At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive organic traffic and enhance website performance through innovative SEO strategies.
- Company: Join Debenhams Group, a dynamic retail brand embracing change and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, discounts, and a comprehensive wellbeing package.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth.
- Why this job: Lead the future of SEO with cutting-edge AI strategies in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 4-5 years of SEO experience, confident decision-maker, and self-starter mentality.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
THE ROLE
At Debenhams Group, we are on a journey of transformation, revitalising our brand, culture, and connection with colleagues and customers alike.
In a fast-changing retail environment, effective and authentic communication is vital to building trust, aligning our teams, and amplifying the impact of our work across internal and external audiences.
Description
The SEO team at Karen Millen plays a crucial role in driving organic traffic to the website, ensuring that our premium products and editorial content rank highly in search engine results.
Because our Head of Performance Marketing is heavily focused on broader group projects and paid channels, this team operates with a high degree of independence.
Collaborating closely with content, marketing, and e-commerce teams, you will act as the driving force behind our organic strategy, ensuring we stay ahead of search engine algorithms and emerging tech trends.
This role will be based out of our central London office.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will be a proactive, highly autonomous, and motivated Senior SEO Executive.
Reporting to the Head of Performance Marketing, you will take full ownership of the organic channel to drive growth, enhance search engine visibility, and optimize both on- and off-page elements.
This role is designed for a confident, head-strong decision-maker.
You will be expected to push projects forward independently with only high-level oversight, removing bottlenecks and ensuring agile execution.
Crucially, you will spearhead our transition into the next era of search by leading our Artificial Intelligence Optimisation (AIO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) strategies.
Key Responsibilities
- Full
- Channel
Ownership: Take total responsibility for increasing organic traffic and improving website performance, making confident, strategic decisions to drive the channel forward without waiting for top-down direction.
- Next-Gen Strategy (AIO & GEO): Spearhead the research, adoption, and execution of Artificial Intelligence Optimisation and Generative Engine Optimization strategies to future-proof Karen Millen’s organic visibility.
- Autonomous
- Project
Management: Drive technical and content SEO projects from conception to completion independently, requiring only high-level oversight from the Head of Channel Growth.
- Technical SEO: Conduct regular audits of the website to identify and resolve technical issues (site speed, crawlability, etc.), and work closely with developers to implement best practices.
- Site
Health: Manage XML sitemaps, robots. txt, and canonicalization strategies to ensure optimal search engine indexing.
Optimize site architecture and internal linking for SEO and user experience.
- Content & Keywords: Conduct keyword research and competitor analysis to drive content strategy.
Optimize meta titles, descriptions, header tags, and on-page content for search intent and relevance.
- Off-Page Strategy: Develop and execute link-building strategies to acquire high-quality, authoritative, and topically relevant backlinks.
- Reporting & Analytics: Regularly track, analyse, and report on SEO performance metrics to the wider teams using GA4 and other available tools.
- Industry Expertise: Stay up to date on trends and best practices, attending industry events where required, and educate internal teams on the evolving search landscape.
- What We Look For
Your Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
- 4–5 years of SEO experience, with a previous role in premium/fashion retail highly beneficial.
- Confident Decision-Maker: You are head-strong, decisive, and comfortable taking full ownership of a channel's performance.
- Forward-Thinking Vision: A deep interest in and understanding of emerging search technologies, specifically AIO and GEO.
- Self-Starter Mentality: You do not wait for instruction; you identify what needs to be done and push projects forward independently.
- Solution-Oriented: Demonstrative solution-oriented thinking; you excel at turning obstacles into opportunities.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong numerical skills and commercial awareness enable you to prioritize work effectively, focusing on the best effort-to-return ratio.
- Proven Results: Expertise in SEO that has resulted in impressive ranking performance in competitive search landscapes.
- Content & Social Savvy: Robust content expertise. You see SEO beyond Google, having experimented with social/Tik Tok SEO and social listening to identify current trends.
- Technical
Proficiency: Strong experience with Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets for advanced data analysis.
Experience using GA4 and Google Merchant Center to optimise for Free Shopping traffic. (Python, Java Script, PHP, or HTML experience is highly beneficial).
- Excellent Communicator: Strong presentation skills with the ability to clearly articulate SEO concepts, strategies, and requirements to non-SEO stakeholders.
- Detail-Oriented: An exceptional eye for detail; you can spot a needle in a haystack.
- WORKING WITH US
At Debenhams Group we thrive on change, innovation, and pace.
Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries.
If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here.
We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers—people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.
WHY JOIN US
Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, individual differences are valued, and people can be themselves at work — without exception.
2025 was a year of significant change for the Group. 2026 is about bold moves, real results and unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, you belong at Debenhams Group.
- Our Benefits Include (subject To Level And Eligibility)
- Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover and life assurance
- Discount across all brands
- Comprehensive wellbeing package
- Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression
- Free season ticket loan
- #Debenhamsgroup
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior SEO Executive employer: Karen Millen
At Karen Millen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our ongoing learning and development opportunities, alongside a highly competitive benefits package that includes bonuses, private medical cover, and discounts across all brands. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your creativity can flourish and make a real impact in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior SEO Executive
✨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 Karen Millen 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 Karen Millen 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 Karen Millen 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 Karen Millen. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior SEO Executive
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 Karen Millen. 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 Karen Millen:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Karen Millen’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 Karen Millen
✨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 Karen Millen 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 Karen Millen, 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.
