Vice President, Generative and Search Engine Optimization

Founded by Obama for America 2012 Campaign Manager and former Obama White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina, The Messina Group launched in 2013 with three people in a borrowed, windowless office and a clear set of principles: only take on fights we believe in, always have our clients’ backs, and let our victories stand for themselves. Today, TMG is a full-service strategic consulting firm working with organizations across the private, public, and social sectors. Greenbrier is our sister firm focused on public affairs and advocacy.

As search evolves, from traditional engines to AI-generated answers, overviews, and citations, we are building an in-house search optimization capability to serve clients across both firms. We are looking for a Vice President, Generative and Search Engine Optimization to lead that effort, building the tools, methodology, and team that will define how our clients show up in both traditional search results and AI-generated answers.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Practice building

• 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 all major AI search engines;
• Grow and manage a small team of GEO and SEO specialists over time; and
• Stay at the leading edge of how large language models and search engines retrieve, rank, and cite information, keyword and topical authority building and translate that into actionable practice.

Client strategy & execution

• Serve as the primary GEO and SEO advisor and as point person for deliverables to a portfolio of clients across advocacy, corporate, and public affairs contexts;
• Create and/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, but not limited to, technical SEO, website optimization/crawlability, injecting citation triggers, content placement, Wikipedia edits, and optimization of clients’ owned channels and social media profiles to build entity authority; and
• Produce clear, executive-ready deliverables including client recaps and status reports, GEO and SEO audits, scoring reports, and strategic recommendations.

Cross-firm collaboration

• 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; and
• Represent TMG’s GEO and SEO capabilities externally with clients and at industry events.

• 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 building or managing internal tools, scoring frameworks, or structured workflows; comfort with a no-code or low-code build environment is a plus;
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical GEO concepts for non-technical clients and colleagues;
• Experience advising clients or senior principals in a consulting, agency, or in-house communications environment;
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and produce high-quality deliverables in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities; and
• Familiarity with the political, advocacy, and public affairs landscape is a plus but not required.

This position is ideally based in our Washington, DC office with a hybrid schedule, though remote candidates with strong qualifications will be considered. Occasional travel may be required. This role sits across both TMG and Greenbrier.

Compensation & benefits TBD

• Salary range: $170,000 – $200,000 USD commensurate with experience, plus a discretionary, performance-based bonus.
• Healthcare (medical, dental, vision) for you and your family;
• Paid time off, federal holidays, and end-of-year break;
• Paid parental leave;
• Professional development budget;
• Gym and phone stipend; and
• 401K with employer match.

The Messina Group is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, subcontractors, and vendors. We value the array of lived experiences and inherent differences that make us unique, and we work to ensure that everyone is equitably treated and feels a sense of belonging. The Messina Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.