SEO Specialist III

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

The SEO Specialist III is a Team Lead level role reporting to the SEO Supervisor, helping lead a small team of organic search professionals who work together to research, analyze, strategize, report, communicate and execute on SEO for a group of clients. The Specialist III has administrative responsibilities, such as ensuring work is completed on time and following internal processes/procedures, as well as SEO execution responsibilities, focused on reviewing/analyzing KPIs, building client-facing reporting, and creating the strategy for their clients. They also mentor their team members to help them improve their SEO skills and knowledge. Specialist IIIs are further distinguished by their demonstrated professional maturity and ability to complete work, resolve blockers, and ideate solutions to critical issues without or with only limited support from leadership.

*Our ideal candidate will live in the Chicagoland area.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a small team of SEOs to provide exceptional SEO services for assigned clients, under the supervision of the Supervisor
• Inform and collaborate with Supervisor on team deliverables and performance metrics
• Assign tasks/responsibilities to team members
• Proactively monitor organic KPIs, perform analysis and deep dives of KPIs/issues, and translate findings into actionable SEO strategies and reporting
• Create monthly reporting for clients that explain the strategy, reasoning, and impact
• Communicate directly with clients; serve as a point of escalation for clients
• Mentor other SEOs to help improve their skill and knowledge
• Work with clients to understand their needs and goals, and create SEO strategies to support them
• Assist with other SEO task work as needed

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Superior client communication/customer service skills (oral and written)

Technical SEO:

• Ability to run technical SEO audits and resolve common technical SEO issues
• Ability to use technical SEO knowledge/principles to shape client strategy/impact client’s goals

Local SEO

• Understanding of how directory citations impact local SEO and experience with NAP best practices
• Understanding of Google Business Profile (formerly GMB) optimization best practices

On-Page SEO:

• A clear understanding of internal linking best practices, technical on-page element optimization best practices, and content optimization best practices

Content Strategy:

• Strong understanding of how to translate client goals and research data into actionable content strategy

Strategy Creation:

• Demonstrated skill in creating customized SEO strategy plans that use GA, GSC, Semrush, etc. data to create a unique strategy that drives results for clients

Leadership

• Must be able to work effectively with others and be excited by the idea of helping others improve their skills

Critical Thinking

• Must be a strong critical thinker - able to apply various SEO concepts to real-life scenarios in order to create strategies and solve problems
• Must be able to actively listen/observe and contextualize information in real-time, and engage in SEO strategy conversations with clients taking information into account

Analysis

• Must be able to use SEO tools to gather performance data
• Must be able to perform deep dives on client performance, using data to identify and understand positive and negative trends.

• Expertise in Yoast, Semrush, MozLocal, Google Analytics, Google Search, Google Analytics, or comparable SEO tools
• Experience in/interest in the automotive industry is a plus!
• Experience with WordPress-based websites preferred #LI-EJ

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.

Salary Range

$73,000.00-89,450.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

For US-based Positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Applicants: Click here to review our Privacy Policy for Applicants. For current employees, please click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Employees.