📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Organic Acquisition
🔹 Company: Cars Commerce
🔹 Location: Remote - United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-09
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading organic acquisition strategy for Cars.com
- Driving growth through SEO and innovative content development
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance discoverability
- Converting organic visibility into measurable business results
- Navigating the fast-paced and ever-changing search landscape
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and innovative leader with deep SEO expertise to drive growth and improve discoverability across Cars.com's platforms.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own and lead organic acquisition strategy for Cars.com
✅ Partner with Product, Engineering, and UX teams to refine and execute strategy
✅ Regularly audit competitors, site health, and organic performance using best-in-class tools
✅ Partner with Editorial teams to identify new content opportunities
✅ Build innovative frameworks for content testing
✅ Champion thought leadership and act as organization SME on AI, LLM search, and consumer search behavior
✅ Own SEO analytics and report on relevant metrics
✅ Lead and manage a high-performing team with two direct reports
✅ Work closely with Paid Media to align organic and paid strategies
✅ Advise on the B2B site, CarsCommerce.inc, and investor relations site
✅ Advocate and evangelize for SEO across the organization
✅ Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of SEO strategies, technical and content SEO, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of experience total with a majority in SEO or related fields, with 5+ years of people management experience
Required Skills:
- Deep expertise in SEO strategy, technical and content SEO
- Deep technical understanding of how LLMs parse content
- Proven track record of driving organic growth through innovation and experimentation
- Highly proficient in tools like Google Search Console, GA4, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, Lumar, and related platforms
Preferred Skills:
- Experience at a site with 2M+ monthly organic visits
- Experience in a media company
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in SEO, experience managing teams, and a deep understanding of LLMs will be most successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $149,800.00 - $187,250.00 per year
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
- New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
- Generous PTO
- Refuel - a service-based recognition program
- Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Benefits are comprehensive and designed to support employee well-being.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development, specifically focused on automotive marketplaces and technology solutions
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1998 (as Cars.com, merged with Dealer Inspire in 2021 to form Cars Commerce)
Company Description:
- Cars Commerce is an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars.
- The Cars Commerce platform includes the flagship automotive marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com, innovative digital marketing technology and services from Dealer Inspire, industry-leading trade-in and appraisal technology from AccuTrade, an exclusive in-market media network, and powerful and predictive AI technologies that enable more efficient and profitable retail operations.
- Cars Commerce is the essential partner to stay one step ahead in automotive.
Company Specialties:
- Mobile Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Data and Analytics
Company Website: http://www.carscommerce.inc
ASSUMPTION: Cars Commerce is a well-established company with a strong focus on innovation and data-driven solutions in the automotive industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Sr. Director of Brand and Content
Reporting Structure: This role has two direct reports and works cross-functionally with various teams, including Product, Engineering, Editorial, and Analytics.
Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with the flexibility to work from anywhere in the United States
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a more senior leadership role within the organization
- Opportunities to expand the SEO team and influence the broader organization
- Chance to work on high-impact projects that drive significant business growth
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a substantial impact on the organization's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote, with no physical office requirement
Office Location(s): Not applicable
Geographic Context:
- The United States has a diverse automotive market with varying consumer behaviors and preferences
- Cars Commerce operates in a competitive landscape, with other major players in the market
- The remote work environment allows for flexibility and work-life balance
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with the flexibility to manage your own schedule
ASSUMPTION: The remote work environment and flexible schedule provide a good work-life balance for employees, while the competitive landscape keeps the role challenging and engaging.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- Technical assessment or case study presentation
- Final interview with key stakeholders
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- SEO expertise and strategic thinking
- Leadership skills and team management
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight your SEO experience and achievements in your resume
- Prepare a case study or presentation demonstrating your SEO strategy and approach
- Be ready to discuss your experience with LLMs and AI-driven search
- Research Cars Commerce and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the organization's success
ATS Keywords: SEO, organic acquisition, LLM, AI, content development, strategy, leadership, cross-functional collaboration, analytics, consumer search behavior
ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess your SEO expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit within the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Search Console
- GA4
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- Screaming Frog
- Lumar
- Other SEO and analytics tools as needed
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard in the SEO industry and can be learned or mastered by candidates with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Rise Together: Collaboration and teamwork are essential for success
- Open to All: Encourage open-minded communication and diverse thinking
- Caring to Challenge: Foster a respectful environment where critical thinking is valued
- Doing the Right Thing: Act with integrity, even when it's hard
Work Style:
- Data-driven and results-oriented
- Innovative and forward-thinking
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Accountable and responsible
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Cars Commerce's shared values, particularly 'Rise Together' and 'Open to All'?
- How do you approach challenging situations, keeping in mind the 'Caring to Challenge' value?
- How do you ensure you're doing the right thing, even when faced with difficult decisions?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Cars Commerce's values and work style will be most successful in this role and contribute positively to the organization's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Navigating a fast-paced and ever-changing search landscape
- Managing a team remotely and fostering a collaborative environment
- Balancing the need for innovation with the requirement to deliver measurable results
- Working with cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders without direct authority
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, adaptability, and excellent communication skills to overcome successfully.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role focuses more on strategic leadership and innovation than tactical SEO execution
- It requires a broader understanding of AI, LLM search, and consumer search behavior than traditional SEO roles
- Career progression may involve moving into a more senior leadership role within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar SEO leadership positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy for Cars.com, driving significant organic traffic growth
- Leading a team to optimize content for LLMs and AI-driven search, improving discoverability and conversions
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance the user experience and drive measurable business results
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and innovative nature of the role, requiring a strong understanding of SEO, AI, and consumer search behavior.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the organization's long-term strategy for growth and innovation?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does Cars Commerce support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the SEO team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Cars Commerce foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, the organization, and the expectations for your success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Highlight your SEO experience and achievements in your resume
- Prepare a case study or presentation demonstrating your SEO strategy and approach
- Research Cars Commerce and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the organization's success
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
