Integrated Search Specialist

Have you dreamed of a job that combines your love of the outdoors and exploring New Zealand with meaningful work? Looking to join a thriving tourism company where your skills make a real impact? Want to work in a fun, supportive environment with a team that genuinely enjoys what they do? This could be your next adventure.

Who is Wilderness?

Wilderness is a New Zealand–owned family business that’s been at the forefront of tourism for over 20 years. We rent premium motorhomes to both locals and international visitors, and we’re also the exclusive New Zealand distributor for some of Germany’s top motorhome brands.

We’re here to help our customers create unforgettable journeys across Aotearoa in beautifully crafted European motorhomes. But it’s not just about the vehicles- it’s about the experience we deliver, which our glowing reviews speak volumes about.

As our business continues to grow and set new standards in premium travel, there’s never been a better time to join the Wilderness team.

What will you do?

In this role, you will be the driving force behind our website leads through a sophisticated fusion of AI search optimisation (AEO), traditional SEO, and performance media. You aren't just managing traffic; you are leading our integrated, full-funnel search strategy to maximise brand discoverability.

Key responsibilities include:

• AI & Organic SEO Leadership: Leading our integrated search strategy to ensure our brand is discoverable across traditional search engines, conversational AI, and recommendation platforms.
• Performance Media Management: Developing and executing overarching paid search strategies to capture high-intent demand and maximise ROI.
• Technical Collaboration: Partnering with our IT team to validate tracking data accuracy and to guide technical website optimisations that ensure our site architecture meets global AEO and SEO best practices.
• Content Direction: Steering the creation of authoritative, AI-friendly content topical clusters that build brand authority in an evolving digital landscape.
• Strategic Unification: Eliminating channel cannibalisation by unifying organic, AI, and paid search into a cohesive, high-performance strategy.

What we need from you

To be successful in this role, you’ll be a digital-first marketer who thrives on the 'what’s next' of search technology. We’re looking for a strategist who doesn’t just manage rankings but understands how to use AI and search data to build brand authority, capture high-intent audiences, and turn digital discoverability into real-world adventures.

Specifically, we are looking for:

• Educational Foundation: A Bachelor’s degree in Digital Marketing, Computer Science, or a related field, ideally supplemented by technical SEO or machine learning certifications.
• Proven Expertise: 3-5+ years of experience in SEO/AEO and paid ads management, with at least 6 months specifically focused on AI-driven search environments like answer engines and AI Overviews.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of tools such as SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, Google/Meta Ads Manager, GTM, and GA4. Experience with HubpSpot would be a plus.
• AI-First Mindset: Comfort working with tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot to enhance search workflows.
• Analytical Rigor: The ability to assess market shifts and algorithm updates to provide clear, data-backed recommendations to leadership.
• Collaborative Spirit: A team player with exceptional organisational skills who can manage complex projects with many moving parts.
• Full, clean driver’s license.
• Permanent legal entitlement to work in NZ.

7 reasons why you would want to be part of our team

1. We have a strong sense of purpose - everything we do relates back to our mission and values.
2. Everyone has a passion for what they do and you can feel it.
3. You get to learn and grow in a fun and supportive environment.
4. You get to work with people from different backgrounds and all walks of life.
5. You will work with the customer service gurus in the tourism industry and have access to high performance coaching.
6. We are performance-driven and reward you for your achievements.
7. We actively encourage you to travel and explore using our motorhomes.

Caring deeply about our people comes naturally to us. That’s why we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all team members are valued, respected, and given equal opportunities. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Learn more by reading our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy at https://www.wilderness.co.nz/about-us/sustainability-promise/dei-policy.

If the above is you, apply now with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right fit for this role and why you want to join the team. Only candidates who send both documents will be considered.