Vice President, Generative and Search Engine Optimization

Fortius Global•Washington, DC

91d•$170,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President, Generative and Search Engine Optimization will build and lead an in-house GEO and SEO capability serving clients across The Messina Group (TMG) and Greenbrier. The role will develop the practice’s methodology, scoring frameworks, tools, workflows, and team, while helping clients improve visibility in traditional search results and AI-generated answers. The position combines practice building and business development with client strategy and hands-on execution across advocacy, corporate, and public affairs contexts. The Vice President will advise a portfolio of clients, assess and improve content and communications for search visibility and AI extractability, and work with communications and digital teams to turn findings into practical messaging, content, and publishing strategies. The role also involves training colleagues, collaborating across both firms, and representing TMG’s GEO and SEO capabilities with clients and at industry events. The position is ideally based in the Washington, DC office with a hybrid schedule; remote candidates with strong qualifications will be considered. Occasional travel may be required. The role sits across TMG and Greenbrier. Salary is $170,000–$200,000 USD, commensurate with experience, plus a discretionary performance-based bonus.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience in SEO/GEO, content strategy, digital communications, or a related discipline, with meaningful recent focus on AI search and generative engine optimization.
Deep understanding of how search engines and LLMs retrieve and cite information, and how content structure, authority signals, technical SEO factors, and entity clarity affect search and AI visibility.
Experience advising clients or senior principals in a consulting, agency, or in-house communications environment.
Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical GEO concepts to non-technical clients and colleagues.
Demonstrated ability to manage projects and produce high-quality deliverables in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience building or managing internal tools, scoring frameworks, or structured workflows; comfort with a no-code or low-code build environment is a plus.
Familiarity with the political, advocacy, and public affairs landscape is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Build and own TMG and Greenbrier’s GEO and SEO methodology, scoring frameworks, and internal tooling.
Lead end-to-end business development for GEO and SEO services, including lead generation, pipeline management, and deal closings.
Develop repeatable workflows for auditing, optimizing, and measuring content performance across traditional search engines and major AI search engines.
Grow and manage a small team of GEO and SEO specialists over time.
Stay current on how large language models and search engines retrieve, rank, and cite information, as well as keyword and topical authority building, and translate developments into actionable practice.
Serve as the primary GEO and SEO advisor and point person for deliverables for a portfolio of clients across advocacy, corporate, and public affairs contexts.
Create or audit client content and communications for search visibility, AI extractability, citation readiness, and entity visibility.
Partner with communications and digital teams to translate GEO and SEO insights into revised messaging, content structures, and publishing strategies.
Directly implement recommended strategies, including technical SEO, website optimization and crawlability, citation triggers, content placement, Wikipedia edits, and optimization of clients’ owned channels and social media profiles to build entity authority.
Produce executive-ready client recaps and status reports, GEO and SEO audits, scoring reports, and strategic recommendations.
Work across TMG and Greenbrier teams to embed GEO and SEO thinking into client communications programs.
Train and upskill colleagues on GEO and SEO fundamentals and best practices.
Represent TMG’s GEO and SEO capabilities externally with clients and at industry events.