SEO/ GEO Specialist

We are seeking a skilled and data-driven SEO / GEO Specialist to expand organic growth and maximize digital visibility across traditional and emerging search experiences. This role blends core technical Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content strategy, and digital PR with newer approaches in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). You will lead efforts to improve rankings, engagement, and conversion by leveraging AI-powered tools, structured data, and performance-driven optimization. You possess both a strategic mindset and a hands-on tactician—utilizing creative insight with deep technical knowledge to shape how our brand is discovered and understood across organic search and generative platforms.

Requirements

Who is American College of Education

Founded in 2005, American College of Education continues to be a leader in professional development through our online programs. The mission of ACE is to deliver high-quality, affordable and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content and relevant application. Our graduates are prepared to serve, lead and achieve personal and professional goals in diverse, evolving communities. As a socially conscious institution, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring our students to do the same.

ACE is a premier organization that is continually recognized for its commitment to social responsibility. In 2016, ACE became a Certified B Corporation. As a socially conscious institution, we believe we have a responsibility to our students, alumni, employees, local communities, and society. We strive to make an impact in the world that goes well beyond our bottom line.

Who You Are

You are passionate about helping students achieve their educational goals. You thrive in a competitive and collaborative team environment. You are comfortable working remotely and have experience collaborating with others in a virtual environment. You possess a strong attention to detail.

We are seeking a skilled and data-driven SEO / GEO Specialist to expand organic growth and maximize digital visibility across traditional and emerging search experiences. This role blends core technical Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content strategy, and digital PR with newer approaches in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). You will lead efforts to improve rankings, engagement, and conversion by leveraging AI-powered tools, structured data, and performance-driven optimization. You possess both a strategic mindset and a hands-on tactician—utilizing creative insight with deep technical knowledge to shape how our brand is discovered and understood across organic search and generative platforms.

You are a strategic thinker who can merge creativity with technical proficiency, ensuring our content, website architecture, and analytics tracking align with business goals and industry best practices.

Compensation

ACE is committed to paying a competitive wage while staying true to our mission of maintaining high quality, affordable programs for our students. The starting salary range for this position is $70,000.00 plus all full-time employees are eligible for an annual bonus. Offers vary depending on education, prior experience, and expertise being applied to the role.

What We Look for in the Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrates self-reliance by meeting/exceeding workflow needs.

• Demonstrates positive attitude and motivation, concern for students, teamwork, and excellent time management skills.

• Follows established processes as outlined by organization and leadership.

• Completes assigned duties based on daily business needs and individual skill set.

• Consistently produces a high volume of quality work.

• Capable, and adapts as needed, to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

• Proven ability to work independently with limited supervision and with other department personnel.

• Must support and embrace the College’s B Corp mission to improve the people and communities we serve through our civic engagement initiatives.

• Must have exceptional communication, organization, and time management skills.

• Must be "self-motivated" as well as creative and efficient in proposing solutions to complex, time-critical problems.

• Must be collaborative in driving decisions and a team-player.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.

• Builds and maintains student satisfaction.

• Recognizes and anticipates student needs.

Day to Day Responsibilities

In this role you will wear different hats, but your skills will be especially essential in the following areas:

Search Engine Optimization & AI Integration

• Execute advanced SEO strategies with AI-enhanced tools for keyword clustering, content gap analysis, and predictive performance modeling.

• Conduct technical audits (Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, etc.) to identify and resolve crawl errors, site speed issues, and indexing challenges.

• Perform crawl log analysis to improve site architecture, crawl efficiency, and internal linking structures.

• Implement and manage structured data (schema) to maximize search engine visibility and eligibility for rich results.

• Leverage AI-driven tools to optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and on-page content at scale.

Content Strategy & Digital PR

• Develop SEO-informed content outlines and briefs that align with target keywords, user intent, and business objectives.

• These outlines and briefs will be shared with our content team for creation

• This role will handle all seo review and implementation of content once fully approved

• Collaborate with writers and editors to ensure optimized content execution.

• Lead digital PR and link-building campaigns, fostering relationships with media outlets, publishers, and influencers to secure high-quality backlinks.

Keyword Research & Analytics

• Conduct in-depth keyword research and clustering to support content creation and paid-organic channel synergy.

• Monitor search trends, competitor movements, and AI search behaviors to identify growth opportunities.

• Manage Google Tag Manager containers for SEO-related scripts, event tracking, and structured data injections.

• Use GA4, Google Search Console, and Looker Studio to monitor performance and report on SEO traffic, engagement, and ROI.

Core KPIs

• Grow organic lead volume, contributing to lower overall cost-per-enrollment (CPE).

• Improvement in user to inquiry conversion rate across all inbound sources.

• Increases in total unique users and impressions from organic and AI engines

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• 3–5+ years of professional SEO experience, with proven results in technical SEO, content optimization, and digital PR/link building.

• Proficiency in tools such as Screaming Frog, Google Search Console, Google Analytics (GA4), Google Tag Manager, SEMrush/Ahrefs, and AI optimization platforms.

• Strong understanding of crawl budget, log file analysis, and structured data implementation.

• Experience creating SEO-driven content outlines and collaborating with content teams.

• Demonstrated ability to acquire high-quality backlinks through digital PR and outreach strategies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Wordpress CMS and seo plugin experience for day-to-day content management

• Experience applying AI/ML tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Jasper, SurferSEO, Clearscope, MarketMuse, etc.) for content optimization.

• Familiarity with Python, SQL, or other scripting languages for advanced SEO analysis and automation.

• Background in higher education, B2B, or other content-rich industries.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex SEO/AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and results-driven.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Our Commitment to Employees

Just as we strive to empower our students for success, we also aim to enrich the lives of our employees. For 6 consecutive years, ACE was recognized as one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work, winning the #1 spot for medium-sized companies in 2020. In addition, ACE has earned national recognition, being named a USA Top Workplace in 2022, 2023 and 2024. As a virtual first organization, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a family-like inclusive work environment. For our full-time employees, we offer the following benefits:

• Medical, dental, & vision Insurance

• HSA and FSA options

• Paid parental leave

• Paid volunteer time

• Tuition reimbursement & reduction programs

• Generous PTO

• 401k and employer match

• Full-service wellness and EAP program

• Employee recognition and awards programs

• Employer paid life & AD&D insurance

• Short-term disability

• Employer paid long-term disability

• And more…

Physical Demands

The physical demand described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with and receive communications from students and ACE employees in real time using online and other electronic media.

Commitment to Culture

At American College of Education, we’re all about building a one-of-a-kind, supportive community where everyone—students, faculty, and staff—can thrive. Guided by our mission and values, we focus on everything from innovative curriculum design to personalized instruction and student support to intentional planning, inclusive initiatives, and strategic resource allocation. We’re dedicated to creating an environment that celebrates freedom of expression, diversity of thought, open dialogue, and mutual respect. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and wellness so that every member of our ACE family feels empowered, valued, and ready to reach their full potential. Together, we’re creating a vibrant, resilient, and connected learning community where everyone matters.

Additional Notes

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employees are increasingly integrating AI into their roles, demonstrating its potential to boost efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. By utilizing AI technologies, we can streamline processes, gain valuable insights from data, and automate routine tasks, which allows employees to concentrate on more strategic and creative aspects of their work. While AI is a beneficial tool in the workplace, if its use—such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, Copy.ai, etc.—accounts for more than 50% of any work assignments or job responsibilities, it will need to be reported to a direct leader.

Internet bandwidth speeds from an employee's remote work location must be a minimum of 50Mbps download speeds and 5Mbps upload speeds. Please note if the bandwidth is shared across multiple devices (tablets, computer, streaming, phone, etc.) you will need higher overall speeds. You can test the speed of your connection by visiting speedtest.net Purchase, setup, installation, support, and ongoing maintenance of reliable internet service is the responsibility of the individual.

American College of Education seeks to attract and retain a diverse staff consistent with its diverse student body and surrounding communities. At this time we cannot consider candidates residing in Alaska, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, South Dakota, or Alabama.

ACE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.