--- title: 'Associate Director, SEO (Generative Engine Optimization) at VML' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-seo-generative-engine-optimization-vml-dallas-texas-z6d04b9ty000' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Associate Director, SEO (Generative Engine Optimization) at VML - **Company:** VML - **Location:** Dallas Texas, United States - **Compensation:** $75k–$180k - **Posted:** 2026-08-27 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://www.vml.com/careers/job/8756209002?gh_jid=8756209002 ## Job description ## Who We Are VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore. VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel. For more information, please visit [www.vml.com](http://www.vml.com/)and follow along on  [LinkedIn](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__urldefense.com_v3_-5F-5Fhttps-3A_www.linkedin.com_company_vml_-5F-5F-3B-21-21JboVxjCXSME-21OhlpCfbkl1UcWPwns1-2DGtvHOzFh0QwHV49fsPgGw-2DVCCU1bCg8aQFI9vN-2Dy-2DVwaQcITH2j2XKzGKBIFRLYf2AUWVYY1dFGK6-24&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=zouFnm4jZMgDFaYF1uVcRY3rbgHWPca_luUrBUkT6Yc&m=QzcCgXCAOjzj5hiU48_CKOdHRSJ4_YpuqfviT9yjlzH5VrkzySTZ-WaQXlYAnj4W&s=jJ7q5V70u9oUx7ONPm5jC3IK8y6vxDilX6BGTlqlWlA&e=) #WeAreVML. Associate Director, SEO (Generative Engine Optimization) As the Associate Director, SEO, you will help deliver cutting-edge, high-quality search and generative engine optimization (GEO) work that is customized to specific goals. Working within our Discoverability group in support of a major enterprise client, the focus will be to drive brand visibility inside AI-generated answers as well as traditional search results, using the client's brand visibility platform. The ability to manage multiple workstreams across products, sub-brands, languages and markets in a complex enterprise environment will be critical to the success of this role. This includes facilitating strategy workshops, building and expanding prompt sets, briefing content gaps, and running the post-launch optimization loop to ensure VML delivers a holistic, inclusive approach for all client needs. ## What you'll do Workshop facilitation. Lead structured strategy sessions with client marketing and product stakeholders to set categories, map content frameworks to their product and launch calendar, and produce an initial prompt set ready for import into the brand visibility platform. You must be comfortable running this both solo and as a co-facilitator alongside the client's own team. Content gap briefing. Translate the content framework output into actionable content briefs the client's own team can execute, identifying what owned content already exists, what is missing, and what must be created for each product launch. You will need to write a brief engineered for LLM visibility, not just SEO hygiene. Prompt strategy development and expansion. Build and structure prompt sets that scale, growing prompt depth across products, languages, sub-brands and markets over time. Apply the distinction between branded and unbranded prompt coverage, funnel mapping, and intent balance as defined by the content framework matrix. Post-launch optimization loop management. Return after deployment to review uplift in the platform, refresh the prompt set, identify new gaps, and coach the client through an ongoing GEO optimization cadence. Success is measured by prompt list growth and CDN page activation, not deliverable count. Product fluency and platform credibility. Complete hands-on work in the platform environment and the client's reference training sessions before any client-facing engagement. Be credible enough in the platform to facilitate a live in-session gap review with the client, and confident enough in GEO fundamentals to hold the room in a co-branded facilitation context without misrepresenting the tool's native capabilities. Foundational SEO expertise. Bring expert-level understanding and application of technical, on-page, off-page, mobile, local, international and e-commerce SEO, and use it as the substrate for GEO recommendations. Common supporting deliverables include SEO and content audits, keyword and entity research, competitive analyses, technical SEO consultation, on-page optimization, content development workflow support, off-page asset optimization, and analysis and reporting. Strategic leadership. Think beyond tactical execution to deliver high-level strategic recommendations for custom-tailored, best-in-class discoverability work, and develop and consult on efforts that provide tangible results against previously defined goals. Lead projects of all sizes and take an active role in growing the business within the engagement. Category currency. Stay current on the latest SEO and GEO tooling, evolving LLM retrieval and citation behavior, reporting capabilities, and industry voices to help keep VML at the forefront. Proactively keep clients, client counterparts and internal VML teams informed on current trends and changes. Cross-discipline collaboration. Work with Paid Search and Performance Content team members to support Discoverability initiatives and maximize overall impact. Maintain a solid understanding of holistic integrated media tactics alongside organic search, including paid search, social media, mobile marketing, PR and analytics, and be prepared to leverage these disciplines to benefit clients. ## Who you are - A strong facilitator who can run a room of senior marketing and product stakeholders, keep a working session on track, and leave with a usable output rather than a list of open questions - Excellent presentation skills, including presentation building, storytelling and delivery - Clear, confident and direct communication style - Willing to make confident, educated judgment calls - Careful and accurate when representing partner technology, and able to say what a platform does and does not do without overselling - Dedicated to championing the vision of the practice and the agency - Committed to exceptional client service with a relentless pursuit of successful and satisfied clients - Flexible in the face of change, able to think on your feet and adapt quickly, which matters in a discipline where the underlying models and best practices shift month to month - Eager to collaborate across disciplines for a more holistic approach to serving our clients' needs - Values collaboration, continuous learning, organization, adaptability and self-motivation ## What you'll need - 6-8 years experience working in SEO, agency experience required - Demonstrable GEO or AI-visibility experience, including prompt set design, LLM-oriented content briefing, or measurement of brand presence in AI-generated answers - Experience facilitating client-facing workshops or strategy sessions with senior stakeholders - Willingness and availability to complete hands-on demo environment work and the client's reference training before any client-facing engagement - Hands-on experience with enterprise brand visibility platforms, like Profound, Peec, Adobe, etc. or the ability to reach working fluency in a demo environment quickly. You will use the client's platform for prompt set import, gap review and uplift reporting, including live in-session reviews with the client - Experience with SEO tools such as SEMRush, Deepcrawl, STAT, Screaming Frog, MOZ, and comparable AI visibility tracking platforms, preferred - Management and leadership experience with direct reports - Strong client facing abilities, including comfort operating in co-branded settings alongside a partner's own team The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click [WPP Benefits](https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome)for more details. _ $75,000—$180,000 USD We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our [Recruitment Privacy Policy](https://www.vml.com/recruitment-privacy-policy). California residents should read our [California Recruitment Privacy Notice](https://www.vml.com/california-recruitment-privacy-notice). This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it. ## About VML ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: VML is a global creative company that helps brands drive growth by seamlessly connecting Brand Experience, Customer Experience, and Commerce through a human-first, tech-enabled approach. - **Entity Type**: Public (subsidiary of WPP, LSE: WPP) - **Headquarters**: New York, United States - **Founded**: 2024 (formed from the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, with legacy agencies dating back to 1864) - **Founders**: Not applicable – the company was formed by merging two WPP agencies; Global CEO is Jon Cook ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Advertising services, marketing, digital transformation, brand consulting - **Target customers**: B2B – large enterprise brands across sectors (consumer goods, healthcare, technology, retail, etc.) - **Mission or purpose statement**: “Create connected brands that become a part of people’s lives and drive growth for client partners” – guided by a “Human First” creative philosophy. ## Products & Services - **Brand Experience (BX)**: Compelling brand worlds and creative platforms that build emotional connections from the first touchpoint. - **Customer Experience (CX)**: Intelligent digital platforms, loyalty programs, and data-driven customer journeys that deepen relationships. - **Commerce**: Seamless, innovative commerce solutions that convert interest into action. - **Technology Transformation**: Digital infrastructure, platform engineering, and AI-powered marketing via WPP Open. - **Health**: Specialized healthcare marketing and communications (VML Health). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed for VML (parent WPP’s market cap is ~£8B as of mid-2025). - **Key Metric**: 26,000+ employees across 150+ offices globally (vml.com); some sources report 34,000+ on LinkedIn. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company WPP; key clients include blue-chip global brands (not publicly listed). - **Growth Signals**: - Formed in 2024 from two major WPP agencies, consolidating over 300 years of combined expertise. - 373 active job postings (LinkedIn, as of mid-2026) with +80.2% quarterly growth in postings. - Named No. 3 on an unspecified industry ranking (vml.com/expertise). - VML Foundation has contributed over $3.2 million to charitable causes. ## Competitive Advantages - **Human First approach**: A creative philosophy that prioritizes deep understanding of human needs, making campaigns more resonant and effective. - **Connected capabilities**: Unlike pure creative or tech firms, VML integrates BX, CX, and Commerce into a single, unified offering. - **Scale and heritage**: 26,000 people in 50+ markets, with legacy from J. Walter Thompson, Y&R, Wunderman, and VML. - **WPP Open**: Access to WPP’s AI-powered marketing operating system for intelligent, measurable, and scalable solutions. - **Inclusion Experience**: A dedicated consultancy helping clients design inclusive experiences for people with disabilities. ## Strategic Focus - Deepening the integration of creativity and technology to deliver “connected brands.” - Expanding AI-driven marketing and personalization through WPP Open. - Growing the Health practice and Commerce capabilities. - Investing in talent development and culture (e.g., Emerge Internship Program, Catalyst Academy, All Win Program). - Continuing to build a diverse, inclusive workforce and culture of belonging. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Emphasizes “Human First” internally – belonging, continuous learning, and authentic personal branding. The Culture & Belonging team actively fosters understanding and empathy. - **Career Development**: Bespoke platforms for career mapping, feedback coaching, and skills building. Programs like Catalyst Academy (12-month global program) and Emerge US Internship (10-week) provide structured growth. - **Work Environment**: Hybrid and office-based roles; 150+ offices worldwide offer global mobility. The Detroit Experience Studio and All Win Program show community engagement. - **Perks & Benefits**: VML Foundation (employee-led giving), wellness resources, and a focus on mental and physical health. - **Engineering Culture**: For tech roles, exposure to large-scale digital transformation projects, WPP Open AI platform, and modern data/tech stacks. ## Sources 1. [vml.com/careers](https://www.vml.com/careers) – Careers page with culture, programs, and values. 2. [vml.com/about-us](https://www.vml.com/about-us) – About page with company overview, leadership, and history. 3. [vml.com/expertise](https://www.vml.com/expertise) – Description of core services and capabilities. 4. [linkedin.com/company/vml](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vml) – LinkedIn company page with employee count, job postings, and recent departures. ## Other roles at VML - [Senior Experience Strategist - Freelance](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-experience-strategist-freelance-vml-kalamazoo-michigan-r2z631jnpqda) — Kalamazoo Michigan, United States - [Executive Director, Marketing Intelligence Platforms & Innovation](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-director-marketing-intelligence-platforms-innovation-vml-detroit-kg8pmjg40s91) — Detroit Michigan, United States / New York New York, United States - [Executive Director, Data Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-director-data-engineering-vml-detroit-michigan-327914jy8chg) — Detroit Michigan, United States - [Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-vml-detroit-michigan-j2hvtq7p342r) — Detroit Michigan, United States - [Creative Director, Art and Design](https://feeny.ai/job/creative-director-art-and-design-vml-newport-beach-california-jb494a23r8ty) — Newport Beach California, United States - [Creative Director, Art and Design](https://feeny.ai/job/creative-director-art-and-design-vml-new-york-new-york-b96sv0fpz9we) — New York New York, United States - [Market Client Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/market-client-lead-vml-johannesburg-cr91r775xqbn) — Johannesburg, South Africa - [Director of Social Strategy](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-social-strategy-vml-toronto-c4tb9dcrqjrx) — Toronto, Canada - [Creative Director-Copywriting](https://feeny.ai/job/creative-director-copywriting-vml-new-york-new-york-ktg67npdp3p2) — New York New York, United States - [Director Strategy](https://feeny.ai/job/director-strategy-vml-chicago-illinois-41z1683aw0ee) — Chicago Illinois, United States