SEO/SEM Director Jobs

SEO/SEM Directors lead the strategies that help organizations increase visibility, attract qualified audiences, and grow through search. These senior digital marketing professionals guide organic search engine optimization (SEO) and paid search engine marketing (SEM), combining strategic planning, analytics, and team leadership to deliver measurable results. Explore vetted SEO/SEM Director opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.

What Does an SEO/SEM Director Do?

SEO/SEM Directors set search marketing priorities and oversee programs across channels, teams, and technology platforms. Depending on the organization, the role may include managing SEO, paid search, or both. Directors translate business goals into search strategies, allocate budgets, monitor performance, and communicate results to executives and cross-functional partners.

Common Responsibilities

  • Develop and oversee integrated SEO and SEM strategies tied to business growth.
  • Lead keyword research, technical SEO, content optimization, and paid search campaigns.
  • Manage search budgets, bidding strategies, agencies, and marketing technology.
  • Measure performance using analytics, attribution, and reporting tools.
  • Partner with content, product, engineering, analytics, and brand teams.
  • Hire, coach, and develop search marketing teams while presenting insights to leadership.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers often seek substantial experience in digital marketing and a track record of improving search visibility, traffic quality, and conversions. Valuable capabilities include technical and on-page SEO, paid search management, data analysis, forecasting, budget ownership, experimentation, and executive communication. Familiarity with platforms such as Google Ads, Google Analytics, and SEO research tools can also be important. Requirements vary by company and industry.

SEO/SEM Director Salary and Career Outlook

Compensation depends on factors such as company size, location, industry, scope of responsibility, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities that pay $100,000 or more, including senior search marketing leadership roles. Directors may advance to vice president of digital marketing, head of growth, or broader marketing leadership positions.

Find SEO/SEM Director Jobs on Ladders

Search Ladders for SEO/SEM Director openings and related senior search marketing roles. Compare opportunities by location, industry, and responsibilities, then use your experience in search strategy, analytics, and team leadership to identify roles that match your career goals.

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1
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$110K - $130K *

Transform search visibility and traffic by leading SEO initiatives across diverse domains. Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize content, diagnose technical issues, and leverage data for impactfu...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$115K - $130K *

Lead the charge in optimizing search channels for diverse clients, managing a global team while driving SEO, PPC, GEO, and AIO strategies. Ensure performance efficiency and deliver insightful reportin...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$77K - $89K *

Drive innovative SEO and GEO strategies, collaborating with teams to enhance client visibility through technical audits, content optimization, and performance analysis. Leverage deep expertise to deli...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$100K - $120K *

Drive impactful SEO strategies for B2B SaaS clients, leading strategic conversations and translating complex insights into actionable business recommendations. Join a high-performing team dedicated to...

Toronto, ONRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance website performance and user experience through innovative SEO strategies, technical audits, and content optimization, driving organic visibility and business results on...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $130K *

Champion web performance through hands-on management, optimizing egnyte.com. Lead cross-functional projects and collaboration, turning business needs into high-impact web solutions using analytics and...

Mountain View, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$124K - $271K *

Lead the charge in shaping technical SEO strategies across diverse platforms to enhance organic visibility. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement scalable solutions and ensure optimal s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovative SEO strategies by analyzing search behavior and performance. Collaborate with varied teams on implementation plans, conduct audits, and use insights to enhance client visibility acros...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$75K - $90K *

Transform your career by leading strategic SEM campaigns that enhance online visibility and drive conversions. Collaborate with innovative clients, analyze data, and optimize performance to exceed goa...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $152K *

Drive your career forward by owning SEO and AEO strategies that enhance visibility and engagement across organic channels. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize content and technical per...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$108K - $123K *

Shape the future of our SEO and AEO strategy by driving organic growth through innovative content mapping and AI-informed tactics. Collaborate across teams to enhance discoverability and ensure measur...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $140K *

Drive impactful paid search strategies for higher education clients, balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution. Lead performance optimization and client engagement to achieve measurable busin...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by leading SEO and AEO strategies to enhance website visibility and conversion. This hands-on role combines technical expertise, analytics, and collaboration with cross-functional tea...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$105K - $118K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team in paid search advertising, driving client success through innovative strategies and performance optimization while fostering professional growth and collabo...

Chicago, ILRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$105K - $118K *

Drive success by leading a dynamic team in paid search advertising, optimizing client strategies, and enhancing performance metrics. Foster talent development while managing key client relationships t...

Chicago, ILRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$69K - $102K *

Oversee the SEO team, guiding strategy, managing personnel, and ensuring quality control while enhancing client communication and driving departmental initiatives for optimal performance and growth...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $95K *

Transform search strategies by leading SEO initiatives that drive organic growth and enhance brand visibility across diverse channels and emerging platforms, while collaborating with cross-functional...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$100K - $120K *

Provide strategic leadership and execution in paid search, managing a portfolio while aligning with client goals. Drive optimization and performance enhancements across various platforms, ensuring eff...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$84K - $121K *

Take ownership of our technical SEO program, ensuring optimal site health and structure. Lead audits, implement AI-driven workflows, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance web performa...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Elevate your career by leading conversion optimization strategies for DTC brands. Utilize data analytics and behavioral science to drive revenue through testing, insights, and AI-driven personalizatio...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$72K - $90K *

Lead the charge in driving organic visibility through innovative SEO and GEO strategies. Collaborate with partners to optimize both traditional search and AI answer surfaces, enhancing content retriev...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Lead client relationships and drive strategic growth while ensuring high-quality delivery. Collaborate across teams to align marketing efforts with client objectives and mentor account strategists for...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$105K - $118K *

Optimize client performance by leading a dynamic Paid Search team, driving strategy and execution for major accounts while fostering talent development and achieving KPI improvements in a fast-paced d...

Ohio, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$105K - $118K *

Lead the charge in optimizing paid search strategies while managing a talented team. Drive client performance and revenue growth through innovative digital marketing solutions, ensuring professional d...

Ohio, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$75K - $90K *

Drive exceptional client outcomes by managing complex, cross-functional projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure clarity, timely execution, and risk management, transforming strategy into ac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is an SEO/SEM Director?question toggle

    An SEO/SEM Director is a senior marketing leader who oversees organic search optimization, paid search engine marketing, or both. The role connects search strategy and execution to broader business goals.

  • What does an SEO/SEM Director do day to day?question toggle

    Responsibilities may include setting search strategy, managing SEO and paid search programs, directing budgets and teams, analyzing campaign performance, and collaborating with content, product, engineering, and analytics partners.

  • What qualifications are common for SEO/SEM Director jobs?question toggle

    Employers commonly look for extensive digital marketing experience, demonstrated search growth, strong analytical and communication skills, and expertise in areas such as technical SEO, paid search, budgeting, and performance measurement. Specific requirements vary.

  • How much do SEO/SEM Directors earn?question toggle

    Pay varies by location, industry, company, experience, and role scope. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including SEO/SEM Director opportunities.

  • Where can I find SEO/SEM Director jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    You can explore SEO/SEM Director and related senior search marketing openings on Ladders, which focuses on vetted professional jobs with salaries of at least $100,000.