Technical Search Manager

Populus is an amazing company where our employees stay because they love their teams and the growth opportunities. Additionally, we offer a competitive 401K match, a generous paid time off package, and Health Benefits.

Our mission is to provide a broad range of quality financial products and services delivered with best-in-class customer service. We work and lead with integrity, and we celebrate employees who exemplify our values. Come join our team!

Populus Financial Group is seeking an experienced, data-driven Technical Search Manager to lead and scale technical SEO across a portfolio of multiple financial services brands and websites. This role is responsible for driving technical strategy, execution, and innovation across thousands of pages, ensuring optimal crawlability, indexation, and performance in both traditional and AI-powered search environments.

This individual will bring deep expertise in technical SEO and a forward-thinking approach to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). The Technical Search Manager will partner closely with IT, product, and marketing teams to deliver scalable solutions, while translating complex data into clear insights and recommendations for executive stakeholders.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record managing technical SEO for large websites, prioritizing high-impact initiatives, and influencing cross-functional teams. Experience supporting new page development, launching new brands, and working within cloud environments such as Azure is a plus. This role will report to the Director of Organic Marketing.

Major Responsibilities

• Develop and lead scalable technical SEO strategies across multiple domains and large page inventories.
• Own critical technical SEO components including crawlability, indexation, internal linking, site architecture, structured data, and rendering.
• Partner with web developers to implement improvements related to Core Web Vitals, page speed, mobile performance, and accessibility.
• Conduct comprehensive technical audits and translate findings into actionable, prioritized roadmaps.
• Define and implement optimization strategies for AI-powered search experiences, including Google AI Overviews and LLM-driven platforms.
• Optimize for answer-first content, entity-based search, and structured data to improve visibility in generative search results.
• Stay current with algorithm updates, SERP evolution, and advancements in AI search.
• Provide technical leadership for local SEO at scale, including location page optimization and schema implementation.
• Support integrations with local listing platforms (e.g., Yext) and Apple Business Connect.
• Analyze large datasets across platforms such as Google Search Console, analytics tools, and enterprise SEO platforms.
• Develop executive-level reporting that clearly communicates performance trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Translate data into actionable insights that influence business and product decisions.
• Oversee technical optimization across thousands of pages, ensuring consistency, scalability, and quality.
• Partner with CRO and product teams to execute testing strategies that improve user experience and conversion rates.
• Support development and optimization of new page types, site sections, and brand launches.
• Build and manage a technical SEO roadmap aligned with business priorities and impact.
• Serve as the primary SEO stakeholder for technical projects and releases.
• Work closely with developers, product managers, and IT to define requirements and ensure high-quality implementation.
• Create detailed documentation, tickets, and QA processes for SEO initiatives.
• Manage and mentor team members, fostering technical growth and accountability.
• Utilize enterprise SEO tools (e.g., SEMrush, Conductor, Screaming Frog).
• Leverage analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Search Console).
• Work within cloud environments such as Azure (preferred).

Key Competencies

• Deep knowledge of technical SEO including site architecture, rendering, structured data, and indexation management.
• Proven experience managing large-scale websites with thousands of pages.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex datasets and provide actionable insights.
• Experience building and presenting executive-level reporting.
• Working knowledge of generative search and emerging AI-driven SEO strategies.
• Ability to evolve strategies in response to changes in search behavior and technology.
• Experience improving Core Web Vitals and site performance.
• Familiarity with CRO methodologies and A/B testing frameworks.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives and prioritize based on impact and effort.
• Proven ability to work effectively with web developers and product teams.
• Strong communication skills to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience managing and developing team members.

Interactions

• Direct Report Title Number

N/A

• Indirect Report Title Number

N/A

• Other Internal/External Interactions

N/A

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the major responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand or walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop or bend; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Must have appropriate vision to see up close, and at a distance with ability to adjust vision and focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT. This position might require after hours and weekend work.

Travel

N/A

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in some work environments can be moderate.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

EEO Statement

Populus Financial Group is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. In compliance with applicable law, Populus Financial Group does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, pregnancy status, or any other protected classification. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotions, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.