Assistant Editor, SEO

Responsibilities

• Lead the newsroom's SEO strategy, using audience insights, search trends, and performance data to increase readership and engagement.
• Independently identify opportunities to improve search visibility and recommend editorial strategies before, during, and after major news events.
• Partner with editors and reporters across the newsroom to incorporate SEO and audience insights into daily reporting, enterprise coverage, and breaking news.
• Produce regular search intelligence reports that inform coverage planning, identify emerging topics, and uncover audience opportunities.
• Monitor search performance, audience analytics, and key engagement metrics, translating data into actionable recommendations for newsroom leaders.
• Track competitive search landscapes and emerging news trends to identify opportunities where Globe journalism can better meet audience demand.
• Exercise independent editorial judgment in evaluating search opportunities and determining how best to position Globe journalism for maximum reach and impact.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to site structure, metadata, taxonomy, and other technical elements that influence search performance, collaborating closely with Product and Technology teams.
• Serve as the newsroom's subject matter expert on SEO, educating editors and reporters through coaching, training, and the development of best practices.
• Stay current on developments in search, including AI-powered search, generative search experiences, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and emerging audience behaviors, translating those changes into practical newsroom strategies.

Requirements

• Five or more years of experience in digital journalism, audience development, SEO, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing SEO strategies that increase audience growth and engagement for a news organization.
• Strong understanding of editorial SEO, technical SEO fundamentals, search intent, keyword research, and content optimization.
• Experience using analytics and SEO platforms such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Chartbeat, Parse.ly, SEMrush, Ahrefs, News Dashboard, or similar tools.
• Exceptional news judgment and the instinct for identifying emerging news moments and recognizing the questions audiences will ask before they become obvious, while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex audience data, draw meaningful insights, and independently develop recommendations that influence editorial strategy.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with experience influencing and coaching journalists at all levels of a newsroom.
• Understanding of AI-powered search, generative search experiences, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and the evolving search ecosystem.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom.
• Uses experimentation as a core part of decision making, testing new editorial approaches, measuring results, and rapidly incorporating successful strategies into newsroom workflows.