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: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of SEO while making a real impact on diverse clients.
- Qualifications: 4+ years of agency-side SEO experience and strong data skills.
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.
Core responsibilities will include:
- 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.
Senior SEO Manager employer: Octagon Group
Contact Detail:
Octagon Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior SEO Manager
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨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 set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the agency and its clients thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in areas like technical SEO and GEO strategies. Tailoring your answers will show you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented folks like you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our awesome team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior SEO Manager
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 in content, technical, and local SEO, and show how you can contribute to our agency's growth.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to illustrate how your strategies improved visibility or drove results for clients.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We want to see your passion for SEO and how you communicate its value. A genuine tone can make a big difference in standing out from the crowd.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of our SEO department.
How to prepare for a job interview at Octagon Group
✨Know Your SEO Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest SEO trends and tools, especially those mentioned in the job description like Semrush and Google Search Console. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past roles to drive results.
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Prepare to talk about specific SEO strategies you've developed and implemented. Think of examples where your recommendations led to measurable improvements for clients, and be ready to explain your thought process behind them.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
Since this role involves managing a small team, come prepared with examples of how you've trained or mentored others in SEO. Highlight your leadership style and how you foster collaboration within a team.
✨Be Client-Focused
The agency values strong client relationships, so think of instances where you've successfully managed client expectations or turned around a challenging situation. Show that you understand the importance of communication and stakeholder management in delivering successful SEO outcomes.