GEO & SEO Manager (Contractor – Internal / Content & Owned Properties)
We are a PR/digital/marketing agency seeking an GEO & SEO Manager (Contractor) to lead and execute search strategy across our agency’s owned digital ecosystem, including our website, content platforms, and other owned properties.
This is an internal, individual contributor contract role focused on building and optimizing our company’s visibility across both traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered search environments (GEO). The role also functions as a Content Editor, ensuring all published content is structured, optimized, and aligned to search performance goals.
This position sits at the intersection of AI search optimization, technical SEO, and content strategy. Success in this role comes from the ability to own execution end-to-end—turning content into a scalable discoverability engine that drives qualified traffic and strengthens authority across search and AI-generated results.
This is not a managerial role. It is a hands-on, execution-heavy position for someone who can operate independently and move quickly.
Type: Contract (individual contributor) - This is a full-time independent contractor (1099) engagement
Location: Remote; must be comfortable working Eastern Time hours
Compensation: Hourly or monthly retainer, based on experience
Key Responsibilities
SEO & GEO Strategy (Owned Properties)
- Own and execute SEO and GEO strategy across all our owned properties
- Identify opportunities to increase organic visibility, authority, and traffic quality
- Optimize for both traditional search engines and AI-powered search environments
- Establish SEO and GEO as core drivers of inbound visibility and brand authority
Content Optimization & Editorial Oversight
- Serve as Content Editor for our agency and related owned platforms
- Review, edit, and optimize all content for SEO and GEO prior to publication
- Ensure content is structured for search intent, readability, and AI discoverability
- Partner with internal stakeholders to shape content topics, formats, and distribution
- Maintain consistency in tone, structure, and optimization standards
Generative & AI Search Optimization (GEO)
- Structure content to improve visibility and citation within AI-generated results
- Implement structured data and semantic markup to enhance machine readability
- Monitor how our agency appears across AI search platforms
- Identify and act on opportunities to improve presence in AI-driven search
SEO Execution & Technical Optimization
- Conduct technical SEO audits (site structure, crawlability, indexation, page speed, Core Web Vitals, schema, redirects)
- Implement SEO updates directly within CMS platforms (WordPress required)
- Manage keyword research, mapping, and on-page optimization across properties
- Continuously optimize existing content to improve rankings and performance
Performance Tracking & Optimization
- Track SEO and GEO performance using tools such as Google Search Console, GA4, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or similar
- Analyze traffic, rankings, engagement, and conversion signals
- Report on performance trends and identify opportunities for improvement
- Stay current on algorithm updates and evolving AI search behavior
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with marketing, PR, and leadership teams to align content and visibility goals
- Support thought leadership initiatives through search optimization
- Collaborate with developers as needed to implement technical improvements
Required Qualifications
- 3–5+ years of hands-on SEO experience
- Strong technical SEO and on-page optimization capabilities
- Experience with GEO / AI search optimization or strong familiarity with the space
- Experience editing and optimizing content for search performance
- Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript
- Experience with CMS platforms (WordPress required)
- Strong analytical skills and familiarity with SEO tools
- Ability to work independently and manage priorities without heavy oversight
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing content strategy or editorial workflows
- Background in digital publishing, content marketing, or media
- Experience with schema markup and advanced technical SEO
- Familiarity with headless CMS or modern web frameworks
- Understanding of PR and earned media’s impact on search visibility
What Success Looks Like
- Consistent growth in organic traffic and search visibility
- Increased presence in AI-generated search results
- Content is consistently optimized and aligned to search intent
- Our agency’s owned platforms become a meaningful inbound engine
- SEO and GEO are embedded into content creation workflows
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

.png)
.png)
