Pepperland Marketing is hiring: SEO Strategist in Cheshire

Job Overview

As Pepperland Marketing's SEO Strategist, you'll serve as the primary client-facing advisor for education-sector clients-including higher education, K-12, and non-traditional schools-on all things organic search. You will meet with clients weekly to translate enrollment and brand-awareness objectives into data-driven search strategies that grow qualified traffic and conversions. You'll be expected to stay ahead of industry trends and help clients position themselves for what's next-especially as traditional search gives way to AI-generated, conversational experiences like Google's AI Overviews and ChatGPT browsing responses.

Blending a developer's toolbox with a content marketer's storytelling instincts, you'll dig into fresh crawl data each day to surface indexation gaps, performance bottlenecks, and accessibility issues-then roll up your sleeves to implement code-level fixes in HubSpot CMS, WordPress, or static frameworks (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, HubL). You will lead large-scale technical audits, orchestrate site migrations, and steer AI-powered analyses that pinpoint decay and uncover new growth opportunities.

Beyond the code, you'll collaborate closely with Content Marketing Strategists to shape topic clusters, internal-linking architectures, and entity-based optimizations that cement topical authority. You'll package your findings into repeatable playbooks, mentor specialists, and position yourself-and Pepperland-as a thought leader in search, sharing insights through blogs, webinars, podcasts, and conference talks.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical SEO audits & implementation - Run deep crawl analyses (Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, etc.), surface indexation, performance, and accessibility issues, and implement or coordinate code-level fixes (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, schema, robots, XML sitemaps).
• Continuous performance analysis - Monitor GA4, Google Search Console, and rank-tracking platforms to spot decay, cannibalization, and emerging opportunities; convert insights into ranked action plans.
• Content collaboration & advisory - Partner with Content Marketing Strategists to shape topic clusters, on-page optimization, internal linking, and entity-based enhancements that strengthen topical authority and UX.
• Large-scale site audits & migrations - Lead due diligence and redirect mapping for site launches, CMS migrations, and consolidation projects, ensuring minimal traffic loss and improved technical foundations.
• Web coding & CMS integration - Build or modify templates, components, and structured-data snippets in HubSpot CMS, WordPress, or static frameworks to deploy SEO improvements directly.
• AI & automation innovation - Pilot AI-driven keyword clustering, log-file analysis, and internal-linking recommendations; document wins and roll into repeatable playbooks.
• AI search optimization - Track and test emerging AI-first search experiences (Google AI Mode, Bing Copilot, ChatGPT answers, Perplexity, etc.), optimize content for generative answer engines, and develop playbooks that secure brand visibility in conversational search results.
• Client advisory & communication - Run weekly/bi-weekly performance calls, present findings, gather feedback, and align next steps; create training collateral that evangelizes SEO best practices across enrollment, advancement, and marketing teams.
• Process & standards leadership - Document SOPs, QA checklists, and technical standards to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery; progressively delegate execution work to specialists while focusing on strategy and client growth.
• Sales enablement & new business - Join sales calls with prospects, contribute to proposal development, and help close deals by showcasing Pepperland's SEO expertise.
• Thought leadership & content - Contribute to Pepperland's blog, webinars, and podcasts; speak at industry conferences and virtual events to share best practices and generate interest in our work.
• Cross-functional collaboration - Partner closely with Enrollment Marketing, Content Marketing, Digital Advertising, and CRM & Integration Strategists-as well as designers and developers-to tightly integrate SEO with all campaigns and initiatives.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on technical and content SEO execution with verifiable results in competitive verticals; education experience preferred.
• Proficiency in front-end web technologies (HTML, CSS, native JavaScript) and comfort with Git/GitHub workflows; familiarity with HubL is a plus.
• Deep experience with enterprise-grade SEO and analytics stacks (GA4, GSC, Ahrefs, Semrush, Screaming Frog, Looker Studio, BigQuery).
• Demonstrated success developing repeatable frameworks, playbooks, or productized services.
• Proven ability to own client relationships and advise senior stakeholders.
• Stellar project-management and communication skills.
• Familiarity with HubSpot CMS, Content Hub, and Marketing Hub strongly preferred.

Location Considerations

While this is primarily a remote position, we strongly prefer candidates located within reasonable commuting distance (e.g., within approximately a 45-minute drive) of our office in Cheshire, Connecticut. You must be a resident of the state of Connecticut to be considered. The ideal candidate will be open to working onsite once or twice weekly to support in-person collaboration, team-building, and client meetings as needed.

Why Pepperland Marketing?

• Join a collaborative, creative team dedicated to transforming higher education marketing.
• Work remotely with flexibility, autonomy, and opportunities for growth.
• Contribute to meaningful projects with renowned schools, colleges and universities.
• Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Pepperland Marketing is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.