Senior Director, Content & Search

Job description

Company Cox Automotive - USA Job Family Group Marketing Job Profile Sr Director, Search Engine Optimization Management Level Sr Director Flexible Work Option Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the weekTravel % Yes, 25% of the time Work Shift Day Compensation Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $163,400.00 - $272,300.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program. Job Description Position Overview Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Director, Content & SEO to lead content strategy, content operations, and organic search performance across Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader , two of the most trusted consumer brands in the automotive industry. This senior leadership role offers significant executive visibility and influence. The Senior Director will regularly partner with VP-level leaders across Sales, Business Operations, Advertising, Marketing, Product, and Engineering to ensure content investments drive measurable business outcomes. Reporting directly to the AVP, Product & Engineering , this leader will oversee an organization of approximately 50 professionals spanning: • Content Strategy • SEO • Editorial Production • Creative Production • Content Operations • Social Media This role requires a strategic, autonomous leader who can drive organizational transformation, content innovation, audience growth, and business performance during a period of rapid change in digital publishing and AI-driven search. How We Work Editor-First AI AI supports, but never replaces, human creativity, expertise, and editorial judgment. Smart Brevity We create content that is clear, useful, engaging, and easy to consume. Extreme Ownership Everyone leads. Everyone grows. Everyone drives results. Multimedia-First Every story is visual, interactive, dynamic, and audience-centric. Key Responsibilities Executive Leadership & Industry Representation • Serve as the senior content and SEO leader for KBB and Autotrader. • Represent content strategy in executive forums across Sales, Advertising, Marketing, and Business Operations. • Translate content strategy into commercial value and support client-facing sales narratives. • Serve as an external thought leader through industry conferences, publications, and speaking engagements. • Manage OEM relationships, press access, embargo protocols, and industry partnerships. • Lead media and public relations efforts in partnership with Corporate Communications. • Build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders and influence across a highly matrixed organization. Change Leadership & Organizational Transformation • Lead organizational change across a 50-person content organization. • Develop and execute change management plans related to: • AI-enabled workflows • Tool migrations • Workflow redesign • Organizational restructuring • Brand strategy shifts • Partner with HR and executive leadership on workforce planning and team evolution. • Coach directors and senior managers to lead change effectively. • Maintain operational continuity while navigating transformation initiatives. Content Strategy: Two Brands, One Vision • Develop and evolve content strategies for both Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader. • Define publishing priorities, content tiers, and coverage strategies. • Leverage audience insights, search demand, and AI search trends to inform content investments. • Create content strategies that perform across: • Owned platforms • Search engines • AI-powered discovery experiences • Social channels • Third-party distribution platforms • Establish and maintain brand voice, editorial standards, and content quality frameworks. • Align content strategy with advertising, marketing, acquisition, and retention goals. Creative Strategy & Multimedia Production • Lead creative strategy across: • Editorial content • Photography • Video • YouTube • Social media • Establish production standards, creative excellence, and audience engagement goals. • Drive video and YouTube growth strategies. • Oversee platform-specific social content strategies. • Champion new formats, emerging platforms, and content innovation opportunities. • Build scalable multimedia production workflows while maintaining quality standards. Content Operations & Technology • Oversee a content ecosystem producing more than 2,000 assets annually . • Own end-to-end content operations, including: • Editorial calendars • Production workflows • Quality assurance processes • Resource planning • Lead content technology strategy across: • CMS platforms • SEO tools • AI platforms • Analytics systems • Workflow management tools • Evaluate, select, implement, and optimize content tools and vendors. • Establish operational performance metrics and reporting. • Build scalable processes that support AI-assisted production while maintaining editorial integrity. Vendor & Platform Management • Manage enterprise relationships across tools such as: • Bynder • Monday.com • Adobe • WordPress VIP • Zapier • Lead contract negotiations, renewals, SLA management, and cost optimization initiatives. • Identify opportunities to consolidate and improve the overall technology portfolio. SEO & Generative Search Optimization (GEO) • Lead a team of SEO Product Managers supporting both brands. • Own enterprise SEO strategy, including: • Technical SEO • Keyword strategy • Content optimization • Internal linking • Authority building • Develop and execute Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) initiatives. • Optimize content visibility across AI-powered search experiences, including: • Google AI Overviews • ChatGPT • Perplexity • Emerging AI search platforms • Monitor search ecosystem changes and proactively adapt strategies. • Integrate SEO best practices throughout the content lifecycle. Cross-Functional