Permanent Ran Optimization Engineer Jobs in Ames, IA

Lead SEO, CRO, and emerging AI/Generative search (GEO) to drive organic performance.

Head of Organic Growth (SEO / CRO / AI Search) Employment

Full‑time

Must be eligible to work in the USA and located in one of the following states: TN, GA, AL, FL, NC, SC, NV, NH, TX, MN, VA, IL

The Summary

We are looking for a strategic, player‑coach leader to join our team as Head of Organic Growth (SEO / CRO / AI Search). This is a director‑level role that owns the agency’s organic performance discipline end‑to‑end across traditional SEO, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), and the rapidly emerging field of AI / Generative search (also called GEO or AEO). The ideal candidate has 7+ years of progressive experience across SEO and CRO, with mandatory hands‑on expertise in Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, Google Tag Manager, an enterprise A/B testing platform (VWO, Optimizely, or Convert), and a working command of how AI‑driven surfaces (Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude) source and cite content. This Director will set the organic strategy across the client portfolio, lead and mentor SEO/CRO/GBP specialists, partner with Account Directors and the Development Team on execution, and personally own the agency’s POV on where organic growth is going next. A track record of measurable organic lift across rankings, qualified traffic, AI citations, conversion rate, and revenue is essential.

Responsibilities Organic Growth Strategy & Leadership

Set and own the agency’s organic growth strategy across SEO, CRO, and AI/Generative search. Translate client business goals into integrated organic roadmaps that ladder up to measurable revenue impact. Lead, mentor, and grow a team of SEO, CRO, and GBP specialists by setting standards, reviewing work, and developing career paths. Serve as the agency’s senior point of contact for organic strategy in new business pitches, QBRs, and executive‑level client conversations.

SEO Strategy & Execution

Direct technical, on‑page, content, and off‑page SEO programs across a multi‑client portfolio. Oversee site audits, keyword and topic strategy, internal linking, schema/structured data, site architecture, and authority‑building. Partner with the Development Team on technical SEO requirements (Core Web Vitals, indexability, rendering, hreflang, structured data) and with content teams on topical authority and editorial planning.

CRO & Experimentation Leadership

Own the agency’s experimentation discipline. Set the testing roadmap, prioritization framework, and statistical rigor across client A/B and multivariate testing programs. Personally design and review high‑stakes experiments. Partner with the CRO Specialist on platform execution (VWO, Optimizely, Convert), ensure clean tracking via GA4 and GTM, and translate test outcomes into permanent site changes and case studies.

AI / Generative Search (GEO / AEO)

Build and own JG’s methodology for getting clients cited in AI‑driven search surfaces such as Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, and what comes next. Develop the agency’s POV on content structure, entity optimization, citation‑worthiness, and tracking AI visibility. Lead client education on the GEO/AEO shift and what it means for their organic strategy.

Platform & Tool Expertise Google Analytics 4, Search Console & Google Tag Manager (Required)

Deep proficiency in GA4 for funnel and acquisition analysis, Search Console for query and indexing analysis, and GTM for event tracking and dataLayer architecture is required.

A/B Testing Platforms (Required)

Hands‑on, leader‑level experience with at least one enterprise‑grade testing platform such as VWO, Optimizely, or Convert. Must be able to architect a testing program and personally QA variations, not just direct one.

Enterprise SEO Tooling (Required)

Working command of an enterprise SEO toolkit such as Ahrefs, Semrush, Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, or equivalent. Must be comfortable running a technical crawl, log‑file review, and building a topic/cluster strategy from scratch.

AI Search Visibility Tooling (Required / Differentiator)

Working knowledge of tools and methods for monitoring AI Overview presence, LLM citations, and brand mentions inside generative answer engines (e.g., Profound, Peec, Otterly, Athena, or equivalent). Must have a clear point of view on what works.

JavaScript, HTML & CSS (Required)

Working proficiency in front‑end web technologies to scope test variations, troubleshoot tracking, and partner credibly with the Development Team. Need not be a production engineer, but must be comfortable reading code and writing/debugging scripts inside testing and tag platforms.

Figma (Required)

Ability to collaborate within Figma to review, annotate, and contribute to wireframes and UX/UI explorations that inform test variations and landing page optimizations.

Heatmap & Session Recording Tools (Preferred)

Experience with Microsoft Clarity, Hotjar, or FullStory to drive qualitative insight and test hypotheses.

CMS Platforms (Preferred)

Familiarity with WordPress and/or Shopify for shipping optimized pages and CRO changes inside common CMS environments.

Local SEO Tooling (Preferred)

Familiarity with Soci, Yext, or equivalent for multi-location clients, sufficient to direct a GBP Specialist credibly.

UX Research & CRO Best Practices

Direct heuristic evaluations, usability audits, and journey mapping to identify conversion barriers. Apply persuasion principles, cognitive bias awareness, form optimization, page speed impact, and mobile‑first design. Partner with UX/UI designers and developers to ensure test variations and permanent changes meet both conversion goals and brand standards.

Performance Reporting & Client Communication

Own the organic performance narrative across the portfolio. Build and present quarterly business reviews that connect SEO/CRO/GEO activity to revenue. Proactively flag pacing or performance concerns to Account Directors and the broader strategy team. Develop case studies that demonstrate the ROI of organic work and translate statistical outcomes into business impact.

Strategy & Innovation

Stay at the front of search, experimentation, and behavioral analytics. Build JG’s POV on how AI‑powered personalization, predictive analytics, and generative answer engines change organic strategy. Contribute to the agency’s external thought leadership and internal best practices.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience across SEO and CRO, with at least 2 years in a lead, manager, or director‑level role.
• Verifiable, hands‑on experience with Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Search Console, and Google Tag Manager (GTM).
• Demonstrated proficiency in at least one enterprise A/B testing platform (VWO, Optimizely, or Convert).
• Demonstrated proficiency in an enterprise SEO toolkit (Ahrefs, Semrush, Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, or equivalent).
• A clear, evidence‑based point of view on AI / Generative search (GEO / AEO) and how content gets cited by Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini.
• Working knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS sufficient to scope test variations, troubleshoot tracking, and partner credibly with developers.
• Proficiency in Figma for design collaboration and wireframe review.
• Strong understanding of CRO best practices, including statistical significance, sample size calculation, and experiment design methodology.
• Experience with heatmap and session recording tools (Microsoft Clarity, Hotjar, FullStory) is strongly preferred.
• Agency‑side experience managing multi‑client portfolios is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading or mentoring SEO, CRO, or local search specialists is strongly preferred.
• A college degree in Marketing, Analytics, Computer Science, UX Design, Business, or a related field is preferred.
• Exceptional organizational and time‑management skills, with a proven ability to lead multiple concurrent client engagements simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex data into actionable, evidence‑based recommendations.
• A curious and proactive, team‑oriented attitude and a genuine passion for understanding user behavior and driving measurable business outcomes.

Benefits

• Flexibility to work from home with optional hybrid work environment for locals in our beautifully renovated downtown office (with paid parking).
• 100% employer‑paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employee AND two family members.
• 401(k) with company match.
• PTO, sick days, and paid holidays.
• Wellness stipend.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Company‑wide social events like an annual lake day, team‑specific retreats, and more.
• Summer Fridays.