Interim Group Head of SEO - London

Company description

Location: London (hybrid working 3 office days per week)

Employment Type: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract (FTC)

Additional Benefits: Annual Bonus, Cash-Car Allowance & Private Medical Insurance

Think the AA is just about roadside assistance? Think again.

For over a century, we\’ve been evolving and adapting. Today, as the nation\’s leading motoring organisation, we offer a wide range of products and services to millions of customers. From roadside assistance to home and motor insurance, and the latest driving technologies, we have it all. As we continue to expand, diversify, and modernise, joining us as an Interim Group Head of SEO means you\’ll play a crucial role in our success and be part of this exciting motoring journey.

Our Chief Operating Office (COO) are the backbone of The AA, providing both stability and structure to support growth and innovation. We are the drivers of change.

#LI-Hybrid

This is the job

We’re looking for a strategic SEO leader to shape and deliver our Group-wide Organic Search strategy spanning both traditional SEO and emerging Language Engine Optimisation (LEO). You’ll lead a high-performing in-house team and agency partners to drive visibility, performance, and revenue across multiple business units, covering technical, content, and offsite SEO.

Reporting to the Director of Digital Marketing, you’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders to embed SEO best practices and align organic initiatives with commercial goals. With a strong commercial mindset and a passion for innovation, you’ll balance strategic planning with hands-on delivery using data to drive performance and future-proof our presence in an evolving AI-driven search landscape.

What will I be doing?

• Lead the development and execution of a Group-wide SEO and Language Engine Optimisation (LEO) strategy across technical, content, and offsite pillars to drive organic growth and visibility.
• Manage and mentor a high-performing SEO team and agency partners, fostering innovation, continuous improvement, and alignment with business goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, PR, Digital, and Commercial teams to embed SEO best practices and support trading objectives across multiple business units.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders, including C-suite and executive leadership, to ensure SEO initiatives are understood, prioritised, and integrated into wider digital strategies.
• Monitor industry trends, algorithm updates, and AI search evolution, translating insights into actionable strategies that future-proof organic performance.
• Oversee performance reporting, testing frameworks, and budget planning, ensuring data-led decision-making and maximised return on investment.

What do I need?

• Comprehensive SEO expertise across strategy, technical, and content optimisation, with a proven track record of delivering impactful organic growth.
• Leadership in in-house SEO environments, ideally with experience scaling teams and building high-performing functions; agency experience also valued.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and senior leadership, including C-suite.
• Experience in regulated industries, with a solid understanding of compliance, governance, and digital marketing best practices.
• Commercially minded and analytically driven, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and align SEO with broader business objectives.
• Inclusive and innovative leadership style, with a passion for continuous improvement, customer experience, and fostering a collaborative team culture.

Additional information

We’re always looking to recognise and reward our employees for the work they do. As a valued member of The AA team, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
• Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
• Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
• Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
• Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
• Company funded life assurance
• Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family

Plus, so much more!

We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.

#LI-HH