Hi, I'm Christian McIlwain, a strategic marketing professional with over a decade of experience in creating comprehensive marketing and SEO initiatives. I specialize in boosting search rankings, increasing organic traffic, and maximizing conversions. I enjoy analyzing data to gain insights and making strategic recommendations that help businesses grow. Throughout my career, I've worked closely with various teams including UX, content, and paid media to align strategies and optimize digital marketing efforts. I have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge, often delivering SEO education and strategy sessions to keep stakeholders updated on the latest search engine guidelines and trends.

Christian McIlwain

Hi, I'm Christian McIlwain, a strategic marketing professional with over a decade of experience in creating comprehensive marketing and SEO initiatives. I specialize in boosting search rankings, increasing organic traffic, and maximizing conversions. I enjoy analyzing data to gain insights and making strategic recommendations that help businesses grow. Throughout my career, I've worked closely with various teams including UX, content, and paid media to align strategies and optimize digital marketing efforts. I have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge, often delivering SEO education and strategy sessions to keep stakeholders updated on the latest search engine guidelines and trends.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Christian McIlwain, a strategic marketing professional with over a decade of experience in creating comprehensive marketing and SEO initiatives. I specialize in boosting search rankings, increasing organic traffic, and maximizing conversions. I enjoy analyzing data to gain insights and making strategic recommendations that help businesses grow.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with various teams including UX, content, and paid media to align strategies and optimize digital marketing efforts. I have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge, often delivering SEO education and strategy sessions to keep stakeholders updated on the latest search engine guidelines and trends.

See more

Experience Level

Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
See more

Work Experience

SEO Manager (6-Month Contract) at Bounteous
December 31, 2024 - July 29, 2025
Conducted in-depth keyword research and competitor analysis to inform content optimization and identify organic growth opportunities. Performed technical SEO audits using Google Search Console, SEMrush, and Screaming Frog, identifying 45+ critical SEO issues per site on average.
Senior SEO Analyst at Fahlgren Mortine
April 30, 2024 - July 29, 2025
Executed on-page and off-page SEO best practices to improve organic visibility and site performance. Created metadata frameworks and optimized site taxonomies to strengthen keyword targeting and content discoverability. Delivered client SEO education and strategy sessions, helping internal and external stakeholders stay up to date with search engine guidelines and algorithm updates.
Senior Associate, SEO & Data Intelligence at Edelman
October 31, 2022 - July 29, 2025
Spearheaded SEO initiatives for enterprise clients, leading strategy for 10+ campaigns that increased visibility by 51% and CTR by 13%. Acted as a key partner with UX, content, and paid media teams to ensure full alignment and execution of organic search strategy. Oversaw technical optimization projects that reduced mobile load times by 42%, supporting higher engagement and conversion rates. Tracked sales and conversion metrics tied to SEO performance and delivered reporting dashboards that drove strategic decision-making and recommendations using Google Analytics and BrightEdge. Developed and managed SEO content calendars, aligning content with seasonal trends, search demand, and business objectives.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at Slippery Rock University
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013

Qualifications

Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Semrush for Digital Agencies
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Industry Experience

Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Retail