Director, SEO

Blavity, Inc. is a venture-funded technology and news media company, founded in 2014 around a simple idea: enable Black millennials to tell their own stories. Today, we are home to the largest network of platforms and lifestyle brands serving the multifaceted lives of Black millennials & Gen Z through original content, video, and unique experiences. The company has grown into a market leader for Black media, reaching over 80 million users per month through our growing brand portfolio, including Blavity News, Blavity Politics, 21Ninety, AfroTech, Travel Noire, and Shadow & Act. Assembled of passionate, high-energy, and focused rock-stars, our Blavity, Inc. Team executes our values at the forefront of mind: Love of Community, Transparency and Communication, Collective Responsibility, and Fail Fast. Blavity, Inc. is continuously looking for new team members to help us continue to scale, cultivate our community, and advance our strategic direction.

Job Summary: 

Blavity Inc. is looking for a full-time Director, SEO.  As the leader of this critical new department, you will oversee all SEO strategy, best practices, and projects focused on search traffic growth (content and product) for Blavity Inc. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of management experience in SEO content that has delivered both high quality content and significant revenue.

This role will report directly to the VP, Content Operations & Growth. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead SEO content strategy and roadmap, including, but not limited to, monitoring and improving keyword rankings, organic traffic, conversion rate optimization, pageviews and impressions and content marketing
• Partner with content leaders, product and marketing teams to build an integrated SEO content program that drives prospects to relevant content and into efficient decision journeys
• Evaluate third-party enterprise SEO tools, engage vendors and create operations procedures in-house.
• Maintain deep understanding of metrics, reporting and levers for growth and clearly articulate strategic approach, opportunities, and risks
• Develop and execute by SEO roadmap and testing plans; drive program optimization through strategic use of data, rigorous testing, and strong reporting
• Oversee SEO Manager, freelance and agency team to rapidly increase content production 
• Synthesize data to make informed decisions, specifically in relation to key commerce KPIs with view on revenue growth, pageviews, and impressions
• Project manage SEO efforts around major ecommerce tentpole events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc
• Hit monthly publication and traffic goals as it pertains to SEO and improving SERP rankings, with the goal of at least 50-60% of all Blavity O&O traffic coming from search
• Serve as a leader and subject matter expert on technical and content SEO to help define strategy and implement best practices.
• Create and maintain robust documentation around Blavity Inc.’s SEO strategy and best practices
• Keep up with the latest trends in search engine optimization and Google algorithm changes
• Improve search traffic and rankings on evergreen content and content that falls under seasonal tentpoles, tracked by sessions coming from search to new and existing content, as well as measure changes in search ranking for updated content

Qualifications: 

• Education: BA/BS in Marketing or a related field preferred. 
• Required Experience: 
  • 2-4 years of Marketing or Communications experience with a focus on writing
  • A proven track record with 5 years of driving dramatic, sustained, organic traffic growth in competitive environments
  • People management experience
  • Deep knowledge of Search Engine algorithms, technical and content SEO skills with the ability to evaluate HTML, CSS and Javascript for SEO purposes.
  • Experience with SEO tools, specifically Ahrefs, SEMRush, Google Search Console, and Google Analytics (or equivalent)
• Technologies: Fluent in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Asana, and/or comparable project management suite
• Additional Qualifications:
  • Hypothesis and data-driven mindset
  • A strong collaborator with stellar communication skills (oral, written, and listening)
  • Ability to present on SEO tactics with gravitas and clarity to Blavity Inc. team and central stakeholders
  • Passion for understanding customers, their problems and experiences.
  • An excellent teammate, takes ownership of their work, and contributes to the achievements of the team.
  • A healthy appreciation of GIFs and Black culture

Details: This is a fully remote role, occasional travel may be required. Candidates must be available to work at least 50% in alignment with the Pacific Time Zone. 

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter online at BlavityInc.com/Careers.

Blavity is committed to creating a diverse environment free of discrimination and harassment, and building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.  Blavity is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, HIV Status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.