Associate Director, SEO & Agency Growth · Cambridge, MA

Nick
Valiton

Helping brands get found, and cited, as search shifts from blue links to AI answers. I lead AI search strategy and measurement across AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and the next generation of answer engines.

Nick Valiton

Strategist. Marketer.
Builder.

I'm a search marketer with 6+ years of experience helping enterprise clients and growing brands earn visibility in an increasingly AI-driven search landscape. My work sits at the crossroads of strategy, content, and data, translating complex signals into clear paths to growth.

Currently serving as Associate Director of SEO & Agency Growth at Synapse SEM in Boston, where I partner with the agency founder to drive new business across SEO, PPC, and Social, while leading a team of analysts and directing strategy for 12+ clients. Much of my focus is on AI search: helping clients understand, measure, and win visibility in AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and other answer engines. I've also written two industry eBooks on the role of AI in SEO, because understanding what's changing matters as much as executing on it.

Outside of work, I volunteer on the Executive Board of the Heart of New England Council, Scouting America, and spend my time on the things that keep me grounded. More on that below.

6+
Years in SEO & digital strategy
12+
Active client accounts managed
+20%
Revenue growth, net new agency business
+25%
Revenue growth from existing clients

Where I've worked

2023 – Present
Synapse SEM
Boston, MA
Associate Director, SEO & Agency Growth

Promoted to lead SEO & AI Search strategy and agency growth, partnering directly with the founder to drive revenue and sign new clients across SEO, AEO, PPC, and Social. Direct SEO & AI Search strategy for 12+ clients, leading a team of 6 analysts. Improved client page 1 rankings by 108% YoY. Developed a YouTube SEO service driving $8k+ in incremental MRR. Built and standardized Looker Studio reporting dashboards across SEO, PPC, and AI Search. Authored two eBooks on AI in SEO and rolled out integrated AI/SEO services with an average +25% revenue upsell.

Business Development AI Search Content Strategy Team Leadership Looker Studio Local SEO
2025 – Present
Heart of New England Council, Scouting America
Rutland, MA
VP of Marketing & Communications

Executive Board Member and Alumni Association Chair. Leading strategic marketing and internal communications for central Massachusetts Scouting programs. Managing a 5-member committee executing cross-channel campaigns targeting 10% YoY membership growth.

Nonprofit Marketing Board Leadership Community Engagement
2019 – 2023
Digitas
Boston, MA
Intern → Analyst → Senior Analyst

Led SEO strategy and audits for 3+ enterprise clients. Secured $200k in agency revenue by developing an SEO scope proposal for a global vitamin brand. Selected to represent the agency in the 2022 Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies Program.

Enterprise SEO Technical Audits Business Development Stakeholder Presentations

Built from scratch

Side Project · Ongoing

Lighthouse New England

A passion project born from years of photographing New England lighthouses. I built and manage lighthousenewengland.com, a resource for lighthouse history, photography, and travel across the six-state region. Equal parts hobby and proof of concept for the SEO and content principles I apply professionally.

Visit the site ↗
Lighthouse New England website screenshot

What keeps me grounded

The best ideas rarely show up at a desk. When I'm not working, you'll usually find me outside, working with my hands, or chasing a better round.

01

Camping

A lifelong Scout at heart, happiest with a pack on and a trail ahead. Long weekends in the White Mountains and across New England's backcountry.

02

Bonsai

An exercise in patience and the long view. Tending bonsai is slow, deliberate work: equal parts horticulture and restraint.

03

Guitar

Six strings and a quiet evening. Playing guitar is how I step away from screens and reset.

04

Golf

A standing excuse to be outside and a little competitive. Always chasing a better round, and a quieter back nine.

Let's talk

Whether you have a project in mind, a question about SEO or AI search, or just want to connect.