VP, Search
Critical Mass View all jobs
- Toronto, ON
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Serve as the discipline lead and global point of contact for the Search practice-representing CM's Search capabilities across agency leadership, cross-functional partners, and the broader Omnicom network.
- Define and lead the agency-wide vision for best-in-class SEO, SEM, and GEO-developing strategic POVs, frameworks, and standardized processes across regions and accounts.
- Act as a strategic thought leader, innovator, and champion for the role of search across the modern digital ecosystem.
- Spearhead and deliver educational Search presentations, developing internal slideware to keep other disciplines updated on search news, trends, best practices, and “what it means for your clients” opportunities.
- Own staffing strategy and resourcing across the global Search practice and client portfolio, partnering with Operations and account leaders to forecast needs, allocate talent, and address coverage gaps proactively.
- Lead administrative and operational oversight for the discipline (e.g., capacity planning, utilization, role mix, and scalable delivery models, performance reviews, capability roadmaps).
- Act as the executive Search lead for priority accounts, guiding senior stakeholders and ensuring Search programs align to business objectives, scope and measurable outcomes.
- Lead the creation, definition, execution, and optimization of holistic search strategies (SEO + SEM + GEO), including multi-year roadmaps.
- Proactively drive new business growth-shaping offerings, scoping work, mapping pricing/LOEs, supporting new business pitches, and identifying organic growth opportunities.
- Communicate complex search concepts and performance narratives in a concise, compelling, executive-ready manner, transforming search data insights into strategic opportunities.
- Lead and implement AI Search Optimization / GEO strategies, ensuring clients are discoverable across AI Overviews and LLMs (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, AI Mode, etc.).
- Build frameworks and processes to systematically track and improve search performance, including GEO visibility metrics, attribution impacts, and content/technical readiness.
- Keep the agency ahead of search shifts (AI/ML automation, SERP changes, visual/voice/social search) and translate those shifts into new service offerings.
- Utilize cross-channel search data to understand user intent, shape content strategy, and identify business opportunities.
- Advise on technical website development to maximize indexability and visibility, including JavaScript SEO and accessibility considerations for both users and LLM crawlers.
- Define search-driven guidelines and requirements for content, page speed, accessibility, structured data, site architecture, URL structure, metadata, internal linking, sitemaps, etc.
- Conduct regular SEO/SEM/GEO audits and competitive analyses, translating insights into prioritized, executable roadmaps.
- Deliver actionable performance insights and strategic recommendations through clear, visually compelling reports-communicating complex concepts in a concise and easy-to-understand manner
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate SEO strategies and best practices.
- Optimize social search channels (e.g., YouTube, TikTok) to maximize brand and content visibility across the digital landscape.
- Define success metrics and translate SEO/SEM/GEO results to business objectives.
- 10-15+ years of Search experience, including 5+ years leading high-performing Search teams across multiple accounts.
- Experience managing department-level staffing, resourcing and operations.
- Strong communication and data storytelling skills (written and verbal), with confidence presenting to executive clients and agency leadership.
- Deep expertise in SEO (technical + content + UX + measurement) and experience overseeing SEM strategy or managing large-budget paid search campaigns.
- Experience integrating paid and organic search strategies and workflows to reduce costs while maximizing key business outcomes.
- Proven track record of driving measurable performance improvements.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with experience leading multiple workstreams, teams, and deadlines simultaneously.
- Experience with global brands and international SEO (multi-region, multi-language sites).
- Experience managing SEO strategies for large-scale website migrations and redesigns.
- Experience with GEO and AI search optimization for both AI Overviews and LLMs (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, AI Mode, etc.).
- Experience defining and documenting cross-disciplinary internal processes, playbooks, and best practices to improve search implementation and deliverable quality.
- Deep understanding of search algorithms and ranking factors across modern search ecosystems (traditional search, social search & AI search).
- Proficiency in 3rd party SEO/SEM tools such as SEMrush, BrightEdge, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and similar platforms.
- Proficiency in analytics and visualization tools such as Google Analytics, Looker Studio (Data Studio), Adobe Analytics, Google Search Console, Tableau, etc.
- Experience with GEO/AI search tracking tools such as Profound, BlueFish, BrightEdge AI Catalyst, or similar solutions.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
- Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, large datasets) and experience analyzing and reporting on performance data.
- Experience developing and executing search-driven content strategies that improve visibility, traffic, engagement, and conversion.
- Experience testing and leveraging AI to improve search workflows, efficiencies, and quality.
- A proactive, self-starter attitude and a passion for staying current in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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