Director, SEO

The Guitar Center Company is a leading and dynamic retailer, known for its commitment to delivering exceptional products and services to customers nationwide. With a strong online presence, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Search SEO to increase the visibility and organic traffic / revenue to our ecommerce business. You will oversee leading a team of SEO specialists and overseeing both on-site and off-site SEO optimization. As Director of SEO, your tasks will include performing keyword research, setting performance metrics, devising SEO strategies and content marketing campaigns, analyzing the results of past and ongoing SEO strategies and identifying potential areas of improvement. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in SEO, data analysis, and team leadership.

Leadership and Strategy:

Develop and execute a comprehensive SEO strategy, including a roadmap of initiatives to drive growth Supervise a team of SEO specialists and oversee the implementation of on-site and off-site SEO strategies Recommend changes to website architecture to improve SEO performance and pass Core Web Vitals Develop strategies to improve the quality and relevance of website content for both users and search engines. Ensure SEO team stays on top of SEO industry changes, social trends and search engine updates Drive Local SEO excellence by using 3 rd party tools for location aggregation across platforms Lead and scale an SEO Content team responsible for developing and optimizing content across product detail pages (PDPs), product listing pages (PLPs), buying guides, and other key site sections to drive organic traffic and revenue Define the SEO content strategy, including keyword targeting, content prioritization, and production roadmap aligned to business goals Establish content standards and governance to ensure consistency, quality, and SEO best practices across all ecommerce content.

Product Knowledge Focus:

Overseeing technical aspects of SEO and recommending fixes, including site structure, crawlability, indexing, internal linking, metadata and core web vitals Conduct market and keyword research to develop content plans Optimize website content and landing pages using data collected from SEO analysis and research Lead and mentor the SEO content team and broader copy organization on writing for both users and search engines Direct off-page optimization projects (g. link-building) Keeping abreast of search engine algorithm updates, industry trends, and emerging SEO techniques to adapt strategies accordingly. Oversee the creation and optimization of SEO-driven content for PDPs, PLPs, and category pages, ensuring alignment with keyword strategy and user intent Own content briefs, workflows, and performance feedback loops for the SEO content team

Performance Metrics:

Set SEO performance goals and measure them using KPIs such as organic traffic, search rankings, search engine visibility, and click-through rate Monitor and analyze ongoing SEO campaigns to identify problem areas and suggest ways to improve Create robust reports and insights on SEO performance to be shared with key stakeholders

Collaboration and Communication:

Collaborate with IT teams to address technical issues that may impact search engine rankings. Work closely with content creators to optimize on-page elements, including meta tags, headings, and content structure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including content, Taxonomy, and paid search, to integrate SEO into overall digital strategies. Communicate SEO strategies and results effectively to key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with broader business goals. Collaborate with other departments, such as IT, product management, and UX, to implement cross-functional initiatives.

Professional Experience and Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field; Master's degree preferred. Proven experience (5+ years) in a leadership role overseeing SEO strategies for large-scale e-commerce platforms. Experience in using most popular website crawlers (ScreamFrog, DeepCrawl, and Moz), SEO Analysis tools (Ahrefs, Semrush, and SEOptimer) In-depth knowledge of SEO best practices, search engine algorithms, and the latest trends in digital marketing. Proven history of SEO copywriting with an understanding of how to write for both users and search engines at once Strong analytical skills and proficiency in using analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Omniture, Google Search Console, and other relevant platforms. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for driving digital growth and possess the skills outlined above, we invite you to apply for the Director of SEO position at The Guitar Center Company. Join our dynamic team and play a key role in shaping the future of our online presence. Why Guitar Center? Here's just some of the rewards: For our employees who are musicians we offer the unique opportunity of gig leave--take time off to share your music with the world and return to your job after your tour! Guitar Center offers robust benefits and perks, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plus company match, mental health support, paid sick/holiday/vacation time, employee discount program, and tuition reimbursement options.

Pay Rate:

$175,000- $195,000/yr depending on background and experience. This position is eligible to participate in the Guitar Center Company bonus program based on Company performance. The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. The pay range(s) listed are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations. About Guitar Center Guitar Center embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. We strive to craft lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost indescribable happiness that comes from playing an instrument. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion. Why join us? With a career at Guitar Center, you become part of the world's largest multichannel musical instrument retailer. Whether at our Stores, Contact Centers, Distribution Centers, or Support Center, Guitar Center employees have a common goal: to help people find their sound and fill the world with more music. Love this gig and want to apply? Send your resume and cover letter today along with salary expectations! Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by sending an email to recruiting@guitarcenter.com .