Manager, Local SEO

Overview

Rise Interactive, a Quad Company, is an award-winning, full-service digital agency that helps marketers leverage data to make smarter marketing decisions.  We create digital experiences highlighting the unique value propositions of brands today.  By specializing in digital media, customer experience, and analytics - empowered by people and technology - Rise is ready to move your business forward, faster.  

Rise uses a proprietary approach to multi-channel digital marketing and is the only performance marketing agency fueled by Connex, a cross-channel and real-time insights and media optimization platform that enables our analytical marketers to invest each dollar where it will drive the greatest return.  

Rise is a wholly owned subsidiary of  Quad, a global Marketing Experience company, to redefine the future of integrated marketing, together.  With extensive experience helping many of the world’s largest brands, Rise and Quad understand the challenges marketers face to reduce complexity and increase efficiency with their marketing spend. 

Summary and Scope

The Manager, Local SEO in our Chicago office will be responsible for managing a team of up to 4 people owning multiple clients (typically 3-5). Clients may be larger accounts composed of multiple business units and stakeholders or numerous smaller accounts covering a diverse set of clients and goals. As part of this role, the Manager, Local SEO will represent the final owner for all SEO channel strategy and client performance within their respective portfolios.  This role is based in our global headquarters in the Chicago Loop.  

A strong candidate will be able to translate SEO objectives into business outcomes and confidently relay these results to C-Suite and senior management. 

Responsibilities

• Craft comprehensive client SEO strategies ensuring alignment with their overarching goals, considering cross-channel dynamics.
• Lead the seamless execution of client SEO strategic roadmaps, balancing time, team capabilities, and agile client feedback.
• Pioneer the evolution of Rise’s SEO Core Strategy
• Assist in the expansion of Rise’s SEO Core Strategy and owning process improvements to your assigned SEO sub-focus
• Oversee project scopes, ensuring efficient resource allocation across the team.
• Deftly delegate tasks, while skillfully navigating any expertise or efficiency gaps.
• Guide clients through the dynamic search terrain, explaining the influence of generative AI on client outcomes.
• Help clients navigate the ever-changing search landscape with knowledge of how generative AI is impacting client performance
• Uphold an outstanding client retention track record.
• Champion direct reports, guiding them towards achieving client-centric business goals.
• Facilitate growth discussions with direct reports, nurturing their professional trajectory and well-being at Rise.
• Provide both foundational and advanced SEO training to new team members.
• Innovate, refine processes, and manage tactics to minimize potential risks within teams.
• Engage proactively with the Account Team and clients, driving organic traffic and conversion targets.
• Continuously learn about the interactions of various digital marketing channels with SEO, ensuring ongoing personal and team development

Required Skills: 

SEO Manager

• Minimum of 3+ years in SEO, with PPC expertise as an added advantage.
• Mastery over SEO tactics/strategies including: keyword research, landing page optimization, product categorization, navigation strategies, both internal and external link analyses, technical SEO, and Local SEO.
• Proficiency in tools like Screaming Frog, Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz, etc.
• Experience building and pitching a budget for desired tools.
• Foundational knowledge in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Proven track record of effectively managing large-scale SEO strategies while adhering to client objectives.
• An expert at delivering the client narrative and highly confident in speaking to the client directly
• A data-driven approach, adept at merging insights from diverse SEO research tools to craft compelling solutions for clients.
• Demonstrated experience in team management and expansion.
• Proficient in Excel with strong presentation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proven capability in crafting pitch decks and presenting both current and prospective business enhancement opportunities.

Local Focus (3+ years of experience required)

A proven track record of tying SEO strategies to local traffic and conversion growth.Optimize and manage Google My Business listings, including accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) details, selecting appropriate business categories, managing reviews, and uploading relevant photos.

• Expertise in building and managing local citations across directories and ensuring consistent NAP information
• Understanding the significance of reviews in local search rankings and conversions. Being proactive in generating, responding to, and managing reviews across platforms like Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.
• Experience developing a local link building strategy, executing, and reporting on impact
• Creating local content calendars that consider specific offerings, events, and culture
• Crafting local keyword research using Semrush, Ahrefs, or other applicable SEO tools
• Implementing structured data markup relevant to local businesses
• Experience optimizing for Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, etc. and a proven track record of impact
• Strong reporting skills and the ability to understand the relationship between clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position in GSC and what behaviors that indicates in SERPs