At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEO strategies and mentor a team to drive organic search success.
- Company: Join Spark Foundry, a diverse and innovative agency focused on accelerating brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive perks like private medical cover, reflection days, and shared parental leave.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the fast-paced world of SEO and digital marketing.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEO, strong analytical skills, and a passion for digital trends.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Company description Who We Are in the UK? Spark Foundry, the Acceleration Agency. We help brands to identify, learn and respond to opportunities faster than the competition. Every client has an area of their business they need to accelerate, from short-term goals to long-term transformation. We’ve proven our approach during the most difficult year on record. Now we’re using it to provide a launchpad for their future. Come be an accelerator with us.
How we accelerate:
- Planning: an approach that works in practice rather than theory, arming planners with the ability to create cutting edge campaigns.
- Intelligence: a suite of tools that give definitive answers to big questions, and uncovers actionable insights about real people.
- Trading: a model built on flexibility and trusted relationships, underpinned with bold guarantees.
- Relationships: a culture of asking challenging questions to better understand the brief – we are not a ‘yes’ agency.
- People: a strong history of recruiting talent from diverse backgrounds and accelerating their careers.
Our Commitment: We are diverse through our experience, people and the clients we look after - and we celebrate that diversity. Our people hold us accountable to our beliefs and via regular surveys and our grass roots D&I team, The Collective, and internal next generation board, Firestarters, we hold regular events and work continually towards generating ideas, initiatives and educating our people to ensure we are a diverse and inclusive agency. As part of our dedication to create an inclusive and diverse workforce, Spark Foundry is committed to equal access to opportunity for people without regard to race, age, sex, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.
Overview: As an SEO Manager at Performics, you’ll be the strategic lead on one or more key accounts, partnering closely with the SEO Account Director to design and deliver next-generation organic search programs. You’ll blend technical rigour, creative insight and data analysis to craft holistic SEO strategies - spanning technical audits, content planning, local search and AI-driven discovery - that exceed client KPIs and business objectives. You’ll manage, upskill and mentor a team of SEO Executives, own the end-to-end delivery of projects (from roadmapping and briefs through to reporting and strategy evolution), and stay ahead of search trends - whether algorithm shifts, emerging LLM capabilities or new social-search behaviours. Your proactive, test-and-learn mindset will drive continuous optimisation, ensuring our clients’ owned media channels deliver maximum visibility, engagement and conversion.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic planning: Develop comprehensive SEO strategies (technical, on-page, off-page and local) aligned to client business goals and digital KPIs.
- Execution & oversight: Lead technical audits, site migrations and content optimisation, ensuring flawless implementation and rigorous QA.
- Team management: Line-manage and upskill SEO Executives, providing mentorship, peer-to-peer training and clear workflows to maintain high service standards.
- Cross-channel integration: Collaborate with Paid Search, Social, Content and CRO teams to embed SEO insights into wider performance marketing programs.
- Performance analytics: Define and track success metrics (rankings, organic traffic, engagement and conversions) using Google Analytics, Search Console, Semrush, etc; translate data into actionable recommendations.
- Client & stakeholder management: Maintain day-to-day client relationships, present insights and roadmaps, and articulate complex technical concepts in clear, persuasive language.
- Innovation & trendspotting: Research and share new ideas - AI search features, voice search, technical innovations - to keep our offering cutting-edge.
- Process improvement: Partner with the Account Director to refine workflows, optimise resource allocation and scale best practices across teams.
Qualifications:
- Experience: Prior hands-on SEO experience, ideally within an agency environment supporting enterprise-level clients.
- Technical Proficiency: Solid understanding of HTML, CSS/JS fundamentals and how they impact crawling, indexing and UX; adept with SEO and generic marketing toolsets (e.g. Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, Looker Studio, Semrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, Lumar, Similarweb).
- Analytical Skills: Comfort with data analysis - pulling insights from performance dashboards and search data, setting forecasts, measuring ROI and reporting to stakeholders.
- Leadership & Communication: Proven ability to manage and motivate junior staff, run trainings, and confidently present to clients and senior internal teams.
- Strategic Thinking: Track record of crafting multi-layered SEO plans that integrate with broader marketing strategies; proactive problem-solving mindset.
- Learning Agility: Passion for staying abreast of algorithm updates, AI-powered search advances and emerging digital trends - and translating them into client advantage.
- Tools & Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree (Marketing, Business, IT or similar) preferred; certifications such as Google Analytics IQ, Semrush or Moz beneficial.
Additional information: Spark Foundry offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave.
Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week. At Spark Foundry we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application. Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.
SEO Manager employer: Publicis Group
Publicis Sapient is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the energy and commodities sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior analysts while applying Lean and Agile practices to drive impactful transformation programs. Located in a vibrant environment, we provide our team with the resources and support needed to thrive and deliver meaningful client value.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEO Manager
✨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 Publicis Group 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 Publicis Group 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 Publicis Group 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 Publicis Group. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace SEO Manager
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 Publicis Group. 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 Publicis Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Publicis Group’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 Publicis Group
✨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 Publicis Group 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 Publicis Group, 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.
