The ideal candidate will have:
1) 5 years of work experience in online marketing and/or direct SEO management
2) Advanced understanding and experience with Web Analytics
3) Experience with web copywriting
4) Proven track record in developing successful online marketing strategies to drive organic website traffic

COMPANY
Cottonwood Financial, headquartered in Irving (Las Colinas), Texas, is one of the largest privately-held financial service providers to the growing, under-banked segment of the retail consumer finance industry. Founded in 1996, we have over 280 company owned locations across the country. We are actively engaged in a high-volume, rapid retail rollout of new locations to significantly increase the footprint of our company throughout the United States in both existing and new markets. We also continue to expand our product and service offerings.

KEY COMPANY FACTS
• Named to the Inc. 500/5000 list of the fastest-growing, private companies in America for 2010
• Named to Dallas Business Journal’s “Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses” for five consecutive years
• Profitable every year since inception
• Revenues have doubled since 2004
• Company has no debt – growth funded through internal capital
• Plan to expand to 500 locations by the end of 2013
• Locations are company owned – no franchises
• Approximately 770 employees – 140+ at Corporate and 630+ in the field
• Corporate Office has 38,000 square feet

BENEFITS
Include medical (PPO or HSA), dental, vision, life, AD&D, 401(k) with company match, and a business casual work environment.

INDUSTRY
The US consumer finance industry has exploded in recent years to annual revenue of greater than $40 billion. Retail consumer finance companies, a subset of the consumer finance industry, operate primarily in the subprime portion of the market serving under-banked consumers who are seeking secured/unsecured cash loans as a low cost alternative to costly bounced-check fees, late payment penalties, and other less desirable short-term credit options.

CURRENT PRODUCT MIX
Cash Advances
Cash Advances are typically small, unsecured, short-term (until payday) cash loans of up to $2,000. These loans are usually payable in a single payment. Requirements for Cash Advances include a regular source of income, an active checking account, and valid driver’s license or state ID. To learn more about Cash Advances, please visit the Community Financial Services Association of America website at http://www.cfsa.net/about_payday_advance.html.

Title Loans
Title Loans are typically small, secured, short-term auto equity cash loans of up to $20,000. These loans are usually payable in a single payment. Requirements for a Title Loan include a regular source of income, a free and clear title, and a valid driver’s license.

Installment Loans
Installment Loans are typically small, unsecured or secured, short term cash loans of up to $2,000. These loans are repaid with a fixed number of periodic equal-sized payments. Requirements for Installment Loans include a regular source of income, an active checking account, and valid driver’s license or state ID.

SIMILAR PUBLIC COMPETITORS
Advance America
QC Financial

POSITION
The Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Sr. Analyst reports to the Director of Marketing and will be responsible for implementing and executing SEO strategies and tactics in order to increase organic website traffic and lead generation. This position requires an in-depth understanding of SEO best practices and a proven track record of exceptional traffic and visibility growth from SEO management. The SEO Sr. Analyst will also be responsible for Online Reputation Management through Social Media and Blogging.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Direct and execute SEO strategy driving increased SEO traffic and conversion
• Define, Monitor, and analyze key performance indicators (KPI’s) for continuous improvement of SEO management
• Stay abreast of new search engine optimization industry developments and incorporate into ongoing SEO management
• SEO and website design vendor management
• Develop and execute link building strategy (Internal and External)
• Develop, implement and manage Social Media marketing campaigns and Blog strategy
• Create content by routinely writing blog posts and managing social media sites to build real traffic, interest, and links back to our web properties

IDEAL CANDIDATE
• 5 years of work experience:
o Online marketing experience
o Direct SEO management
• Advanced understanding and experience with Web Analytics
• Experience with web copywriting
• Proven track record in developing successful online marketing strategies to drive organic website traffic
• Organized and analytical thought process
• Mature/professional demeanor
• Self-assured and confident
• Strong work ethic (disciplined and self-starter)
• Effective communicator
• Managing vendors and negotiating contracts

REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor’s degree
• Based in DFW area (no relocation)

COMPENSATION
Competitive salary will be based upon past experience and accomplishments and will be commensurate with experience.

CONTACT
Mike McMillin
Vice President Recruiting
Cottonwood Financial
972-753-0822 x1116
mmcmillin @ cottonwoodfinancial.com

Gillian Muessig is the President and Co-Founder of SEOmoz, the world’s most renowned and respected name in search marketing. The leading provider of SEO management applications, SEOmoz serves a community of 250k+ search marketers around the world. The SEOmoz blog is read by >50k each month.

Gillian is the recipient of the 2009 World Brand Leadership Award for her work in bringing the brand of SEOmoz from infancy to global industry-wide recognition. Her radio program, CEO Coach airs on Webmaster Radio, every Monday at 11AM Dallas time, where she covers issues entrepreneurs need to know about in order to establish and build their corporations and brand. She serves on the Board of Advisers for companies on four continents and looks forward to serving on the 2011 WBJ 40 under 40 selection committee.

Known as SEOmom throughout the industry, Gillian is known to have her hand on the pulse of the profession and has provided keynotes and sessions for conferences and seminars, including: SMX, A4UExpo, International Search Conference, OMS, IMC, TiE, Champion Group, World Brand Congress, Miva Merchant, Affiliate Convention, PubCon, and today, she will talk about building of SEOmoz as a consultancy, SEO pricing strategies, and successfully managing customer expectations.

Job Responsibilities

• Work with business contacts regarding content optimization and keyword research
• Perform hands-on optimization, including keyword/phrase research, SEO-friendly title/meta/alt
• tag and copy writing and implementation
• Implement keyword level conversion-based measurement and SEO status reports, including
• tracking positions and monitoring organic share, and understanding and integrating the
• relationship of SEO and PPC positions
• Perform analytics-based analysis to measure program progress/success
• Compile findings and provide analysis
• Write and conduct SEO briefings and training sessions as needed
• Drive and measure link-building efforts to improve SEO positions and share
• Work with business and development teams to implement improved onsite search capabilities
• Drive existing roadmap projects and propose new projects

Qualifications

Bachelors degree required, Masters degree a plus

• 3-5 years Internet Marketing experience
• 3+ years website analytics; HBX and/or Omniture Site Catalyst preferred
• Thorough knowledge of SEO conventions, tools and infrastructure
• 3-5 years hands-on experience
• Thorough knowledge of website conversion metrics and optimization techniques
• Thorough knowledge of current social media trends, capabilities and tools, with an emphasis on understanding and maximizing benefit from the relationship between search and social media
• Experience with onsite search a plus, including knowledge of conventions and infrastructure such as structured metadata, taxonomy, content optimization and late-generation software solutions
• Proficient with all major SEM tools and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Proficiency with Hitwise a plus

Application

This is an immediate opening. Please submit resume and salary history to careers@cs-creative.com and
include job title in email subject line. Or visit us online at www.cs-creative.com.

Discussion will focus on listening to your thoughts about Bing, gathering feedback and highlighting the latest SEO/SEM tips and tools available. We’ll provide the food and beverages, you bring the questions

Click here to register for the DFW SEM Bing Session