Role Overview
We are seeking a US-based, in-house SEO Manager to lead an AI-enhanced SEO content delivery program for automotive dealership clients. This full-time, salaried role will own the end-to-end process of producing high-quality, search-optimized content pages (e.g. vehicle model overview pages, service landing pages) at scale using a blend of AI (GPT) generation and human strategic guidance. The company’s established content strategy leverages AI to draft pages quickly while relying on human SEO inputs for defining page goals, tone, and incorporating local market & OEM-specific research. The SEO Manager will serve as the “operator” of this AI-driven content engine – designing workflows, guiding AI outputs, and ensuring each page meets quality standards and SEO objectives. This is a hands-on leadership role at the intersection of content, systems, and search, ideal for someone passionate about SEO innovation and automation.
Key Responsibilities
- SEO Content Strategy & Planning: Develop and execute a comprehensive SEO content plan tailored to automotive retail. Identify content opportunities through keyword research and competitive analysis, especially focusing on local search trends and OEM (manufacturer) insights. Prioritize and maintain a content calendar that schedules new page creation and regular content refreshes based on SEO impact and seasonal demand. (Example: Plan pages for new car models, service specials, and timely updates to keep content fresh for search).
- AI Workflow Management: Architect and optimize automated AI content workflows to produce pages at scale. Leverage tools like GPT-4 and workflow automation platforms (e.g. n8n, Zapier) to streamline each step – from content ideation and data gathering, through AI text generation, to publishing. Continuously refine prompt frameworks and templates to improve AI output relevance. (Goal: Rapidly generate initial drafts for pages such as “2025 [Make] [Model] Overview” using AI, guided by your SEO instructions.)
- Content Quality Control & SEO Optimization: Establish a rigorous QA and human-in-the-loop editing process for all AI-generated content. Review and edit drafts to ensure accuracy, brand alignment, and high editorial standards. Optimize on-page SEO elements – incorporating target keywords naturally, crafting compelling meta titles/descriptions, and ensuring clear calls-to-action. Verify that each page meets brand guidelines (tone, style) and uses appropriate structured data (Schema.org markup) for maximum search visibility (e.g. adding LocalBusiness schema for dealership info or Product/Offer schema for vehicle pages).
- Publishing & Technical Integration: Oversee the final steps of content publication to the dealership websites. Work closely with developers to establish content pipelines into established templates and hand offs for QA and upload workflows. Set up proper URLs, and implement internal linking strategies across pages. Ensure each page is technically sound – properly indexed (or non-indexed as appropriate), mobile-friendly, and loading fast. Coordinate with the development team to fix any SEO-related technical issues (site structure, crawlability, etc.) and to implement structured data or SEO tags site-wide as needed.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Account Managers to align content initiatives with client goals and communicate results. Partner with the marketing team to ensure content supports broader campaigns and adheres to OEM co-op compliance or branding requirements. Liaise with designers or content creators for any assets (imagery, video) to enhance pages. Provide guidance to any supporting content writers or freelancers, and champion SEO best practices across the organization. (Example: Work with account managers to incorporate each dealership’s unique selling points or local accolades into the AI-generated pages for authenticity.)
- Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Work with the account management team to track the performance of the SEO content program using Google Analytics, Google Search Console, looker studios, and SEO tools. Monitor key metrics (organic traffic, rankings, conversion actions on these pages) and generate reports to show value. Use insights to iterate on content and AI strategy; for example, adjust targeting if certain pages underperform, or refine AI prompts to improve content quality. Experiment with A/B tests or SERP analysis to improve page titles, snippets, or content structure. Stay up-to-date with search algorithm changes, emerging AI tools, and industry best practices, continuously innovating the content workflow to keep the program at the cutting edge.
(Overall, the SEO Manager is expected to be both strategic and hands-on – planning the content that will drive organic growth for each dealership, while also rolling up their sleeves to ensure the AI-driven content machine runs smoothly, efficiently, and delivers top-quality results.)
Essential Qualifications
- SEO Expertise: 5+ years of hands-on SEO experience (strategy and content creation) with proven results in growing organic traffic. Deep knowledge of on-page SEO, keyword research, and content optimization tactics is required. Experience crafting or managing SEO content at scale (multi-page content campaigns or large websites) is highly valued.
- Generative AI & Content Skills: Demonstrated experience using AI content generation tools (such as ChatGPT, Jasper, Copy.ai, etc.) to produce or refine content. Familiarity with prompt engineering – i.e. the ability to guide AI models with effective prompts and instructions – is essential. Candidates should be comfortable editing AI drafts to meet high editorial standards.
- Technical & Analytical Abilities: Strong analytical mindset with proficiency in SEO analytics and research tools (Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and platforms like SEMrush or Ahrefs). Ability to conduct competitive SERP analysis and interpret data to inform strategy. Basic understanding of HTML/CSS and structured data (Schema.org) usage for SEO (for example, knowing how to implement Organization, LocalBusiness, or Product schema on relevant pages) is required to ensure technical SEO best practices.
- Project Management: Excellent project and time management skills. Capable of coordinating a content calendar, handling multiple projects/deadlines, and organizing tasks (using project management tools like Asana, Trello, or similar). Detail-oriented with a focus on quality control – able to catch errors/inconsistencies in content or meta data before pages go live.
- Communication & Collaboration: Strong communication skills to work with cross-functional teams and clients. Proven ability to collaborate with or lead others in content initiatives – for example, working with account managers, writers, developers, and designers. Comfortable explaining SEO concepts and reporting on results to non-SEO stakeholders. A problem-solving, proactive attitude with a passion for continuous learning in the SEO and AI space.
Preferred Qualifications
- Automation & Technical Skills: Experience with automation tools or scripts for marketing is a major plus. Familiarity with n8n (preferred) or other workflow automation platforms (Zapier, Make, etc.) to connect APIs and automate tasks will significantly enhance effectiveness. Basic coding or scripting ability (Python, JavaScript, or use of no-code/low-code automation) is desirable to customize AI content pipelines and data integrations. Knowledge of SQL or database-driven workflows (for handling large datasets like inventory or analytics data) is a bonus.
- AI & Programmatic SEO Innovations: Prior experience in AI-assisted content programs or programmatic SEO (where large numbers of pages are generated from data templates) is highly valued. Experience designing prompts for AI, using AI writing assistants in a professional setting, or implementing an AI content QA process is a strong advantage. Any background with AI/ML libraries (OpenAI API, Hugging Face, etc.) or tools like LangChain for content generation workflows would set a candidate apart.
- Industry Knowledge: Experience in the automotive retail or dealership marketing space is a plus. Understanding car shopper search behavior, dealership website platforms, and OEM brand guidelines can help in creating more effective, compliant content. Similarly, familiarity with local SEO (Google Business Profile optimization, local citations, region-specific content approaches) will be useful given the local nature of dealership searches.
- Strategic & Leadership Skills: Ability to think strategically about content as part of broader marketing and SEO campaigns. Candidates who have led content or SEO initiatives (either as a senior specialist or manager) are preferred – especially if they have mentored team members or coordinated across departments. A track record of driving innovation (such as implementing a new tool or process that improved SEO results) will be viewed favorably.
- Education & Certifications: A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, computer science, or a related field is preferred but not strictly required. Professional certifications (e.g. Google Analytics IQ, SEO-specific certifications, HubSpot Content Marketing) or active involvement in SEO communities (speaker at industry events, contributions to SEO blogs) would demonstrate passion and expertise.
(Note: The preferred qualifications above are “nice-to-haves.” Candidates who excel in the essential qualifications and show enthusiasm for AI-driven SEO will be strongly considered, even if they are still developing some of these additional skills.)
Tools and Automation Skills
To succeed in this role, the SEO Manager should be proficient with a range of tools and platforms at the nexus of SEO and automation. Key tools and skills include:
- SEO Research & Analytics: Mastery of Google Search Console and Google Analytics for performance tracking and insights. Experience with SEO suites like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, or Similarweb to conduct keyword research, backlink analysis, and competitive benchmarking. The ability to use Excel/Google Sheets or BI tools to analyze data and spot trends is also important.
- Generative AI Platforms: Hands-on experience with Large Language Model tools for content creation. This includes using interfaces or APIs for OpenAI GPT (e.g. ChatGPT), and possibly specialized content tools like Jasper, Copy.ai or Notion AI. The SEO Manager should know how to craft effective prompts and utilize AI to draft content, as well as how to post-edit AI output to meet SEO and quality standards. Familiarity with emerging AI writing assistants or custom fine-tuned models is a plus (to stay ahead of the curve in AI content).
- Workflow Automation: Proficiency in automation platforms such as n8n (preferred), Zapier, Make (Integromat), or similar tools for creating multi-step workflows. This skill is crucial for connecting various services – for example, pulling local data or OEM info from spreadsheets/APIs, feeding it into AI content generation, and then routing the output to a content management system or publishing queue. Experience implementing or maintaining such automated pipelines will greatly increase efficiency.
- Web Content Management: Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) commonly used in websites (WordPress, Drupal, or dealership-specific platforms) and the basics of HTML/CSS for formatting content. Comfort with using plugins or modules for SEO (e.g. meta tags management, schema injection) is expected. Knowledge of version control or staging workflows (to QA content before it goes live) is helpful when collaborating with developers.
- Structured Data & Technical SEO Tools: Knowledge of Schema.org structured data implementation either via plugins or manual JSON-LD insertion. Understanding which schema types are relevant (e.g. LocalBusiness, Review, Product for automotive) and tools like Google’s Rich Results Test to validate markup. Additionally, familiarity with technical SEO tools (site crawlers like Screaming Frog, log file analyzers) can help in auditing and ensuring the technical health of the site.
- Collaboration & Productivity Tools: Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as Asana, Jira, Trello, or Slack to manage tasks and communicate with the team. Since the role involves coordinating across departments, the candidate should be adept at using these tools to keep everyone aligned. Also, being comfortable with documentation and spreadsheet tools (Google Docs/Sheets or Notion) for reporting and content planning is important.
- Coding/Scripting (Bonus): While not mandatory, the ability to read or write basic code is a significant advantage. This could include Python or JavaScript for writing small scripts to manipulate content or data, using RESTful APIs (for example, to interact with the OpenAI API or Google APIs), and employing libraries or frameworks (such as LangChain or HuggingFace pipelines) to experiment with custom AI solutions. Even a foundational ability here allows the SEO Manager to push the automation and customization of the content program further.
(The ideal candidate is both analytically savvy and tech-friendly – able to jump from using an SEO tool for keyword analysis, to tweaking an automation workflow in n8n, to editing a content piece in the CMS – ensuring all these tools work in concert to deliver results.)
