Director Search Engine Optimization

Pesty Marketing (a division of Bananas Marketing) is one of the fastest-growing pest control–focused marketing agencies in the U.S., partnering with leading pest control brands to generate millions in recurring revenue. We’re now building out our fulfillment organization and hiring an SEO Director to architect our search strategy and lead our delivery team from the ground up.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a foundational leadership role where you’ll design the "Pesty Playbook" for organic growth. You will be handed the keys to our cutting-edge tech stack, with the autonomy to innovate, hire your own team, and drive the future of our product.

Mission

Own the strategic direction and performance of all client SEO campaigns. You will evolve our service offering from standard execution to industry-leading dominance, specifically by pioneering our programmatic, API-driven, and AI-optimized content strategies to dominate local search markets at scale.

Key Outcomes (First 12–24 Months)

• Scale Programmatic & AI SEO: Take ownership of our cutting-edge programmatic engine. You will shape and deploy API-driven content strategies to generate thousands of hyper-local landing pages, leveraging LLMs to ensure content is unique, helpful, and scalable.
• Optimize for the Future of Search: Lead the charge on optimizing client visibility for AI Overviews (SGE) and LLM-based answers. You will ensure our pest control clients are the "cited source" when AI answers local queries.
• Build & Lead the Team: You aren't just managing existing staff; you are building the department. You will scout, hire, and train a high-performance team of SEO analysts and content specialists to execute your vision.
• Systematize the Operation: Build and document a scalable SOP framework that allows us to onboard 10+ new accounts a month without quality dipping or "breaking" the fulfillment side.
• Own Retention & Growth: Maintain a 95%+ client retention rate on SEO services by proving ROI through clear reporting and regular strategy reviews.

Requirements

Core Experience

• 5+ years in Agency SEO roles, with at least 2 years in a leadership or strategy-lead position.
• Technical & Programmatic Mastery: You understand how to scale SEO. You are comfortable with concepts like pSEO, database-driven content, and using APIs to enrich page value.
• AI & LLM Fluency: You aren't scared of AI; you use it daily. You understand prompt engineering, how to use LLMs for content workflows, and how to optimize brand entities for AI search engines.
• Mastery of Local SEO: Deep expertise in Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization and citation management (crucial for Pest Control).
• Leadership Experience: Proven track record of hiring, training, and managing a team. You know how to delegate without losing quality control.

Competencies (How You Operate)

• Innovation First: You don't just rely on "standard" SEO practices. You get excited about using data, AI, and tech to do what competitors can't.
• Strategic Architect: You don't just follow checklists; you analyze the competitive landscape and build custom roadmaps.
• Data Storyteller: You can explain complex SEO concepts (and why we are using programmatic/AI strategies) to non-technical business owners.
• Process Obsessed: You hate inefficiency and constantly look for ways to automate reporting and streamline audits.
• Problem Solver: When a core update hits or rankings drop, you don’t panic—you investigate and pivot.

Bonus Experience

• Experience with tools like WP All Import, PageGenerator Pro, or custom Python/API scripts.
• Existing network in the SEO or Home Services community to help with recruiting.
• Proficiency with BrightLocal, Ahrefs, Semrush, and GSC.

This Role is NOT for You If…

• You fear automation: If you believe every single page must be manually hand-written and refuse to embrace data-driven/AI content scaling, this won't work.
• You are purely "theory": You haven't logged into a CMS or fixed a broken link in years. We need a player-coach who can teach the team by doing.
• You hide behind vanity metrics: If you report on "impressions" rather than "leads/calls," we aren't a fit.

Benefits

Fortune (Compensation & Growth)

• Base range of $110–140K (Adjust based on your experience).
• Profit Sharing: Quarterly profit-sharing bonuses based on department efficiency and company growth.
• Performance incentives tied to client retention and portfolio performance.

Fit (Career Path)

• Advancement into VP of Operations or Chief Strategy Officer.
• Direct mentorship from executives and professional development investment.
• Build industry authority through LinkedIn, case studies, and national conferences.

Freedom (How You Work)

• Remote-first, flexible work environment.
• Travel opportunities for conferences, networking, and client meetings.
• Autonomy to choose the tech stack and design the fulfillment process.

Family (Support & Belonging)

• Entrepreneurial, team-first culture.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Unlimited PTO with a 2-week mandatory minimum.

Fun (Culture & Energy)

• Join a fast-scaling, energetic team.
• Celebrate big wins, share bold ideas, and shape Pesty’s future.