Senior Vice President, GEO and Emerging Search

Description

Position at CMI Media Group

Are you a visionary architect of the digital future?

CMI Media Group, an award-winning leader in healthcare media, is seeking a dynamic and influential SVP, GEO & Emerging Search to not just manage, but to define the next era of search. This isn't just a role; it's an unparalleled opportunity to shape an industry.

As a pivotal member of our leadership team, you will ignite and drive the exponential growth of CMI Media Group's already best-in-class Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) practices. Your mission? To perpetually expand our cutting-edge offerings, anticipating and dominating the evolving landscape of search and AI within the high-stakes healthcare sector. We need a strategic leader who lives and breathes innovation, capable of not just forecasting the future of search, but actively articulating and building that future for our agency and our clients.

This role is your platform to become an industry luminary. You will set the strategic vision for both our agency and the broader industry, positioning CMI Media Group as the undisputed leader in emerging search. This means regular, high-profile speaking engagements with key clients and prospects, and active, influential participation at major industry conferences, solidifying our reputation as true pioneers.

You'll lead a department of dedicated experts, empowering them to craft groundbreaking owned and organic search strategies. We're seeking a fully stacked search guru with a passion for every nuance of the discipline. Your expertise will span the entire technical and strategic spectrum:

• Deep dives: HTML tags, Schema, robust link profiles
• Strategic orchestration: Content promotion, site architecture, taxonomy
• Search engine wizardry: Influencing query results across Google, Bing, and the cutting edge of AI-driven search.

Your leadership will translate directly into client success. You'll orchestrate the development of powerful plans that don't just meet, but exceed our clients' brand and marketing objectives, overseeing flawless implementation and rigorous performance analysis to ensure measurable, undeniable impact.

As a core leader, you will be a key player in forging powerful external relationships with critical clients, innovative vendors, major search engines, and strategic agency partners. Internally, you will cultivate vital connections across all levels, ensuring seamless collaboration. Your deep expertise in the hands-on execution and insightful evaluation of SEO and GEO strategies will be the bedrock of these relationships and our collective success.

Primary Accountabilities

Strategic Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Mastermind Strategy: Oversee the comprehensive development, continuous evolution, and agile management of all SEO, GEO, and emerging search strategies across the agency, pioneering innovative processes that future-proof our capabilities and client success.
• Drive GEO & AI Leadership: Propel CMI's leadership in the rapidly evolving landscape of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI-driven search, proactively identifying and capitalizing on opportunities that redefine organic discoverability.
• Publish & Present: Spearhead the conceptualization, authorship, and dissemination of compelling POVs, case studies, and industry insights in SEO and GEO. Represent the organization as a distinguished speaker at high-profile public forums, conferences, and industry events.
• Define Success Metrics: Establish and own the advanced measurement frameworks that rigorously evaluate and demonstrate the ROI of GEO and other innovative strategies in the emerging search landscape.
• Award-Winning Collaboration: Collaborate strategically with fellow Department Leads to identify and champion collective achievements, spearheading submissions for prestigious industry awards.

Client & Business Growth

• Healthcare Industry Authority: Take the lead in establishing CMI's Media Group’s authority in healthcare-specific GEO and SEO, setting the benchmark for excellence and strategic innovation within this specialized vertical.
• Pioneer Healthcare "Firsts": Launch groundbreaking "firsts" in healthcare SEO, particularly leveraging cutting-edge AI opportunities. Lead comprehensive internal and external educational initiatives on critical algorithm shifts.
• Client Relationship Management: Act as a trusted senior advisor and strategic partner for key client relationships (existing and prospective), leveraging thought leadership to deepen partnerships and expand business opportunities.
• Cross-Channel Synergies: Foster dynamic cross-channel collaboration with leads across Programmatic, SEM, and Social, effectively showcasing and amplifying the indispensable value of SEO and GEO within a holistic media ecosystem.

Operational & Financial Excellence

• Department P&L Ownership: Assume full ownership of the department’s financial performance, strategically managing to ensure optimal profitability, sustainable growth, staffing, and client hour allocations.
• Resource Allocation: Collaborate seamlessly with direct reports and the Client Finance team to ensure optimal resource allocation, strategic workforce planning, precise scoping projections, and staffing alignment.
• Vendor & Tooling Ecosystem: Cultivate high-value partnerships with industry-leading technology partners and vendors, meticulously evaluating and integrating platforms and tools that confer a competitive advantage.

Leading Our People & Strategic Talent Development

• Foster Innovation Culture: Integrate with CMI's diverse teams to deliver collaborative, groundbreaking results. Inspire and guide the team with a visionary, content-first mindset.
• Direct Mentorship: Build, nurture, and inspire a strong, cohesive team of industry-leading experts. Provide strategic mentorship to senior direct reports, honing their leadership acumen and business intelligence.
• Talent Pipeline: Meticulously interview, hire, and foster/manage the development of high-caliber, forward-thinking SEO and GEO talent.
• L&D Partnerships: Spearhead the development and coordination of cutting-edge training programs and materials in collaboration with our Learning & Development team.
• Performance & Compensation: Design and implement comprehensive annual development plans. Oversee and strategically approve all staff compensation and promotion decisions in alignment with agency financial guidelines.

Education, Experience & Specialized Training

• Foundation of Excellence: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Marketing, Business, or a related quantitative/analytical field.
• Decades of Dominance: A minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience expertly managing and scaling complex SEO campaigns, with a consistent track record of transformative results.
• Proven Leadership Architect: At least 7+ years of dedicated team management experience, with demonstrated success building and scaling high-performing teams across all levels.
• Unrivaled SEO Mastery: Profound, hands-on expertise across the entire SEO spectrum, from flawless technical execution (HTML, Schema, site architecture) and strategic content creation to performance management.
• Platform & Tool Navigator: Expert-level command of leading SEO management platforms (e.g., BrightEdge, Conductor, SEMRush, Moz) and analytical tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
• AI Visionary & Tech Pioneer: Deep understanding of Artificial Intelligence's transformative impact on search, with a track record of adopting nascent technologies and launching novel service offerings.
• Data & Analytical Fluency: Advanced proficiency in Excel (including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs) and outstanding analytical problem-solving skills to translate complex data into actionable strategies.
• Compelling Communication: Exemplary written, verbal, and public speaking skills, capable of articulating complex strategies with clarity and persuasive impact.
• Healthcare Edge (Preferred): A distinct advantage if you possess a background or deep familiarity with the dynamic healthcare/pharmaceutical sector.

Are you ready to build the future of search with us?

Apply today to join CMI Media Group as our SVP, GEO & Emerging Search Department Lead and make your mark on the future of healthcare media.

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $140,000 to $295,000. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, please visit WPP Benefits