Search Engine Optimization Manager

(Hybrid | Chicagoland candidates only) Marcel Digital is an award-winning digital marketing and software development agency established in 2003. Based in Chicago, we partner with mid-market B2B organizations to drive measurable business outcomes through SEO/AEO, paid media, web development, and analytics. We’ve built a culture of high performers who value authenticity, integrity, accountability, and insight. We invest heavily in learning, collaboration, and craftsmanship, supporting our team with conference attendance, internal training, and daily knowledge sharing. Position Summary As an SEO/AEO Manager at Marcel Digital, you’ll play a critical role in generating qualified leads and driving revenue for B2B clients through organic search strategies. Your work will go far beyond rankings and traffic, you’ll build and execute strategies that map directly to bottom-line business outcomes. This role calls for a blend of strategic acumen as well as technical implementation including technical SEO expertise and content development. You'll analyze complex organic search environments, identify growth opportunities across the funnel, and implement tailored SEO strategies that align with each client's broader marketing and sales goals. As part of our integrated team, you’ll collaborate across paid media, analytics, and development to deliver unified, revenue-driving solutions. Reports to: Director of SEO The expected salary range for this position is $65,000 to $90,000 per year. Role Description Performance & Strategy Own organic performance with a revenue growth mindset. You’ll drive SEO and AEO strategies designed to improve visibility, capture demand, and convert high-intent traffic into leads. Every recommendation you make, from keyword targeting to technical optimizations, will be rooted in business value and geared toward growth. Strategic Client Partnership Be a strategic thought partner to our clients. You’ll participate in client conversations as an expert and advisor, uncovering the “why” behind the “what,” aligning search strategies with business objectives, and evolving tactics based on performance and changing market dynamics. Technical & Content Execution Deliver full-spectrum SEO solutions. From deep technical audits to content gap analyses and on-page optimization, your work will be both precise and strategic. You’ll blend modern tools, AI enhancements, and manual expertise to create smart, scalable outcomes. Client Engagement & Storytelling Make SEO results meaningful. You’ll compile insights and reports that not only inform but inspire action, connecting SEO performance directly to pipeline growth, sales conversations, and strategic goals. Innovation & Thought Leadership Lead with curiosity and courage. You’ll help push SEO and AEO forward, both for our clients and for the agency. From experimenting with AI to staying ahead of SERP shifts, you’ll keep your finger on the pulse of what’s next and make sure our strategies evolve ahead of the curve. Prioritization Effectively manage multiple client engagements with competing priorities and timelines. You’ll evaluate opportunities based on business impact, align efforts to what will drive the greatest return, and clearly communicate tradeoffs both internally and with clients. Your ability to prioritize strategically will ensure consistent progress across accounts without sacrificing quality or performance. At Marcel we work in teams. Each account will have multiple team members helping drive success. Some may act as thought partners and some will be asked to delegate work to. A strong candidate will be able to know how to leverage all of their team in order to get results. Qualifications & Ideal Fit 2-4 years of experience in SEO, ideally within a B2B agency or demand‑gen environment. 1-3 years of AEO experience. Proven ability to connect SEO performance with lead gen and revenue outcomes. Deep knowledge of technical SEO, on/off-page factors, and modern search ecosystems. Proficiency in tools such as Google Search Console, GA4, Screaming Frog, Semrush, Ahrefs, Google Business, Looker Studio, etc. Comfort navigating CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce is a plus. Experience using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) to support content creation and workflow acceleration. Strong strategic thinking and storytelling ability - you know how to frame SEO success in the language of business. Independent, self‑motivated, and comfortable managing multiple projects across industries. Experience working on a team for both thought partnership and delegation. Benefits In exchange for your contributions, Marcel offers a competitive salary, great benefits, and a casual, laid back and fun work environment. But more than that, you get the autonomy to work independently and solve the problems that get in your way. You get a voice in the development process and an environment that encourages you to master the latest trends. #J-18808-Ljbffr Marcel Digital