UL
Lead SEO Strategist
UL, Lake Forest, Illinois, United States, 60045
We are seeking an experienced Senior SEO Strategist with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making to lead our SEO initiatives and drive organic growth. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of SEO analytics, data interpretation, and performance optimization. You will be responsible for using advanced analytical techniques and tools to measure, report, and optimize our SEO efforts, ensuring measurable business impact. This role requires expertise in both the strategic and technical aspects of SEO, with an emphasis on using data to inform content strategies, keyword targeting, and overall site performance. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop and Execute SEO Strategy: Build comprehensive, data-driven SEO strategies that align with business objectives, focusing on measurable improvements in organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversions. Data Analysis and Reporting: Leverage advanced analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Google Search Console) to track key SEO metrics, conduct in-depth performance analysis, and identify trends. Provide actionable insights that drive optimization efforts and demonstrate ROI. SEO Performance Dashboards: Create and manage real-time dashboards using tools like Google Data Studio, Tableau, or Power BI to continuously monitor SEO KPIs such as organic search traffic, rankings, click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and bounce rates. Deliver insights to key stakeholders regularly. A/B Testing and Experimentation: Implement A/B tests and multivariate experiments to optimize SEO tactics such as meta titles, descriptions, page layouts, and content strategies. Use statistical data to measure the effectiveness of these experiments and refine strategies accordingly. Technical SEO and Site Audits: Conduct comprehensive technical audits to ensure the site meets best practices for SEO, including crawling and indexing, mobile optimization, site speed, and structured data. Work with development teams to fix technical issues and improve site architecture based on data insights. Keyword Research & Predictive Analysis: Use advanced keyword research techniques combined with forecasting and predictive analysis to uncover new ranking opportunities and inform content strategy. Track keyword performance to adjust tactics dynamically. Content Optimization and Strategy: Analyze existing content to identify areas for optimization based on traffic data, engagement rates, and keyword targeting. Collaborate with content teams to create new content that targets high-potential keywords and aligns with SEO best practices. Competitor and Market Analysis: Perform in-depth competitive analysis using data to benchmark performance, identify gaps in the market, and leverage opportunities to outperform competitors in organic search results. User Behavior Insights: Utilize tools like heatmaps, session recordings, and user behavior analytics (e.g., Hotjar, Crazy Egg) to gain insights into user interactions on-site, refine user experience, and make data-backed recommendations for improving SEO performance. SEO Automation and Scalability: Implement SEO automation tools and processes to streamline repetitive tasks like reporting, keyword tracking, and technical audits. Scale SEO initiatives across different regions or product lines using automated solutions. Additional Responsibilities: SEO Strategy Leadership: Lead the development and execution of long-term SEO strategies that align with broader business goals, overseeing multiple SEO initiatives across various teams and regions. Team Mentorship and Development: Mentor and train junior SEO team members, providing guidance on SEO best practices, tools, and techniques to build a high-performing team. Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with business, marketing, and web teams to ensure SEO is integrated into overall business strategies, influencing site architecture, content creation, and product development. Advanced Technical SEO Oversight: Oversee complex technical SEO implementations, including site migrations, international SEO, and advanced schema markup strategies to ensure search engine crawlability and indexation. Strategic SEO Roadmap Planning: Develop and maintain a high-level SEO roadmap, prioritizing initiatives based on potential ROI, resource allocation, and industry trends. Executive Reporting and Presentations: Regularly present SEO performance insights, KPIs, and growth opportunities to executive leadership, providing actionable recommendations for continued improvement Innovation and Trend Analysis: Stay ahead of industry trends, search algorithm updates, and emerging technologies (e.g., AI, voice search), adapting strategies to maintain a competitive edge. Budget and Resource Management: Oversee the SEO budget, including tool subscriptions, outsourced services, and team resources, ensuring cost-effective strategies and maximum ROI. Requirements: Experience: 5 years of proven experience in SEO strategy with a strong focus on data and analytics. Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Data Science, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Technical Skills: Proficiency with SEO and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, Screaming Frog), as well as data visualization platforms (e.g., Google Data Studio, Tableau, Power BI). Analytical Mindset: Exceptional data analysis skills with experience turning complex data sets into actionable insights that drive SEO strategy and improve performance metrics. Experimentation and Testing: Experience running A/B tests, measuring impact, and using data to inform iterative improvements. Content and On-Page SEO: Strong understanding of on-page SEO and content marketing, with the ability to use data to drive content optimization efforts and improve rankings. Technical SEO Knowledge: Expertise in technical SEO, including crawling, indexing, page speed optimization, and schema markup, along with the ability to interpret complex technical issues and propose solutions. Leadership and Collaboration: Experience leading cross-functional teams, managing junior SEO team members, and working closely with developers, designers, and content creators. Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present data findings and SEO performance to stakeholders at all levels. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with automation tools like Zapier, or custom scripts for SEO reporting. Familiarity with AI and machine learning applications in SEO. Experience with international and multi-language SEO. Google Analytics, Google Data Studio, or related certifications. What youll experience working at UL: Mission: For UL Solutions, corporate and social responsibility isnt new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 130 years and is deeply engrained in everything we do. People: Ask any UL Solutions employee what they love most about working here, and youll almost always hear, the people. Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL Solutions. Were able to deliver the best because we employ the best. Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers create. Were inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles, you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world. Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles. Total Rewards: All employees at UL Solutions are eligible for bonus compensation. UL Solutions offers a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. We provide Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that UL Solutions contributes to twice per year Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off. Learn More: Working at UL Solutions is an exciting journey that twists and turns daily. We thrive in the twists and revel in the turns. This is our every day. This is our normal. Curious? To learn more about us and the work we do, visit UL.com. LI-SG2 LI-Hybrid A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage. UL LLC has been and will continue to be an equal opportunity employer. To assure full implementation of this equal employment policy, we will take steps to assure that: Persons are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, color, age, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, religion, creed, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy, marital or familial status, or any other protected category under applicable law.