📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: SEO Manager
🔹 Company: Hearst
🔹 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Media Production
🔹 Date Posted: May 13, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days per week in the office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Providing day-to-day SEO leadership for advanced/large clients
- Broadening overall engagements with cross-channel knowledge
- Leading more junior owned media personnel on enterprise-level clients
- Participating in new business pitches and helping shape the company’s SEO product offering
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, technical SEO expertise, and strong communication skills to manage large clients and mentor junior team members.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Responsible for client owned media strategy
✅ Primary point of contact to present strategies to clients
✅ Leads owned media engagements for large size and complex clients
✅ Facilitates upsell and cross sell opportunities with clients
✅ Participates in new business pitches
✅ Mentors junior team members in all owned media topics
✅ Leads the creation of new practices and creation of deliverables based on industry trends
✅ Attends and presents at industry conferences and events
✅ Creates client success case studies
✅ Creates industry POVs
✅ Earns high overall client satisfaction scores
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, client management, team leadership, and industry thought leadership.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Minimum 4 years’ experience working in SEO
Required Skills:
- Advanced knowledge of common industry tools & platforms
- Expert proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel & PowerPoint)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Clear and concise communication style
- Strong mathematical, analytical and writing skills
- Must be able to compare data and analyze tactics to maximize results
- Fundamental understanding of HTML
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with CSS, JavaScript and web design technologies
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong foundation in SEO best practices and be comfortable working with data and analytics tools.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 per year (for New York City; may vary based on location)
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
- Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
- Parental Leave
- Employee assistance program and other company benefits
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is for the New York City location and may differ for other offices. Benefits are subject to change and may vary based on employment status.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Hearst is a global, diversified information, services, and media company with a mission to inform audiences and improve lives. It operates in various industries, including media production, publishing, and financial services.
Company Size: Hearst has over 10,000 employees worldwide, providing ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Hearst was founded in 1887 and has since grown into one of the largest media, information, and services companies in the world.
Company Description:
- Hearst operates as a professional services company at the intersection of marketing and technology.
- It partners with ambitious brands to solve complex challenges, accelerate growth, and drive performance.
- Hearst believes in the power of its people and fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Company Specialties:
- Media Production
- Digital Marketing
- Magazines
- Entertainment
- Publishing
- Business Media
- Cable
- Radio
- Real Estate
- Syndication
- Marketing
Company Website: http://www.hearst.com
ASSUMPTION: Hearst's diverse portfolio and global presence offer unique opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a mid-level management position, requiring strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Reporting Structure: The SEO Manager reports directly to the Senior Manager, Owned Media and works closely with cross-functional teams, including strategy, creative, and media.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring 2 days per week in the office. The remaining workdays can be performed remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead larger teams or take on more strategic responsibilities as the company grows.
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects across various industries and brands.
- Access to professional development resources and training programs.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers ample opportunities for growth and development within Hearst's diverse portfolio of businesses.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hearst's Scottsdale office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.
Office Location(s): 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, US
Geographic Context:
- Scottsdale is a vibrant city located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, offering a mix of urban and suburban living.
- The city is known for its high-quality of life, with numerous cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and a thriving business community.
- Scottsdale is home to many Fortune 500 companies and offers ample opportunities for networking and professional growth.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with 2 days required in the office and the remaining workdays flexible.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- Technical SEO assessment or case study presentation
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the senior leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- SEO expertise and technical knowledge
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Hearst's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your SEO experience and relevant skills.
- Prepare for the technical assessment by brushing up on your SEO knowledge and tools.
- Research Hearst's portfolio and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values.
ATS Keywords: SEO, strategy, client management, team leadership, industry trends, owned media, cross-channel knowledge, upselling, new business pitches, Microsoft Office, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary based on the specific hiring manager and team, but generally follows a structured assessment and interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- SEMrush, Ahrefs, or other SEO tools
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript (basic understanding)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary based on the client and project requirements.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Quality
- Purpose
- Innovation
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Data-driven
- Adaptable
- Creative
- Results-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
- Are you comfortable working with data and analytics to inform strategic decisions?
- Do you have strong communication skills and the ability to present complex ideas clearly and concisely?
- Are you passionate about staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices?
ASSUMPTION: Hearst values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, and seeks candidates who align with these principles.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple large clients and their unique needs and expectations
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day tactical execution
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing SEO landscape
- Working effectively in a hybrid work environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other SEO Manager roles, this position offers a unique blend of strategic, tactical, and leadership responsibilities.
- Hearst's diverse portfolio provides opportunities to work on a wide range of projects and industries.
- This role offers a clear path for career growth and development within Hearst's owned media team.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of responsibilities and opportunities that set it apart from similar roles in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing an SEO strategy for a large e-commerce client to improve organic traffic and conversions
- Conducting a comprehensive SEO audit of a B2B website and recommending strategic improvements to enhance visibility and lead generation
- Creating and presenting a client success case study at an industry conference, showcasing the impact of SEO on a client's business goals
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how have previous managers approached them?
- How does this role fit into the broader owned media team and Hearst's overall strategy?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?
- How does Hearst support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help assess the role's fit with your career goals, work style, and personal values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your SEO experience and relevant skills, using keywords such as SEO, strategy, client management, and team leadership.
- Prepare for the technical assessment by brushing up on your SEO knowledge and tools.
- Research Hearst's portfolio and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values.
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
