At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEO strategies and manage a dynamic team to drive client success.
- Company: Fast-growing digital optimisation agency in Shoreditch, London.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, mental health support, remote work options, and dedicated development time.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of SEO while making a real impact for diverse clients.
- Qualifications: 4+ years of agency-side SEO experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
About the Agency
Our client is a fast-growing boutique digital optimisation agency based in Shoreditch, London. Founded by highly experienced digital specialists who previously helped build one of the UK’s largest and most respected digital analytics agencies, the leadership team brings more than 35 years’ combined experience in helping businesses grow through data-led optimisation. The agency supports clients across organic search, helping brands improve visibility across both traditional search engines and emerging LLM-driven discovery environments. Its SEO and GEO offering covers content, technical SEO, local SEO and a dedicated GEO service, all underpinned by data, insight and measurable optimisation. The agency’s approach is collaborative and integrated, working closely with wider marketing channels to drive stronger outcomes for clients.
Following almost three years of strong growth, the agency is now looking for an experienced SEO specialist to help drive strategy forward for both existing and upcoming clients. Working directly with the Head of SEO, this person will play an important role in shaping the future of the SEO department, developing the agency’s services and helping to build a best-in-class organic search practice. This is an exciting opportunity for someone ready to take the next step in their SEO career and work with clients where SEO and GEO recommendations can make a genuine commercial impact.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced SEO Manager or Senior SEO Manager, depending on experience, to support with the creation, management and delivery of SEO and GEO strategies across a varied client portfolio. In this role, you will oversee end-to-end SEO delivery across multiple clients, ensuring that strategies are commercially focused, clearly communicated and effectively executed. No two days will be the same, with the opportunity to work across different industries, client challenges and areas of organic search.
As the agency provides a full-service SEO offering, this role will involve working across content, technical SEO, local SEO and GEO. You do not need to have spent equal time across every pillar, but you should understand how these areas interact, how they influence organic and AI visibility, and be willing to get involved across the full breadth of the discipline. As the agency continues to grow, there will also be opportunities to support new business pitches, contribute to the development of the SEO proposition and manage future hires. The role is hybrid, with an expectation to be in the Shoreditch office 2–3 days per week.
What You’ll Be Doing
As part of a small but growing agency, you will have a genuine opportunity to influence the direction and growth of the SEO department. Your expertise will help shape the agency’s SEO and GEO services, improve internal ways of working and ensure clients receive high-quality strategic guidance.
- Developing, leading and clearly communicating SEO and GEO strategies, including performance updates, priorities and recommendations.
- Building strong client relationships and acting as the main point of contact across project-based and retainer work.
- Overseeing content, technical and GEO audits, providing feedback to execution teams and translating findings into a joined-up strategic roadmap.
- Using project management platforms such as Notion to track delivery, manage workflows and ensure client work progresses effectively.
- Using proprietary and third-party SEO and GEO tools, including platforms such as Semrush, SEOmonitor and AthenaHQ, to deliver maximum impact for clients.
- Managing a team of 2–3 people, ranging from Executive to Senior Executive level.
- Training, mentoring and upskilling team members across established and emerging areas of SEO.
- Creating and managing client dashboards, reporting frameworks and monthly insight delivery.
- Working closely with the Head of SEO and other SEO Managers to define the wider SEO strategy for the department, develop best practices and collaborate with platform providers to get the most value from available data.
- Collaborating with internal CRO / experimentation and analytics teams to further develop the agency’s digital optimisation offering, including combined case studies, integrated ways of working and innovation opportunities.
- Partnering with media agency teams to develop joined-up SEO and PPC strategies for relevant clients.
We are looking for someone with:
- At least 4 years’ agency-side SEO experience, ideally gained in a client-facing role.
- Experience across content, technical and local SEO, although candidates with deeper specialism in one area and strong understanding of the wider SEO landscape will also be considered.
- Confidence discussing GEO, what it means for clients and how it influences organic visibility, with experience tracking AI performance preferred.
- Strong understanding of SEO best practice across content, technical SEO, including site speed, and local SEO.
- A clear understanding of how content, technical and local SEO work together, and how these disciplines can influence AI visibility.
- The ability to prioritise SEO recommendations and turn them into an effective strategy that drives results for clients.
- A genuine passion for the role SEO can play in business growth, along with the ability to communicate its value clearly and confidently.
- Strong data skills, particularly within Google Search Console and GA4.
- Confident hands-on experience with tools such as Semrush, Screaming Frog and Looker Studio.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management and account management skills.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.
- Strong problem-solving ability, with a proactive and innovative approach to client challenges.
Nice to Have
It would also be beneficial to have:
- Experience building SEO business cases to demonstrate the value of proposed optimisations.
- Experience using partners or platforms such as Yext, or the ability to manage and update information within Google Business Profiles.
- Experience working across a range of sectors, such as eCommerce, B2B, healthcare or restricted industries.
- Experience collaborating with web development or copywriting partners.
- Experience working alongside other marketing channels, such as PPC or CRO.
- Experience integrating SEO activity with digital PR.
Benefits and Perks
- Holiday allowance: 25 days’ annual leave per year, plus Christmas closure, which is typically an additional 3–4 days. This will be pro-rated where applicable.
- Volunteering leave: 2 days per year.
- Work from abroad: Up to 4 weeks each year.
- Mental health and wellbeing support: Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support through a dedicated wellbeing platform.
- Pension: 8% total pension contribution, made up of 4% employee contribution and 4% employer match.
- Dedicated development time: Client work is capped at a maximum of 60% of time, with 20% ring-fenced for learning and development. This could include self-development, internal sessions, upskilling or external training. There is no fixed training budget, but the agency actively encourages attendance at relevant conferences and courses, with costs covered where appropriate.
- Home office set-up: No fixed budget, but the agency wants employees to be able to work just as effectively from home as they do in the office. Equipment such as a desk, chair, monitor, hardware and other essentials can be provided.
- Quarterly paid socials: Regular paid team socials, with ideas and suggestions encouraged.
- Opportunity to shape future benefits: As the agency continues to scale, employees will have a say in how the benefits package evolves, from additional time off to social impact initiatives and team perks.
Senior SEO Manager - Agency-Side in City of London employer: Octagon Group
Contact Detail:
Octagon Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior SEO Manager - Agency-Side in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the SEO industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the game. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a personal project or case study that highlights your SEO expertise. Whether it’s a blog, a website, or an analysis of a brand’s SEO performance, having something tangible to share can really impress potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out directly! If you see a company you’d love to work for, send them a message. Express your interest and share how you can add value to their team. Sometimes, a proactive approach can land you an interview before a position is even posted.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website to apply! We’ve got loads of resources and job listings that can help you find the perfect fit. Plus, applying through us means you’ll be part of a community that values growth and collaboration in the SEO space.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior SEO Manager - Agency-Side in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior SEO Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in SEO, especially agency-side, and how it aligns with what we’re looking for. Show us why you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples of how you've successfully implemented SEO strategies in the past. We want to see your hands-on experience with tools like Semrush and Google Search Console.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your passion for SEO shines through. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the heart of your experience.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Octagon Group
✨Know Your SEO Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your SEO knowledge, especially around content, technical, and local SEO. Be ready to discuss how these areas interact and influence organic visibility, as well as any recent trends in AI performance tracking.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully developed and executed SEO strategies. Highlight your experience with tools like Semrush and Google Search Console, and be ready to explain how you've used data to drive results for clients.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the agency values collaboration, think of instances where you've worked closely with other teams, like PPC or CRO. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to a joined-up approach that drives stronger outcomes for clients.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the agency's current SEO strategies and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can make a meaningful impact within the team.