At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEO and content strategies for Hard Rock Digital's online platforms.
- Company: Join Hard Rock Digital, a leader in gaming and entertainment, transforming the digital landscape.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible vacation, hybrid work, and a vibrant startup culture.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values authenticity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of SEO in a dynamic industry and influence company growth.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in SEO with leadership experience; strong technical and editorial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
What are we building? Hard Rock Digital is a team focused on becoming the best online sportsbook, casino, and social gaming company in the world. We’re building a team that resonates passion for learning, operating, and building new products and technologies for millions of consumers. We care about each customer interaction, experience, behaviour, and insight and strive to ensure we’re always acting authentically. Rooted in the kindred spirits of Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the new Hard Rock Digital taps a brand known the world over as the leader in gaming, entertainment, and hospitality. We’re taking that foundation of success and bringing it to the digital space — ready to join us?
What’s the position? Hard Rock Digital is looking for a Vice President of SEO & GEO who is equal parts strategist and operator. This is a leadership role reporting directly to the President, carrying full accountability for how Hard Rock Digital is found, read, and ranked — by humans and by machines. You will be responsible for leading the team vision and determining where we invest our time and resources to build a lasting content marketing strategy that stays ahead of one of the most competitive industries in the country.
We are looking for someone who has strong tactical opinions about technical SEO hygiene and can also present a content investment thesis to the executive team. You'll build and lead a team, but you'll also get your hands dirty — writing briefs, reviewing technical audits, and staying ahead of how Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and whatever comes next are changing the search landscape.
What You'll Own
- Search Engine Optimization - Lead all SEO strategy and execution across Hard Rock Digital's portfolio — sportsbook, casino, and ancillary products — spanning every active and upcoming market. You'll set the keyword strategy, own the content hierarchy, and drive ranking performance from launch through maturity in each market.
- Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) - Own Hard Rock Digital's strategy for visibility in AI-powered search surfaces — including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and emerging answer engines. This means building the frameworks, content structures, and entity strategies that ensure HRD is cited, surfaced, and trusted as AI search becomes the dominant discovery channel.
- Content Strategy - Define and execute content strategies across web and mobile that serve both user intent and algorithmic performance. You'll lead editorial direction, content calendar ownership, and quality standards — ensuring every page we publish earns its place.
- Media Partnerships, Affiliates & Influencers - Bring a search-informed perspective to external content channels. You'll have meaningful influence over affiliate strategy, media partnerships, and influencer content — ensuring these channels amplify organic authority. You'll collaborate closely with business development and marketing to align external partnerships with content and SEO goals.
- Technical SEO & Domain Strategy - Own the technical SEO roadmap in partnership with Engineering and Product. This includes site architecture, crawlability, Core Web Vitals, structured data, hreflang, and domain strategy across a multi-state, multi-product environment. You'll be the voice of SEO throughout the product development process.
What We're Looking For
- 10+ years in SEO with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role managing cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated experience in a high-volume, multi-market environment — regulated industries (gaming, sports betting, finance, healthcare) a strong plus
- Hands-on experience with GEO / AI search visibility
- Proven track record growing organic traffic and rankings at scale, including in competitive, content-heavy verticals
Skills & Mindset
- Equally comfortable writing a content brief and presenting a board-level strategy
- Deep technical SEO knowledge — you can read a crawl report, diagnose a Core Web Vitals issue, and write a schema markup spec
- Strong editorial instincts — you know what good content looks like and why it ranks
- Data-driven: you build dashboards, track the right KPIs, and make decisions with evidence
- Genuinely excited about AI search and what it means for the industry
- Collaborative leader who earns trust across Engineering, Product, and Marketing
- High sense of urgency; you move fast and expect the same from your team
Why This Role
- Report directly to the President with genuine organizational influence
- Build and shape an SEO and content function at a pivotal moment in the company's growth
- Operate at the intersection of two of the most dynamic shifts in digital marketing — regulated gaming expansion and the AI search transition
- Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and the Hard Rock brand behind you
What’s in it for you?
We offer our employees more than just competitive compensation. Our team benefits include:
- Competitive pay and benefits
- Flexible vacation allowance
- A hybrid / remote working environment
- Startup culture backed by a secure, global brand
We care deeply about every interaction our customers have with us, and trust and empower our staff to own and drive their experience. Our vision for our business and customers is built on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where regardless of background or beliefs you feel able to be authentic and bring all your talent into play. We want to celebrate you being you (we are an equal opportunity employer).
VP - SEO & GEO in Telford employer: Hard Rock Digital
At Hard Rock Digital, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in the fast-paced world of online gaming. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and inclusivity, offering employees the chance to grow alongside a globally recognised brand while enjoying competitive pay, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to personal development. Join us in shaping the future of digital entertainment, where your contributions will be valued and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP - SEO & GEO in Telford
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Hard Rock Digital and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Hard Rock Digital are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Hard Rock Digital on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Hard Rock Digital. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace VP - SEO & GEO in Telford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Hard Rock Digital. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Hard Rock Digital:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Hard Rock Digital’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hard Rock Digital
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Hard Rock Digital will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Hard Rock Digital, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
