Job Description

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants As a global communications consultancy with 100 years of experience, Ketchum is a trusted partner who is equal parts creative and analytical. Ketchum is a place where all perspectives and points of view are welcome and encouraged. We are a collection of communications specialists, content creators, creatives, researchers, data analysts, media pros, digital strategists, issues and crisis counselors, and tech nerds. And we love when those worlds collide to create the very best teams and solutions for our clients. We work with the world’s leading brands, emerging start-ups, and everything in between. We are beyond proud to have created some of the most celebrated and award-winning campaigns in our industry. We’re just crazy enough to think we can impact the world – and how it responds to ideas – through communication. We encourage our employees to be curious, brave, inspiring, and a force for good. Let’s talk. Come belong at Ketchum! Overview: We’re looking for a Director, Search to join our team. The responsibilities and qualifications for this job may sound familiar, but the person we’re looking for is unique. That’s because Ketchum is different. We are intuitive, skilled practitioners – risk-takers who are unafraid to try new things and don’t believe in settling for the tried and true. If this sounds intriguing, you probably belong here with us. And in this role, you will be a critical part of taking our team to the next level. Key Responsibilities: Lead development and execution of cutting-edge organic search strategies across traditional SEO, generative AI search, and social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, etc.). Serve as a trusted client advisor and primary contact, delivering strategic counsel and performance-driving insights. Stay ahead of evolving search trends—particularly within generative AI and conversational search interfaces (e.g., Google SGE, ChatGPT Browsing). Leverage social search intent and trends to develop strategies that drive brand relevance across non-traditional platforms. Use tools such as GA4, Adobe Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and social analytics platforms to derive insights, optimize performance, and demonstrate ROI. Translate complex data into compelling narratives for executive-level reporting. Lead, mentor, and inspire cross-functional teams; foster a culture of experimentation, collaboration, and search excellence. Build team capabilities through training, coaching, and scalable processes. Represent Ketchum in client presentations, industry events, and thought leadership content. Champion SEO innovation within the agency and externally. Oversee keyword research, competitive analysis, and on-page/off-page SEO, as well as social search optimization, to drive discoverability and engagement. Conduct in-depth search landscape analyses to identify opportunities, benchmark against competitors, and inform strategic direction across organic, generative, and social search platforms. Bring an understanding of SEM best practices and paid/organic synergies, supporting integrated search strategies as needed. Qualifications: 10+ years of experience in SEO, organic and/or generative search, with proven results in optimizing across multiple search environments—including social platforms. Demonstrated ability to lead strategic planning, diagnose performance gaps, and translate client goals into integrated search programs Strong familiarity with SEM and understanding of paid/organic synergy Expert in analytics and SEO tools, including GA4, Adobe Analytics, SEMrush (or similar), and strong skills in Excel and PowerPoint. Experienced in managing cross-functional teams and presenting to senior executives and clients. Outstanding communication skills and ability to inspire trust. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and deliver exceptional results in a dynamic agency environment. BS/BA degree preferred. We value diversity of thought, curiosity, background, and experience. The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, past training, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity and local geographic market data. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available. #LI-Hybrid LI-Hybrid What We Offer Hybrid Workplace: Three days a week in the office Robust benefits program, effective within 30 days of hire Paid maternity/paternity leave Family Forming Benefits Employee Recognition Program Generous paid time off includes vacation, wellness, and extended holiday schedule Various development opportunities to enhance personal and professional life Monthly Cell Phone & Wi-Fi reimbursement Interested? We’ve got an opportunity for you. Seniority level Seniority level Director Employment type Employment type Full-time Job function Job function Advertising Industries Public Relations and Communications Services Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Ketchum by 2x Get notified about new Director Search Engine Optimization jobs in Chicago, IL . 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