At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEO and PPC strategies for a luxury brand, ensuring high visibility and performance.
- Company: Join the iconic Fortnum & Mason family, known for excellence in retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous discounts, 25 days holiday, and a subsidised staff restaurant.
- Why this job: Be part of a storied legacy while driving modern change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven SEO leadership experience and hands-on PPC expertise required.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal and professional growth in an inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 Β£ per year.
Join the Fortnum and Mason Family! 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
SEO & GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) Leadership
- 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: Best-in-class campaign strategy; 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
Essential Skills & Experience
- 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?
- Competitive salary
- 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
- Excellent pension scheme
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.
Head of SEO & PPC in London employer: Fortnum & Mason
Contact Detail:
Fortnum & Mason Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Head of SEO & PPC in London
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might have insights into Fortnum & Mason. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that arenβt even advertised.
β¨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your previous SEO and PPC successes. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, let your results do the talking.
β¨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on trends! The digital marketing landscape is always changing, especially with AI and LLMs. Make sure youβre clued up on the latest strategies and tools to impress during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows youβre genuinely interested in being part of the Fortnum & Mason family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of SEO & PPC in London
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of SEO & PPC role. Highlight your experience with SEO and PPC strategies, especially in premium or content-rich environments, to show us youβre the right fit.
Showcase Your Achievements: Donβt just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Include specific examples of how you've driven performance in previous roles, particularly in terms of ROI and visibility across search engines.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value creativity and passion, so share what excites you about the luxury retail space and how you can contribute to Fortnum & Masonβs legacy.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you donβt miss out on any updates regarding your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fortnum & Mason
β¨Know Your SEO & PPC Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in SEO and PPC, especially around LLM-driven search experiences. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience and how you've successfully led strategies in the past.
β¨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've effectively collaborated with different teams, like content and engineering. Highlight your communication skills and how you've managed expectations with stakeholders in previous roles.
β¨Demonstrate Your Commercial Mindset
Be prepared to talk about how your SEO and PPC strategies have directly impacted revenue. Use specific metrics or KPIs from your past experiences to illustrate your success in driving ROI and ROAS.
β¨Stay Ahead of Algorithm Changes
Familiarise yourself with recent algorithm updates and how they affect SEO and PPC. Discuss how you've adapted strategies in response to these changes, showing that you're proactive and knowledgeable about the evolving landscape.