Head of Owned Media

Set the strategic and technical direction for GAIN's Owned Media capability across SEO, organic search, social, authority and link building
Lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary team
Ensure high standards of strategy, technical delivery, execution and measurable client performance
Evolve GAIN's proposition in response to changing search behaviours, AI-powered discovery, GEO and emerging technologies
Build AI-enabled workflows, automation and tools to improve quality, speed and scalability
Act as senior subject-matter expert for Owned Media across GAIN
Develop new services, methodologies, frameworks and intellectual property
Ensure the capability operates commercially with strong utilisation, resource deployment and sustainable margin contribution
Provide senior oversight for major client programmes, pitches and complex organic-search challenges
Establish standards for technical SEO, content optimisation, authority and link building, measurement, reporting and strategic planning
Develop GAIN's approach to Generative Engine Optimisation and AI-powered search visibility
Lead experimentation around emerging search technologies
Establish governance for AI and automation workflows
Own strategic direction and quality of important and complex client engagements
Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and support resolution of technical, strategic and performance challenges
Lead or support strategic pitches, credentials and new-business conversations
Develop new products, services, methodologies, frameworks and commercial propositions
Lead pilots and proofs of concept before scaling successful approaches
Coach and mentor specialists, develop future leaders and create succession pathways
Manage utilisation, capacity, skills coverage, resource requirements, forecasting and workforce planning
Identify over-servicing, scope leakage and inefficient working practices
Work with the Group COO on capability, technology and talent investment

Requirements

• Significant experience within SEO, organic search or Owned Media, ideally gained within an agency, consultancy or similarly complex client environment
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing specialist teams
• Deep technical understanding of SEO, including technical SEO, content optimisation, authority development and link building
• Experience developing strategies for complex, enterprise and ideally international brands
• Strong understanding of how AI is changing search, discovery and customer behaviour, with practical knowledge of GEO/AEO and emerging optimisation approaches
• Evidence of experimenting with or implementing AI-enabled workflows, automation or new technology within a search environment
• Strong knowledge of Google Search Console, Google Analytics and leading SEO research, crawling and analytics tools
• Ability to interpret complex data and translate it into clear strategic and commercial recommendations
• Strong commercial awareness and experience contributing to pitches, scopes, client growth and new propositions
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence advising senior client and executive stakeholders
• Track record of developing people, raising standards and creating a culture of learning and experimentation
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining sufficiently close to the work to challenge thinking, coach specialists and guide complex engagements
• Curiosity about the future of search and willingness to challenge established SEO conventions

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in SEO, technical SEO, and organic search strategies, with a strong focus on AI-driven methodologies and client engagement. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop innovative services, and drive measurable performance improvements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• SEO Strategy Development
• Technical SEO Expertise
• AI-Enabled Workflows
• Team Leadership and Development
• Client Relationship Management

ATS Optimization KeywordsHard Skills

• SEO
• Technical SEO
• Content Optimisation
• Link Building
• AI-Powered Search
• Data Interpretation
• Strategic Planning
• GEO/AEO Knowledge
• Experimentation with Emerging Technologies
• Commercial Awareness

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication
• Presentation Skills
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Curiosity
• Problem-Solving

Industry Keywords

• Owned Media
• Organic Search
• Client Engagement
• Agency Experience
• Complex Client Environment

Tools & Technologies

• Google Search Console
• Google Analytics
• SEO Research Tools
• Crawling Tools
• Analytics Tools