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

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.

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.