SEO Lead

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: SEO Lead

🔹 Company: PlayAI

🔹 Location: Palo Alto, California, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site

🔹 Category: Technology, Information and Internet

🔹 Date Posted: April 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (not remote or hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Building and evolving PlayAI’s full SEO strategy across PLG, B2B sales, and developer/API acquisition.
• Driving high-impact growth initiatives and testing novel SEO strategies.
• Conducting comprehensive SEO audits and implementing on-page, off-page, and technical SEO tactics.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align SEO into all stages of the user journey.
• Measuring SEO performance and connecting efforts to business metrics.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong technical SEO skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and evolve PlayAI’s full SEO strategy across all growth motions: PLG, B2B sales-led, and developer/API acquisition.

✅ Build on existing SEO efforts while identifying and driving high-impact growth initiatives.

✅ Develop and test novel SEO strategies to expand PlayAI’s organic reach and authority.

✅ Conduct comprehensive SEO audits to identify technical and content improvement opportunities.

✅ Implement and oversee on-page, off-page, and technical SEO tactics, including link-building, meta-tagging, structured data, and internal linking improvements.

✅ Continuously recommend and execute changes to website architecture, content, linking strategy, and site speed to maximize SEO performance.

✅ Collaborate closely with content, marketing, growth, and engineering teams to align SEO into all stages of the user journey, from discovery to conversion.

✅ Keep up-to-date with SEO trends, search engine algorithm changes, and emerging growth strategies.

✅ Analyze and report SEO performance using relevant tools and drive decision-making based on insights.

✅ Measure everything – tie SEO efforts directly to business metrics like traffic, signups, leads, and revenue – and communicate performance clearly to leadership.

✅ Move fast, test aggressively, and push beyond standard tactics to unlock new growth channels.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive approach, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience: 5+ years of SEO experience, ideally in fast-paced SaaS, API platform, or AI/tech environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven success scaling organic acquisition and connecting SEO work to real business outcomes.
• Strong technical SEO expertise – comfortable partnering with engineers on execution.
• Deep understanding of how SEO supports different motions (PLG, sales, developer/API) across the funnel.
• Excellent communication skills – can align priorities across teams and present complex SEO concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Data- and impact-driven – makes decisions based on performance and moves quickly to iterate.
• Passion for AI, voice technology, and building next-generation products.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with SEO tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, SEMrush, or Ahrefs.
• Familiarity with website analytics and A/B testing.
• Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in SEO, with a proven track record of driving organic growth and connecting SEO efforts to business outcomes.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $185,000 per year (based on industry standards for an SEO Lead role in the San Francisco Bay Area)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Competitive salary
• Work alongside top-tier product, engineering, marketing, and leadership teams in an exciting, high-growth environment

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for a results-driven work environment

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for an SEO Lead role in the San Francisco Bay Area. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Technology, Information and Internet – specifically, AI and voice technology

Company Size: 2-10 employees – a small, agile team where your impact will be significant

Founded: 2024 – a young, fast-growing startup with a focus on innovation and disruption

Company Description:

• PlayAI is building state-of-the-art generative voice and conversational AI products.
• Their platform empowers businesses and developers to create human-like AI voice agents.
• They have scaled revenue 20x over the past two years and are backed by top investors (YC W23, $20M seed).

Company Specialties:

• Generative voice and conversational AI
• AI voice agents for businesses and developers
• Product-led growth (PLG), B2B sales, and API businesses

Company Website: https://play.ai

ASSUMPTION: PlayAI is a fast-growing startup with a strong focus on innovation and a passion for AI and voice technology. They value entrepreneurship, creativity, and a scrappy mindset.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior – this role offers significant growth opportunities and the chance to make a substantial impact on the company's success

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and works cross-functionally with marketing, sales, growth, engineering, and leadership teams

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time – this role requires working in-person from the Palo Alto office

Growth Opportunities:

• As the first dedicated SEO hire, you'll have the opportunity to build and lead a team as the company grows.
• This role offers significant career growth potential, as you'll be instrumental in driving PlayAI's organic growth and expanding its reach.
• You'll have the chance to work closely with leadership and influence the company's overall growth strategy.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers substantial growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: In-person, on-site – this role requires working from the Palo Alto office

Office Location(s): Palo Alto, California, United States

Geographic Context:

• The Palo Alto office is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing ample opportunities for networking and collaboration with other tech professionals.
• The area offers a high cost of living but is known for its vibrant tech industry and diverse culture.
• Palo Alto is home to numerous tech companies, startups, and venture capital firms.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for a results-driven work environment

ASSUMPTION: Working in Palo Alto offers unique opportunities for growth and collaboration within the tech industry, but it's essential to consider the high cost of living in the area.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
• Technical SEO assessment or case study to evaluate your SEO skills and strategic thinking
• On-site interview with the CEO and other team members to discuss your approach to SEO, growth strategies, and cultural fit
• Final reference check and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Technical SEO expertise and ability to execute on complex projects
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop and communicate a cohesive SEO vision
• Communication skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Cultural fit and alignment with PlayAI's values and mission

Application Tips:

• Highlight your relevant SEO experience and achievements in your resume and cover letter
• Tailor your application to demonstrate your understanding of PlayAI's products and business model
• Prepare for the technical SEO assessment by brushing up on your knowledge of on-page, off-page, and technical SEO tactics
• Research PlayAI's competitors and identify opportunities for differentiation and growth

ATS Keywords: SEO, SEO strategy, organic growth, technical SEO, link building, meta tags, structured data, website architecture, SEO performance, business metrics, PLG, B2B sales, developer/API acquisition

ASSUMPTION: PlayAI's hiring process is designed to assess your technical SEO skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. They value candidates who can think beyond "checklist SEO" and bring a creative, entrepreneurial mindset to the role.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• SEO tools: Google Search Console, Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs
• Website analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or similar tools
• CMS: WordPress, Drupal, or similar platforms
• HTML, CSS, JavaScript

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is preferred but not required. PlayAI values candidates who are eager to learn and adapt to new tools and platforms.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Builders – PlayAI values employees who take ownership and drive results
• Doers – They prioritize action and execution over perfection
• Innovators – PlayAI encourages creativity and thinking beyond traditional playbooks

Work Style:

• Collaborative – PlayAI values teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
• Agile – They prioritize speed and adaptability in a fast-changing environment
• Data-driven – PlayAI makes decisions based on performance and continuous iteration

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where you're expected to take ownership and drive results?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively with cross-functional teams and adapting to changing priorities?
• Do you have a passion for AI, voice technology, and building next-generation products?

ASSUMPTION: PlayAI values candidates who are builders, doers, and innovators, with a strong work ethic and a passion for AI and voice technology.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, startup environment with a high degree of uncertainty and change
• Balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders, including marketing, sales, growth, engineering, and leadership teams
• Managing a high workload and tight deadlines, with a focus on results and impact
• Adapting to a small, agile team with a flat organizational structure and minimal bureaucracy

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to working in a fast-growing startup and require a high degree of adaptability, prioritization, and time management skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional SEO roles, this position requires a strong strategic mindset and the ability to develop and execute novel SEO strategies
• PlayAI's focus on AI and voice technology sets this role apart from more traditional SEO positions
• As the first dedicated SEO hire, this role offers significant growth opportunities and the chance to make a substantial impact on the company's success

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on AI and voice technology and offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate.

📝 Sample Projects

• Conducting a comprehensive SEO audit of PlayAI's website and identifying high-impact improvement opportunities
• Developing and executing a novel SEO strategy to expand PlayAI's organic reach and authority in the AI and voice technology space
• Collaborating with the content team to optimize on-page SEO elements, such as meta tags, headers, and internal linking

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to assess your technical SEO skills, strategic thinking, and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current state of PlayAI's SEO efforts and where you see opportunities for growth and improvement?
• How does PlayAI's SEO strategy support the company's overall growth goals, including PLG, B2B sales, and developer/API acquisition?
• What are the biggest challenges facing PlayAI's SEO efforts, and how do you plan to address them?
• How does PlayAI approach collaboration and communication between SEO and other teams, such as marketing, sales, and engineering?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess your understanding of PlayAI's SEO landscape, strategic thinking, and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the PlayAI careers page
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant SEO experience and achievements
• Prepare for the technical SEO assessment by brushing up on your knowledge of on-page, off-page, and technical SEO tactics
• Research PlayAI's competitors and identify opportunities for differentiation and growth
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.