Managing Partner - Search Product and Innovation in London

This role leads SEO Product & Innovation, shaping dentsu’s future-facing Search proposition across SEO, LLMs, AI, automation, content, technical SEO and wider Search capabilities. It is responsible for turning specialist expertise into scalable products, tools, frameworks and delivery models that improve client performance, drive adoption across teams, and keep dentsu ahead of market and platform change. The role also leads the Total Search Specialism team, supports key clients and new business, and helps build a more connected Total Search offering across SEO, Paid Search and adjacent disciplines.

About the Team

The SEO and Creative Experience team within dentsu is a global, award-winning marketing practice that delivers performance, growth and innovation for some of the world’s most recognised brands. Operating at the intersection of Search, Content, Experience, Data and Technology, the team plays a critical role in helping clients navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.

As Search continues to evolve through AI-powered discovery, large language models (LLMs), conversational interfaces, automation and shifting consumer behaviours, dentsu is committed to building a market-leading Total Search proposition that connects paid, organic and emerging Search experiences. The Search Product & Innovation function sits at the forefront of this transformation, shaping the future direction of Search across the business and ensuring dentsu remains at the leading edge of client performance, innovation and product development.

Purpose of the Role

The Managing Partner, Search Product & Innovation is responsible for defining and leading dentsu’s future-facing Search proposition, driving innovation across SEO, AI-powered Search, LLM optimisation, automation, content strategy, technical SEO and emerging Search technologies. This role combines product leadership, innovation strategy, commercial growth and specialist capability development to ensure dentsu remains ahead of market change and continues to deliver differentiated value for clients.

As a senior leader within the Search practice, the Managing Partner will transform specialist expertise into scalable products, solutions, frameworks, methodologies and delivery models that can be deployed consistently across clients and markets. Working closely with senior leaders across SEO, Paid Search, Analytics, Content, Experience and Media, the role will create stronger alignment across the broader Total Search ecosystem while shaping the next generation of Search services and capabilities. The role will also provide leadership to the Total Search Specialism Team, driving capability development, community engagement, innovation adoption and industry-leading standards across the practice.

Product & Proposition Leadership

• Define and own the strategic roadmap for Search Product & Innovation across Dentsu.
• Lead the evolution of the agency’s Total Search proposition, ensuring it remains differentiated, commercially viable and future-focused.
• Develop scalable products, methodologies, frameworks and service offerings that create value for clients and drive operational excellence.
• Translate emerging trends and technologies into practical solutions that can be adopted across teams and markets.
• Establish governance and standards for innovation adoption across the Search practice.
• Partner with regional and global stakeholders to ensure product development aligns to broader business priorities.

Innovation & Emerging Technology

• Act as Dentsu’s senior authority on emerging Search technologies, including AI-powered Search, Generative AI, LLM optimisation, automation, retrieval-based experiences and evolving search behaviours.
• Identify opportunities to enhance client performance through innovation and experimentation.
• Lead pilots, proof-of-concepts and innovation programmes that test new technologies and delivery models.
• Evaluate industry developments and anticipate how changes to platforms, algorithms and consumer behaviour may impact clients.
• Drive adoption of innovative solutions at scale across the business.

Total Search Leadership

• Lead and develop the Total Search Specialism Team.
• Foster collaboration between SEO, Paid Search, Content, Data, Experience and Analytics teams.
• Create a culture of innovation, knowledge sharing and continuous capability development.
• Support the development of future leaders and specialist talent across the Search practice.
• Ensure teams have access to best-in-class tools, methodologies and learning frameworks.

Commercial Growth & Business Development

• Drive the commercial growth of the Search practice through innovative product development and proposition enhancement.
• Identify opportunities to create new revenue streams and scalable service offerings.
• Support major pitches, strategic opportunities and business development initiatives.
• Partner with client leadership teams to expand Dentsu’s role within existing clients.
• Build commercial business cases for investment in emerging Search capabilities.

Strategic Client Leadership

• Act as a senior strategic advisor to key clients on the future of Search and digital discovery.
• Support high-profile client engagements, providing thought leadership and specialist expertise.
• Partner with client teams to identify growth opportunities through innovation-led Search strategies.
• Provide executive-level consultation on emerging technologies and evolving Search ecosystems.
• Help clients navigate transformation across organic, paid and AI-driven Search environments.

Thought Leadership & Industry Influence

• Represent Dentsu externally through speaking engagements, industry events, publications and thought leadership.
• Build Dentsu’s profile as an industry leader across Search and innovation.
• Contribute to award submissions, market reports, research initiatives and industry partnerships.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with technology partners, platforms and industry bodies.
• Act as a visible ambassador for both the Search practice and Dentsu’s broader innovation agenda.

Professional Skills

• Deep expertise across Search, SEO, Content, Digital Performance and emerging Search technologies.
• Strong understanding of AI, Generative AI, LLMs, automation and their application within modern Search ecosystems.
• Proven ability to develop products, propositions, frameworks and scalable service offerings.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience driving growth, profitability and business performance.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and innovation leadership capabilities.
• Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across complex matrix organisations.
• Strong people leadership experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, storytelling and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills combined with a passion for innovation and change.

Outputs

• A market-leading Search Product & Innovation roadmap.
• Increased adoption of innovative Search capabilities across Dentsu.
• Creation of scalable products, services and frameworks that drive client performance.
• Growth in Search-related revenue, client retention and business development opportunities.
• Stronger integration across SEO, Paid Search and wider Search disciplines.
• Enhanced industry recognition and thought leadership credentials.
• A highly engaged, connected and future-ready Total Search community.
• Measurable commercial and client impact through innovation-led Search solutions.

Essential Experience

• Significant leadership experience within Search, SEO, Digital Performance, Product or Innovation functions.
• Demonstrated success defining and scaling products, propositions or specialist service offerings.
• Deep expertise across SEO, Technical SEO, Content Strategy and broader Search ecosystems.
• Experience leading innovation programmes involving AI, automation, Generative AI or emerging technologies.
• Proven track record of driving commercial growth through proposition development and innovation.
• Experience leading and developing specialist communities or high-performing teams.
• Strong background supporting strategic clients, senior stakeholders and complex business challenges.
• Experience leading or contributing to major new business opportunities and pitches.
• Established industry profile with evidence of thought leadership and market influence.

What we offer

This is a permanent role. This is a hybrid working role with the expectation that you will be in our Manchester office 2 times a week. As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.

Inclusion and Diversity

At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners, and communities. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Beyond recruitment, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We recognize the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements for all roles. If you need reasonable adjustments due to a disability or medical condition during our recruitment process, please contact us, quoting the reference number of the role that you are applying for. Your needs will be handled with respect and confidentiality to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.

About Dentsu

Taking a people-centered approach to business transformation, we use insights to connect brand, content, commerce and experience, underpinned by modern creativity. As part of Dentsu Group Inc. we are headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and our 65,000 employee-base of dedicated professionals work across four regions (Japan, Americas, EMEA and APAC). Dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society. Diversity, equity, and inclusion sits at the heart of our Social Impact strategy – our fully integrated sustainability strategy which includes our ambition to build a fair and more equal society, where everyone is equipped to thrive.