Director, Search & Generative Visibility

We’re building a relationship-oriented bank for the modern world. We need talented, passionate professionals who are dedicated to doing what’s right for our clients.

At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute.

To learn more about CIBC, please visit CIBC.com

What you'll be doing

As Director, Search & Generative Visibility, you'll play a pivotal role within CIBC's Marketing team, reporting directly to the VP, Marketing Strategy and Client Segments. You'll lead the strategy and execution of CIBC's organic search presence across traditional search engines, AI-generated answer environments, and emerging platforms. Your expertise will help shape how millions of Canadians discover CIBC's products, services, and thought leadership—whether through Google Search, AI-powered answer engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity, or voice search experiences. You'll work in an agile operating model, collaborating with cross-functional squads to deliver impactful search and visibility outcomes. Your deep technical SEO knowledge, content strategy acumen, and forward-thinking approach will ensure CIBC remains at the forefront of search and generative visibility.

At CIBC we enable the work environment most optimal for you to thrive in your role. You'll have the flexibility to manage your work activities within a hybrid work arrangement where you'll spend 1-3 days per week on-site, while other days will be remote.

How you'll succeed

• Search Strategy Leadership – Own and evolve CIBC's enterprise SEO strategy across all digital properties, ensuring alignment with product and segment priorities.

• Technical SEO Excellence – Conduct and oversee technical SEO audits, site architecture reviews, crawlability assessments, and optimize Core Web Vitals.

• AI & Generative Visibility – Develop and implement strategies for visibility within AI-generated search experiences and answer engines, optimizing content for featured snippets, voice search, and knowledge panels.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partner with Web, Technology, UX, Content, Paid Media, Brand, Compliance, and Legal teams to embed SEO best practices and ensure all content meets regulatory and brand standards.

• Agency & Vendor Management – Serve as the primary relationship owner for external SEO agencies, leading governance cadences, evaluating performance, and ensuring deliverables are tailored to CIBC's needs.

• Agile Ways of Working – Operate effectively within CIBC's agile model, contributing to sprint planning, backlog grooming, stand-ups, and retrospectives as part of cross-functional squads.

• Reporting & Analytics – Monitor and report on organic search performance, build robust frameworks connecting search visibility to business outcomes, and benchmark agency performance against industry standards.

Who you are

• You’re a search futurist. You understand the evolving landscape of search and AI discovery, bringing innovative strategies to ensure CIBC remains highly visible and authoritative.

• You have deep technical expertise. You bring 8+ years of progressive experience in SEO, including technical, content, and off-page authority building, and are proficient with tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and Moz.

• You thrive in agile environments. You are comfortable working in iterative sprints, participating in agile ceremonies, and collaborating with cross-functional squads.

• You’re a strategic communicator. You can translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and influence across large, matrixed organizations.

• You have a regulated industry mindset. Experience in financial services, healthcare, or legal sectors is an asset, with familiarity in regulatory considerations such as FCAC, OSFI, and PIPEDA.

• Values matter to you. You bring your real self to work, and you live our values - trust, teamwork, and accountability.

#LI-TA

What CIBC Offers

At CIBC, your goals are a priority. We start with your strengths and ambitions as an employee and strive to create opportunities to tap into your potential. We aspire to give you a career, rather than just a paycheck.

• We work to recognize you in meaningful, personalized ways including a competitive salary, incentive pay, banking benefits, a benefits program*, defined benefit pension plan*, an employee share purchase plan, a vacation offering, wellbeing support, and MomentMakers, our social, points-based recognition program.

• Our spaces and technological toolkit will make it simple to bring together great minds to create innovative solutions that make a difference for our clients.

• We cultivate a culture where you can express your ambition through initiatives like Purpose Day; a paid day off dedicated for you to use to invest in your growth and development.

*Subject to plan and program terms and conditions

What you need to know

• CIBC is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact Mailbox.careers-carrieres@cibc.com

• CIBC is committed to clarity in our hiring process. All roles posted are opportunities we’re actively recruiting for, unless stated otherwise.

• You need to be legally eligible to work at the location(s) specified above and, where applicable, must have a valid work or study permit.

• We may ask you to complete an attribute-based assessment and other skills test (such as simulation, coding, French proficiency).

• We use artificial intelligence tools during the recruitment process. Our goal for the application process is to get to know more about you, all that you have to offer, and give you the opportunity to learn more about us.

Job Location

Toronto-81 Bay, 32nd Floor

Employment Type

Regular

Weekly Hours

37.5

Skills

Agile Methodology, Analytical Thinking, Campaign Development, Communication, Customer Engagement, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Leadership, Marketing Campaign Analysis, Marketing Planning, Operational Efficiency, People Management, Project Management