At a Glance
- Tasks: Implement SEO and AI strategies to boost online visibility and rankings.
- Company: Join a prestigious higher education institution's innovative digital team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for permanent role, and hands-on experience.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a cutting-edge environment.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact in the exciting intersection of SEO and AI.
- Qualifications: Hands-on SEO experience and strong collaboration skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 38000 £ per year.
Forward Role are excited to be partnering with a prestigious higher education institution, as they look to recruit an SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist to join their in-house digital team. This is a genuinely exciting, long term contract at the cutting edge of where search and AI are heading, and a real opportunity to make a visible, measurable impact on how a well-known institution is discovered online. There is potential for this role to be made permanent.
The role is a hands-on delivery role sitting at the heart of the digital team, acting as the operational bridge between strategy and execution. Working closely with an external agency, you'll take audit findings and strategic recommendations and turn them into real outcomes — spanning technical SEO, content optimisation, and authority development. Crucially, this role also covers AI optimisation — how the institution appears in AI-generated responses and summaries.
What the role involves:
- Implementing SEO and AI optimisation recommendations from agency audits and action plans
- Improving rankings and visibility for priority course, subject, and destination-related searches
- Optimising technical SEO including site structure, crawlability, performance, and metadata
- Identifying and delivering content improvements aligned to search intent
- Enhancing how the institution is represented in AI-generated answers and summaries
- Optimising content for clarity, authority, and answerability across the website
- Supporting activity to improve domain authority and strengthen the backlink profile
- Acting as the key link between the agency, web, content, and marketing teams
- Monitoring the impact of changes on search rankings, traffic, and AI platform visibility
- Supporting faster implementation of high-impact changes during critical recruitment periods such as Clearing
What we're looking for:
Essential:
- Solid hands-on SEO experience, covering both technical and content-led optimisation
- Understanding of how AI platforms surface and cite content, and how to optimise for them
- Experience working within a CMS to deploy website updates
- Ability to translate strategic recommendations into practical, delivered outcomes
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
- A data-driven approach to performance monitoring and continuous improvement
Nice to have:
- Experience working in higher education or a similarly complex organisation
- Familiarity with tools such as GA4, Google Search Console, and SEO platforms
- Experience working alongside or managing external agencies
- Knowledge of backlink development and domain authority building
SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist — 12-Month Contract employer: Forwardrole
Join a prestigious higher education institution as an SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist and be part of a dynamic digital team that values innovation and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact in the evolving fields of SEO and AI, all while enjoying a supportive work culture in Stoke. Benefit from a competitive salary, potential for permanent placement, and the opportunity to work at the forefront of digital marketing in a respected academic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist — 12-Month Contract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your SEO and AI optimisation projects. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to SEO and AI. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how you've tackled challenges in these areas.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We regularly update our listings, and applying directly can give you a better chance of landing that dream role. Keep an eye out for new opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist — 12-Month Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist role. Highlight your hands-on SEO experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about SEO and AI optimisation, and how you can make a measurable impact. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a bit of personality!
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role is data-driven, be sure to mention any experience you have with performance monitoring tools like GA4 or Google Search Console. We want to know how you use data to drive decisions and improvements!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forwardrole
✨Know Your SEO Basics
Make sure you brush up on your SEO knowledge before the interview. Understand key concepts like technical SEO, content optimisation, and how AI impacts search visibility. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the terms but can also apply them practically.
✨Showcase Your Experience with AI
Since this role involves AI optimisation, be prepared to discuss any relevant experience you have in this area. Share specific examples of how you've optimised content for AI platforms or improved visibility in AI-generated responses. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate this cutting-edge space.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their current SEO strategies, the tools they use, and how they measure success. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Highlight Collaboration Skills
This position requires strong collaboration with various teams and external agencies. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked with others in the past. Emphasising your teamwork skills will reassure them that you can effectively bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
