Search Optimization Specialist
12 hours ago
Chicago
Count on us. Our "we-care" culture is more than just a motto; it's a promise. From day one, we prioritize your growth, well-being, and success. You can count on us to support your career journey and help you achieve your professional goals. Join us. The Search Optimization Strategist is responsible for leading the firm's approach to search visibility across traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered discovery platforms. This role owns strategy and execution across Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to ensure Plante Moran content is discoverable, trusted, and cited wherever prospects seek answers. This role works cross-functionally with content, digital marketing, subject matter experts, and web teams to influence how the firm appears in organic search results, featured answers, and AI-generated responses. The Search Optimization Strategist reports to the Senior Digital Marketing Manager. The role includes: • Leading and implementing firm-wide search optimization strategy across SEO, AEO, and GEO to increase organic visibility, authority, and share of voice, • Partnering with content, digital marketing, and subject matter experts to shape search-first content strategies aligned to business goals and audience intent, • Conducting keyword, query, and topic research to inform traditional search optimization as well as AI- and answer-based discovery, • Optimizing web and digital content for on-page SEO (titles, metadata, structure, schema); providing guidance for off-page optimization including backlinks, PR alignment, and authority signals, • Ensuring content is structured and written to perform well in featured snippets, voice search, and AI-generated answers (e.g., clear answers, structured formats, citation-ready content), • Monitoring and analyzing performance across rankings, visibility, featured results, and AI citations; socializing insights and opportunities with marketing stakeholders, • Using and helping evolve search tooling and measurement approaches (e.g., enterprise SEO platforms, analytics, emerging AI visibility tools), • Establishing and reinforcing search optimization best practices across teams through documentation, collaboration, and education, • Collaborating with subject matter experts and content team to guide development of staff-authored content, including interview-led content and thought leadership, • Making recommendations for improving site structure, content governance, and SEO fundamentals in partnership with web and UX teams, • Contributing to and advancing content governance standards, workflows, and optimization processes, • Supporting integrated marketing campaigns by ensuring search optimization is embedded from planning through execution The qualifications include: • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, or related field; or equivalent education, training, or experience, • 35 years of experience in SEO, content strategy, digital marketing, or search-focused roles (B2B experience preferred), • Hands-on experience with enterprise SEO tools (e.g., Conductor, SEMrush, Moz, or similar), • Strong understanding of modern SEO fundamentals, including technical SEO, on-page optimization, and authority signals, • Working knowledge of AEO concepts (featured snippets, voice search, question-based optimization) and GEO concepts (AI-generated answers, citations, entity authority), or demonstrated ability to learn and apply emerging search practices, • Ability to translate search data and insights into clear, actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders, • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong critical thinking and attention to detail, • Strong presentation skills and comfort communicating with senior and cross-functional stakeholders, • Understanding of the buyer's journey and how search behavior maps to content and conversion, • Collaborative, proactive, and consultative approach to working with colleagues across the firm, • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Workfront or similar) What makes us different? On the surface, we're one of the nation's largest audit, tax, consulting, and wealth management firms. But dig a little deeper, and you'll see what makes us different: we're a relatively jerk-free firm (hey, nobody 's perfect) with a world-class culture, consistent recognition as one of Fortune Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For," and an endless array of opportunities.??At Plante Moran, diversity, equity and inclusion means that all staff members have equitable and fair opportunities to succeed, in an inclusive environment, with their individual, unique identities. So,?what are you waiting for? Apply now. Plante Moran enjoys a "Workplace for Your Day" model which, simply put, means we strive for flexibility and balance while staying true to our principally in-person model. We believe that face-to-face interactions are paramount for individual and collective development, but also encourage individuals to work with their supervisor and team to determine their optimal working environment each day. Plante Moran is committed to a diverse workplace. We strive to create a culture where each person feels accepted and valued. We believe that each person's ultimate potential begins with first acknowledging their inherent dignity. When we can recognize and celebrate our many human differences, we're able to create a workplace where all staff feel a sense of belonging and an opportunity to succeed. This allows us to attract and retain the best talent, serve clients through diverse thinking, and better represent and support the various communities in which we live and work. Plante Moran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Plante Moran maintains a drug-free workplace. Interested applicants must submit their resume for consideration using our applicant tracking system. Due to the high volume of interest in our positions, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, with the exception of qualified candidates who are bilingual in either Japanese and English or Chinese and English. Unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies, or similar, will not be paid a fee and become the property of Plante Moran. The specific statements above are not intended to be all-inclusive. We are pleased to offer eligible staff a robust benefits package. Eligibility and contribution requirements for some of these benefits vary based on the number of hours staff work per week. Highlights include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. In addition to this, eligible staff are able to take advantage of our Flexible Time Off and various pre-determined holidays, as well as a 401(k) plan, flexible benefits plans, business-related travel expense, lodging, and meal reimbursement for business-related use. A pension plan is also available for eligible administrative and paraprofessional staff. A discretionary bonus plan is available for eligible staff. Plante Moran also offers some contingent staff positions the option to elect health insurance in addition to limited paid sick time. The compensation range reflects the base salary we reasonably expect to pay for this position across our offices in the following regions: CO, IL, OH, and MA. Please review the position description for the applicable geographic location. Generally, experienced hires are not hired at or near the maximum salary range, as compensation decisions take into account a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to: responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography. For early career roles, including campus hires, we offer standardized, market-based starting salaries among individuals within the same hiring group. This approach ensures fairness and reflects current industry benchmarks for entry-level talent. Under Colorado's Job Application Fairness Act, you have the right to redact, from any documents that you submit in connection with your application, information that identifies your age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. Should you wish to exercise your right to redact such information, please redact it prior to submitting documentation. The compensation range for this role in CO, IL, OH, and MA is: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00 This application window is a good-faith estimate of the time that this posting will remain open. This deadline will be promptly updated if the deadline is extended.
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