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Director SEO - Audience Engagement

Job ID 10145392 Location Bristol, Connecticut, United States Business ESPN Date posted Mar. 17, 2026
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Job Summary:

The Director of SEO is a senior leader within our Audience Engagement group responsible for defining and executing ESPN’s overall search and referral growth strategy across a large, fast-paced newsroom producing hundreds of pieces of content a day. This role owns organic search performance end to end—setting best practices, guiding editorial partners, and translating data into actionable insights that drive audience growth and engagement. The Director will also oversee and evolve our SEO content strategy, setting budgets and generating evergreen story ideas.

In addition to traditional search engines, the Director of SEO will oversee optimization and growth strategies across key referral platforms such as Reddit, Apple News, and other emerging distribution channels, as well as work closely with the social team to lead referral best practices. The ideal candidate combines deep SEO expertise, strong newsroom instincts, and proven people leadership. Sports happens on nights, weekends, and holidays. The SEO Director will help lead and delegate in these windows.

This role is located in our Bristol, CT office.

Responsibilities:

  • Own and evolve the organization’s SEO and referral strategy, aligned with editorial, audience, and business goals
  • Stay ahead of algorithm changes, platform updates, and industry trends, translating them into clear guidance for teams
  • Act as the senior SEO voice in cross-functional conversations with Audience Engagement, Editorial, Product, ABC News, and other business stakeholders
  • Establish and maintain SEO best practices for news, evergreen, and video content
  • Partner closely with editors to integrate SEO thinking into daily workflows without compromising editorial integrity
  • Lead optimization strategies for non-search referral platforms (e.g., Apple News, Reddit, newsletters, and other emerging sources)
  • Define success metrics and KPIs for organic search and referral traffic, delivering regular reporting on performance, trends, opportunities, and risks newsroom partners
  • Manage, mentor, and grow a team of SEO specialists and writers
  • Serve as a trusted advisor, helping teams balance speed, quality, and optimization in a breaking-news environment

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in SEO, audience development, or digital growth, preferably within a large media or content-driven organization; with a proven track record in SEO strategies for the AI age 
  • Minimum of 2 years of direct people management experience
  • Understanding of technical SEO, on-page optimization, and content strategy in a newsroom context
  • Strong experience working with analytics tools (e.g., Google Search Console, Adobe, SEMrush, or similar tools) and translating data into insights

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated success growing organic search and referral traffic at scale
  • Experience partnering cross-functionally with product teams
  • Comfort operating in a fast-changing, high-pressure news environment

Required Education:

  • High School Diploma

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in journalism, communications, or a related field


#ESPNMedia

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About ESPN:

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. That’s because we’re always finding new ways to interact with fans – however and wherever they connect with sports. Every day we’re doing things that no one has done, all in a dynamic culture where we defy odds and continuously outdo ourselves. When you have the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on your team, every day is extraordinary.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ESPN Enterprises, Inc, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

ESPN Enterprises, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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Hiring Process

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Explore this Location Bristol, CT

The Heart of Connecticut Bristol, Connecticut is just two hours from Boston and New York and just an hour from the shoreline. From the natural beauty of picturesque hills and fall foliage, to the high tech satellite dishes of ESPN, Bristol’s “City sized” with a small town vibe, offering wonderful memories no matter your pace.

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