Optimum Performance Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Vice President, Performance Content is a senior leader responsible for setting the vision and driving the long-term success of SEO, AEO and GEO across a portfolio of key client relationships and the broader agency. This role partners with executive client stakeholders and internal leadership to translate business goals into scalable SEO strategies, operating models, and measurement frameworks that drive meaningful outcomes.

Successful candidates will have experience and knowledge of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) as well as AEO (Answer Engine Optimization).

As search evolves through automation and AI-influenced discovery experiences, the VP ensures Starcom’s SEO practice remains future-ready, credible, and performance-driven, balancing innovation with strong foundational SEO excellence.

• Set the SEO vision and multi-year roadmap across assigned client portfolios, aligning strategy to business objectives and measurable KPIs across both traditional and AI-driven search environments.
• Serve as a senior escalation point and trusted advisor, building and maintaining executive-level client relationships and guiding high-stakes decisions.
• Establish and reinforce wide standards for SEO strategy, governance, QA, and delivery consistency across technical, content, and authority workstreams.
• Lead and develop senior talent (Directors, Associate Directors, and Managers), driving coaching, succession planning, and a high-performance, learning-oriented team culture.
• Drive integrated solutions by partnering with cross-functional leaders (e.g., paid search, analytics, activation, content, and broader media teams) to ensure SEO is embedded in holistic plans.
• Own the evolution of the SEO toolset and tech stack, ensuring teams are equipped to analyze and optimize performance across both traditional and AI-driven search environments.
• Guide enterprise measurement approaches and executive-ready storytelling, including how success is defined and measured across both traditional search performance and emerging AI-driven search experiences.
• Selectively leverage AI-assisted capabilities where appropriate (e.g., opportunity identification, workflow efficiencies, trend monitoring) while maintaining strong human judgment and quality control.
• Drive the development of scalable frameworks, capabilities, and solutions that enable clients to compete for visibility across AI-driven and answer-based search experiences.
• Support account growth and new business by shaping SEO narratives, contributing to pitches, and clearly articulating the value of SEO across the evolving search landscape.

• 7–10+ years of SEO experience with depth across technical SEO, content strategy, performance measurement, and enterprise execution (agency experience strongly preferred).
• 3+ years leading teams and developing managers/leadership layers; demonstrated ability to scale quality across multiple accounts.
• Strong Knowledge of Generative Engine Optimization and Answer Engine Optimization
• Strong proficiency with web analytics and measurement (e.g., Google Analytics/Adobe Analytics) and enterprise SEO platforms/tooling.
• Proven ability to translate complex findings into clear executive-ready narratives, recommendations, and decision frameworks.
• Deep expertise in the evolving search landscape, including AI-driven and generative search, with the ability to shape organizational POV and drive adoption of new capabilities across teams and clients.
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills, including partnering with product/engineering/content stakeholders to drive implementation.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and project/program leadership capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• 'Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMTTACompliance@publicis.com.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $149,340.00 - USD $214,620.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. This role may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 8/23/2026.