Head of SEO and PPC in London

Fortnum & Mason is seeking an Interim Head of SEO & PPC to lead our organic and paid search strategy during a maternity cover period. This role will be responsible for ensuring our websites (both domestic and international) remain highly visible and authoritative across Google, Bing and emerging LLM-driven search experiences, while also delivering best-in‐class paid search performance in partnership with our external PPC agency. The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership, hands‐on expertise, and excellent stakeholder management to drive performance across one of the most iconic luxury retail brands in the world.

Role Logistics & Responsibilities

• Contract: Interim maternity cover
• Duration: 6 months
• Start: Mid-February 2026
• End: September 2026
• Location: London / Hybrid

Own and lead the SEO and GEO strategy for fortnumandmason.com and eu.fortnumandmason.com. Ensure strong visibility across:

• Google and Bing
• AI-driven search experiences (LLMs, AI Overviews, conversational search)

Drive technical, on‐page, content and authority optimisation. Partner closely with:

• Content, brand and editorial teams
• Product and engineering teams
• Our external SEO agency

Champion structured data, entity optimisation, content authority and E‐E‐A‐T principles. Monitor and respond to algorithm and LLM landscape changes.

Paid Search (PPC) Leadership

Act as senior internal owner of PPC across all markets. Lead and challenge our external PPC agency to deliver:

• Strong ROI, ROAS and incrementality
• Continuous testing and optimisation

Oversee:

• Brand and non‐brand search
• Shopping / Performance Max
• Seasonal and gifting peaks (e.g. Mother's Day and Easter)

Ensure paid activity complements SEO and brand positioning.

Commercial & Strategic Accountability

Set clear performance targets and KPIs across SEO and PPC. Own performance reporting and insight generation. Ensure search supports key trading moments and gifting occasions. Balance growth with brand protection and premium positioning.

Proven experience leading SEO at scale, ideally for a premium or content‐rich brand. Strong understanding of GEO / LLM visibility and the evolving search landscape. Hands‐on PPC expertise, with experience leading agencies. Strong commercial mindset and ability to tie activity to revenue outcomes. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Comfortable operating in a fast‐paced, seasonal retail environment.

Why Join Fortnum & Mason?

• A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%
• 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday
• A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum's ingredients
• A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally

At Fortnum's, we offer more than just a job; we provide the chance to be part of a storied legacy while driving modern, meaningful change. Expect opportunities to grow professionally in a supportive and collaborative environment where every day is extraordinary. If you're an international trading expert, with a passion for luxury and creativity, we'd love to hear from you!

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.

In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.