SEO Specialist II

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don’t take our word for it. As a U.S. News & World Report Best Company to Work For in 2024, we're obsessive about the employee experience. We are among the top 20% being declared “Best” of our industry based on six critical factors that are important to employee wellbeing, like quality of pay, benefits, work life balance and more.

The SEO Specialist II is an individual contributor member of the Dealer Inspire SEO Department, and is responsible for determining and executing organic search strategy for assigned clients. Specialists are responsible for all aspects of the client’s services, including conducting research, creating monthly strategy plans, conducting and correcting the results of site health audits, and managing directory citation consistency, with the goal of helping clients to have . Dealer Inspire SEO Specialists work with Performance Managers, Strategists, and SEO Copywriters to deliver industry leading results and organic growth, making strong organization, time management and communications skills a critical part of success in this role.

Specialists manage a heavy client load of between 20 and 30 accounts, making time management and ability to complete tasks accurately and efficiently critical to success in this role. Tasks have varying recurrence schedules and due dates, requiring adaptability and the ability to stay organized while balancing task loads.

Duties:

Conduct preliminary research following established process, using critical thinking and reasoning to identify organic search strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for assigned clients

Create required deliverables based on research following established process, applying critical thinking skills to reach accurate conclusions and recommendations

Use research, analysis, and client needs to create sound organic search strategy within confines of established process that will drive organic performance for clients while meeting package requirements

Meet with clients and performance managers on a scheduled basis to review monthly reports, upcoming strategy execution, and client questions or concerns

Complete monthly tasks for all client’s strategy to department standards on or before internal deadlines, including but not limited to:

Content editing and publishing

Google My Business check ins and updates

Citation management

Social posting

Technical site audits

Technical site updates

Google Search Console audits and investigation

Performance deep dives

Monthly performance reporting

Strategy adjustments

Other tasks as required

Make proactive recommendations about service upgrades

Engage in department and company OKR efforts

Understand and abide by compliance rules for brands

Participate in and support case study and experiment efforts led by Seniors

Requirements:

Active interest in organic search, search engines and digital marketing, and drive to stay abreast of industry news and updates

“Always learning” attitude, driven by the desire to continuously gain knowledge and improve skills

Ability to comfortably and successfully manage heavy client loads (20-30 clients)

Ability to complete all required tasks within outlined time requirements and by required due dates each month

Willingness to work overtime as needed to complete client work on schedule

Critical thinking and reasoning skills; the ability to take learned concepts and apply them appropriately to unique situations in order to arrive at the most logical plan of action

Willingness to identify problems or issues and raise them to leadership, as well as present possible solutions

Adaptability; willingness to accept and embrace changing processes, gray areas, and new ideas with ease and enthusiasm

Fully functional in all areas of the SEO skills matrix

Confidence and comfort in working with clients to review reporting and explain SEO strategy recommendations and actions

Strong written and verbal communication and grammar

Adherence to company tenets and department identity statement

Proficiency in using and understanding Google Search Console, SEMRush, Google Analytics, MozBar and Yoast.

Must be detail-oriented with exceptional proofreading skills

Ability to think creatively to solve problems

Able to interpret information and quantitative data and apply key findings to support client goals

Ability to work independently and collaborate within a team

At least 6 months of SEO experience at DI

What Determines Success as an SEO Specialist?

Successful Management of Full Client Load

Consistently meeting deadlines, within time requirements with quality work product and correct application of SEO principles

High Levels of Engagement with Team, Department and Company

Organic KPIs Trends

Organic KPIs month to month and year to year are expected to trend positively

Time Breakdown

85% // Roughly 4.25 Days/Week: Working on client-related tasks, including planning, researching, client calls, reporting, and standard recurring tasks.

15% // Roughly .75 Days/Week: OKR work, learning/studying SEO, supporting department initiatives, attending internal meetings

#LI-EJ #LI-Remote

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position which is not inclusive of bonuses, benefits or other forms of compensation that the position may be eligible for. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.

Salary Range

$56,700—$68,000 USD

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans

401(k) with Company Match + Immediate Vesting

New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Generous PTO

Refuel - a service based recognition program where employees receive additional paid time away to learn grow and reset

Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. California Applicants: Click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Applicants. For current employees, please click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Employees.