a proven track record of driving organic performance in enterprise settings

• Demonstrated understanding of how large language models (e.g., AI assistants and conversational search tools) discover, evaluate, and extract information from websites.

• Be familiar with technical and content-related factors that influence visibility in large language models, including crawl access, site architecture, structured data, content clarity, and authority signals.

• Consistently develop high-impact SEO strategies to grow our client’s organic search performance

• Lead day-to-day management of client SEO programs across an enterprise client portfolio including:
  • Client program strategy development and roadmap management
  • Technical auditing and optimizations on large sites (>100k pages)
  • On-page optimization activities, such as keyword research, metadata development, internal linking, and more
  • Content strategy development and execution, such as content auditing, gap analysis, strategy execution, and more
  • Local program optimization of site, partners, and tools such as Yext and Google Business Profile
  • Automating reporting views within analytics platforms to scalably identify key drivers of performance through impactful weekly & monthly insights
  • Off-page optimization activities, such as link building, link reclamation, and outreach
• Ability to work closely with client-side implementation teams (development, product/UX, content, etc) to define requirements and brainstorm solutions to a variety of SEO recommendations

• Be effective in driving change - navigate ambiguity and large organizations with ease to maximize the impact of our work

• Regular analysis and effective communication of program performance at granular levels to audiences ranging from day-to-day stakeholders up to C-suite

Client relationship management:

• Own, manage, and grow the overall relationship of some of Ovative Group’s largest clients

• Lead day-to-day management of client organic search programs including:
  • Clearly defining program objectives, tactics, and KPIs
  • Developing and delivering client communication
  • Owning project management, communicating status / progress against open initiatives
  • Translate evolving AI search behaviors into actionable guidance, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes for stakeholders
• Effectively manage client relationship and establish trust and credibility

• Effectively influence client stakeholders to evolve strategies and measurement approach to drive enterprise impact

• Deliver Ovative’s unique client experience by making their Ovative interactions the best part of their day

Team leadership and employee development:

• Lead, manage, and grow an exceptional team of high-performing direct reports
  • Provide meaningful, impactful feedback proactively to direct and indirect reports
  • Review deliverables, align on strategies, be a thought partner, and remove roadblocks
  • Conduct regular development check-ins to ensure goals are on-track, including quarterly 360-degree feedback sessions
• Manage, train, and support recruitment efforts of new Ovative team members

• Foster a culture of open communication and 360-degree feedback

• Inspire your team and direct reports to reach their quarterly, annual, and long-term goals

Requirements of a SEO Manager

• 5+ years of experience directly responsible for enterprise-level SEO programs

• Proven track record of success driving strong positive results through SEO programs

• Proven excellence in the following:
  • Performance-based, direct-response SEO strategies
  • All analytics tools (Adobe analytics, Google Analytics 4 / Google Search Console, server log analysis, etc)
  • Visibility monitoring tools (STAT, Conductor/Brightedge, etc), Auditing tools (DeepCrawl, Screaming Frog, Botify, etc), Keyword research tools (Adwords, Ahrefs, SEMRush, etc, and other analysis tools
  • Deep understanding of critical crawling/indexing/rendering factors
  • Understanding of schema.org structured markup, page speed optimizations, and other scalable technical tactics
  • Local search optimization platforms (Yext, Rio, etc)
  • Experience optimizing websites to be eligible, accessible, and trusted sources for AI-generated answers, summaries, and recommendations.
  • Writing/reading code (HTML, JS, etc) a strong plus
• Previous experience in enterprise SEO programs, performance marketing, retail, eCommerce, etc. preferred

• Minimum 1 year of experience managing direct reports

• Understanding of paid search platforms, strategies, and tactics a plus

Pay Transparency:

At Ovative, we offer a transparent view into three core components of the total compensation package: Base Salary, Annual Bonus, and Benefits.

For our Manager positions, including the position of SEO Manager, our compensation range is from $90,000 to $132,000 on an annualized basis, which is inclusive of an annual bonus opportunity of 20% of base salary.

Working at Ovative Group:

We provide strong, competitive, holistic benefits that understand the importance of your life inside and out of work.

At Ovative, culture isn’t a buzzword-it’s the reason we’ve been named a Top Workplace for ten years running. We lead with trust, transparency, and a commitment to doing the hard work others avoid.

We offer flexibility. You'll work from our Minneapolis, Chicago, or New York office on set days each week, and an option to work remote on others.

Our open floor plan reflects our open communication and flat structure-where interns collaborate with VPs, analysts partner with senior leaders, and our CEO engages with every team member. Together, we create an environment where smart, driven people can do their best work and support one another in the process.

We’re equally committed to inclusion and belonging. Ovative fosters a workplace where everyone can participate and thrive-regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or other protected class status. Our benefits and policies reflect that commitment, from inclusive medical leave coverage for same-sex spouses to equitable care and support for all families.

Benefits:

We strive to hire and retain the best talent by offering fair, competitive compensation, a meaningful bonus program, and excellent health coverage. When the company performs well, we all benefit.

Some tangible benefits and amenities we enjoy:

• Access to all office spaces in MSP, NYC, and CHI

• Frequent, paid travel to our Minneapolis headquarters for company events, team events, and in-person collaboration with teams

• Generous paid vacation policy

• 401k match program

• Top-notch health insurance options, inclusive of same sex partners

• Family formation benefits including reimbursement options for fertility, pregnancy, and parenting needs

• Monthly stipend for your mobile phone and data plan

• Sabbatical program

• Charitable giving via our time and a financial match program

• Shenanigan’s Day

Additional information can be found at Ovative's Career Page.

The details of the benefits are covered by applicable plan documents for group benefits and by company policies where a plan document does not apply.

Working at Ovative won’t be easy-but if you like challenging, hard work, driving results, and being surrounded by the best talent, it has the potential to be the most rewarding job you’ll ever have. If you think you can make us better, we want to hear from you!

EEO & Accessibility:

Ovative is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a respectful, inclusive workplace for all. Applicants receive consideration without regard to legally protected characteristics (e.g., color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity/, gender expression, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, marital/ status, familial status, military or veteran’s status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, and any other status protected under applicable law).

We provide reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law to qualified applicants and employees with disability, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

If you need assistance or accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected].

Application Details and Process:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer on a full-time basis, without current or future need for visa sponsorship. Ovative is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification documentation upon hire.

Open Until Filled or Otherwise Withdrawn:

We encourage interested candidates to apply early. The position will remain open for at least 10 business days from the first day of posting. After this time, if the position has not been filled, the posting will remain open until the position is filled, or until the posting is otherwise closed or withdrawn for business reasons.