At a Glance
- Tasks: Implement SEO and AI optimisation strategies to boost online visibility and rankings.
- Company: Join a prestigious higher education institution with a dynamic digital team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for permanent role, and hands-on experience in cutting-edge tech.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact on how a well-known institution is discovered online.
- Qualifications: Solid SEO experience and understanding of AI content optimisation.
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 in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Forwardrole
Join a prestigious higher education institution in Stoke as an SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist, where you will be at the forefront of digital innovation. With a collaborative work culture that values creativity and impact, this role offers excellent opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a significant difference in how the institution is discovered online. Enjoy a competitive salary, the potential for permanent employment, and the unique advantage of working within a dynamic team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of SEO and AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist — 12-Month Contract in Stoke-on-Trent
✨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 can bring value to their team. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace SEO & AI Optimisation Specialist — 12-Month Contract in Stoke-on-Trent
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 hear from you!
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
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully implemented SEO strategies or optimised content. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved rankings or increased traffic. This will help the interviewers see how you can bring value to their team.
✨Understand AI Optimisation
Since this role involves AI optimisation, do some research on how AI platforms surface content. Be ready to discuss how you would approach optimising for AI-generated responses. Showing that you’re ahead of the curve in this area could really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the institution's current SEO strategies and how they plan to integrate AI. This not only shows your interest in the role but also demonstrates your proactive mindset. It’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression.
