Local SEO & Generative Search (GEO) Manager - Enterprise Multi-Location

Temporary full-time hybrid role in San Diego, CA (3 days onsite per week). Estimated duration: 19 months. Hourly rate: $60–$70.

About the Role

We are seeking a Local Search Manager with deep SEO and AI search expertise to own and scale the local SEO and generative search (GEO) strategy for 600+ physical store locations. This high-visibility role sits at the intersection of local search and the rapidly evolving AI-driven discovery landscape. You will serve as the primary administrator and internal subject-matter expert for our enterprise local management platform, driving both day-to-day operations and the long-term strategic roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a scalable local syndication strategy supporting 600+ physical locations.
• Optimize performance across Google Search, Google Maps, Apple Maps, and AI-driven search experiences (e.g., AI Overviews and generative search platforms).
• Ensure scalable page templates align with both local search and AI-driven content interpretation.
• Analyze performance data across Google Search Console, GBP Insights, and third-party platforms to identify trends, risks, and growth opportunities.
• Develop executive-ready reporting and deliver strategic insights to leadership.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, analytics, and marketing teams.
• Manage strategy and vendor escalations as primary platform administrator and internal subject-matter expert for all syndication questions.
• Ensure accurate, high-performing listings across major directories including Google Business Profile, Yelp, Apple Maps, and other key local discovery platforms.
• Optimize listing-level content—naming conventions, descriptions, attributes, and category data—and manage local citations across directory and publisher platforms, ensuring NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency to strengthen ranking and conversion signals.
• Serve as point of contact for our internal API pipeline; triage data discrepancies and coordinate engineering involvement to keep profile and location data flowing accurately.
• Drive Google Maps and Local Pack performance for highly competitive commercial keywords by managing listing completeness, photo coverage, review velocity, and local ranking signals within Yext.
• Use Yext Scout to monitor how store locations are cited across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AIO; identify visibility gaps and action prioritized recommendations to improve citation rates.
• Conduct ongoing local rank tracking, content gap analysis, and competitive citation and backlink audits to identify ranking opportunities.
• Execute local backlink acquisition campaigns and authority-building initiatives to strengthen Local Pack, Google Maps, and AI search rankings.
• Collaborate with the broader SEO/GEO team on local search strategy and initiatives spanning data quality and AI search performance.
• Support strategy and optimization for expert and location pages—including on-page SEO, internal linking, structured data (Local Business schema), and indexation best practices.
• Manage store and expert photo procurement and distribution into Yext and publisher platforms to meet quality and completeness standards.
• Maintain reporting on listing health, data completeness, publisher sync status, and review metrics; serve as escalation point for licensed-to-operate locations experiencing syndication issues.

Requirements

• 5+ years of SEO experience, with a proven track record managing enterprise-level local SEO programs.
• Experience managing local SEO for organizations with 100+ locations (required).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions that improve SEO performance.
• Experience using enterprise local management platforms such as Yext, Moz Local, or BrightLocal, or similar tools.
• Experience with AI-driven search or generative engine optimization.

Qualifications

• Direct experience administering Yext at enterprise scale, including syndication, API pipelines, and Yext Scout.
• Hands-on experience optimizing for generative search surfaces (AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity).
• Experience in an enterprise-scale organization.
• Proven experience developing executive-ready reporting and delivering strategic insights to leadership.

Skills

• Must Have: AI, Data Analysis, Search Engine Marketing, SEO.
• Nice to Have: API, ChatGPT, Reporting.

Pay

Hourly rate: $60–$70.

Schedule

Standard business hours. Hybrid work model: 3 days onsite per week.