Search Engine Optimization Manager Jobs in Ontario

Publicis is an omni-channel communications agency with over 600 employees across our Canadian operations. The office is the largest in our industry in Canada and boasts talent across various disciplines of marketing and advertising expertise. Publicis carries a balanced split of Canadian, U.S. and Global clients for which we are Agency of Record.  Publicis supports a range of D&I actions through our Driving Change team as well as giving back to the community through a long-standing participation in the Out of the Cold Program. With a strong, active and familial culture, Pub United is the agency's social club, hosting events as wide reaching as Curling, Trivia Nights and more.

The Senior SEO/GEO Strategist is a critical role responsible for driving organic and AI-driven search performance for Publicis clients. This individual will lead the execution and evolution of SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategies, ensuring brands are visible, competitive, and optimized across traditional search engines and emerging AI platforms. We're looking for a passionate search expert with a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of how search integrates with broader digital marketing strategies.

This role owns the implementation, optimization, and ongoing management of technical SEO and GEO initiatives across client properties. In addition to hands-on execution, the Sr. SEO/GEO Strategist will provide strategic guidance, shaping digital experiences through best practices, forward-thinking insights, and continuous innovation. Success in this role requires a proactive mindset, analytical rigor, and a commitment to staying ahead of evolving search technologies and industry trends.

• Lead ongoing monitoring and analysis of organic and AI-driven search performance across major search engines and generative platforms; translate data into actionable insights and executive-ready reporting.
• Drive data-informed optimization strategies to improve site architecture, technical health, user experience, and conversion performance in alignment with business goals and KPIs.
• Oversee advanced keyword and entity research to identify scalable content, visibility, and authority-building opportunities across traditional SEO and emerging GEO environments.
• Provide strategic direction for on-page optimization, including metadata, structured data/schema, internal linking, and content frameworks to ensure technical and semantic excellence.
• Translate performance insights into forward-looking strategic roadmaps that elevate brand visibility, competitive positioning, and share of voice across search ecosystems.
• Present performance results, strategic recommendations, and growth opportunities directly to clients and senior stakeholders with clarity and authority.
• Conduct in-depth competitive and SERP landscape analysis to identify gaps, threats, and opportunities-defining clear strategies to outperform competitors in organic and AI search results.
• Stay ahead of algorithm updates, AI search advancements, and industry trends; proactively educate internal teams and clients on implications and opportunities related to SEO and GEO.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with media, content, analytics, UX, and development teams to ensure integrated execution and alignment across digital initiatives.
• Mentor and guide junior team members, providing quality control, feedback, and thought leadership to elevate overall team capability.

• 5+ years of SEO experience, preferably within an agency or startup environment.
• Ability to independently develop, manage, and execute comprehensive SEO strategies from discovery through implementation and reporting.
• Strong understanding of how SEO integrates with paid media, social, PR, content, CRO, and other channels-and how these dependencies impact traffic demand and rankings.
• Proactively identifies growth opportunities and emerging trends in search (including AI-driven search environments).
• Experience using Google Keyword Planner, Google Analytics, Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMRush, Screaming Frog, BrightEdge and LookerStudio.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to present findings/observations in an effective manner.
• Capable of managing multiple clients and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and performance targets.
• Experienced in setting expectations, prioritizing initiatives, and communicating trade-offs.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an aptitude for collaborative working with teams across the internal organization.
• Naturally curious and business-oriented-able to connect search insights to broader marketing, creative, and user experience opportunities.
• Someone with an attitude that they can tackle anything thrown their way. They are excited by figuring out things they've never done before. They do not have "that's not my job" in their vocabulary.
• Self-motivated, accountable, and comfortable owning outcomes.

AI Use

We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of our hiring process, such as reviewing applications or analyzing resumes. These tools assist our recruitment team but never replace human decision-making. We believe in a human-first approach, where your experience and potential are recognized by people.

Publicis Canada is committed to building a diverse workforce representative of our community. We encourage and are pleased to consider all qualified candidates, without regard to race, colour, citizenship, religion, sex, marital / family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, aboriginal status, age, disability or persons who may require an accommodation, to apply.  If you require a specific accommodation please contact Human Resources.