SEO Lead / SEO Manager in England

SEO Lead / SEO Manager in England

England Full-Time 43000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Smile Digital

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and mentor a team while shaping SEO strategies for key clients.
  • Company: Established digital agency known for its strong reputation in SEO and Digital PR.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and genuine ownership of the SEO function.
  • Other info: Opportunity to stay ahead of SEO trends and foster a culture of continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a role with autonomy and strategic influence.
  • Qualifications: Proven SEO experience in an agency, strong analytical skills, and team leadership.

The predicted salary is between 43000 - 50000 £ per year.

Location: Hampshire (Near Southampton). Hybrid working, 2 days in office per week. Salary £43k-£50k.

We are partnered with an established, independent digital agency with a strong reputation across SEO, Digital PR, and Paid Media, looking to appoint an experienced SEO Lead / Manager to take ownership of their organic search offering. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior SEO to step into a role with real autonomy and strategic influence, shaping how SEO is delivered across the agency while leading a growing team.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of SEO specialists
  • Establish best practices, processes, and delivery frameworks
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement
Strategy & Client Growth
  • Own SEO strategy across key client accounts
  • Present insights and performance updates to clients and stakeholders
  • Identify opportunities to grow accounts and improve results
  • Support new business pitches with SEO expertise
Delivery & Performance
  • Oversee technical SEO, content optimisation, and link acquisition
  • Ensure campaigns deliver against KPIs including traffic, rankings, and conversions
  • Maintain high standards across delivery timelines and client expectations
Innovation
  • Stay ahead of developments in SEO, including AI-driven search and evolving SERPs
  • Introduce forward-thinking strategies to keep clients competitive
What we are looking for

You are an experienced SEO professional, currently operating at Senior SEO Manager or SEO Lead level, with a strong track record in an agency environment. You’re confident leading strategy and client conversations, while also being comfortable staying close to delivery when needed. You enjoy developing others and want a role where you can make a genuine impact.

Required skills and experience
  • Proven experience delivering SEO strategy within an agency environment
  • Strong expertise across technical SEO, on-page optimisation, and search strategy
  • Experience mentoring or managing team members
  • Ability to translate data into clear, commercially focused insights
  • Strong analytical skills (GA4, GSC, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog or similar)
  • Experience managing performance against KPIs
Desirable
  • Experience integrating SEO with Digital PR
  • Exposure to new business or commercial strategy
  • Interest in AI, LLM visibility, and emerging search trends
Benefits
  • Competitive salary (depending on experience)
  • Hybrid working
  • Genuine ownership of the SEO function
  • Supportive, collaborative team culture
  • Opportunity to shape strategy and progress your career

Hampshire (commutable from Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth and surrounding areas)

SEO Lead / SEO Manager in England employer: Smile Digital

Join a leading independent digital agency in Hampshire, where you will have the opportunity to take ownership of the SEO function and lead a talented team. With a supportive and collaborative culture, hybrid working options, and a focus on continuous learning, this role offers genuine career progression and the chance to make a significant impact on client success.
Smile Digital

Contact Detail:

Smile Digital Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land SEO Lead / SEO Manager in England

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with other SEO enthusiasts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a personal website or blog where you can showcase your SEO projects and insights. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply; engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to the company on social media or via email. Express your enthusiasm for the position and ask insightful questions about their SEO strategies.

✨Tip Number 4

Leverage our website! We’ve got loads of resources and job listings tailored for SEO professionals. Make sure to check back regularly and apply through us to increase your chances of landing that dream role!

We think you need these skills to ace SEO Lead / SEO Manager in England

SEO Strategy
Technical SEO
On-Page Optimisation
Search Strategy
Team Leadership
Mentoring
Data Analysis
Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
Google Search Console (GSC)
Ahrefs
Screaming Frog
KPI Management
Client Communication
Continuous Improvement
AI-driven Search Trends

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your SEO achievements and any leadership roles you've had, as we want to see how you can take ownership of our organic search offering.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the SEO Lead role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and developed strategies that drove results, showing us your passion for SEO and mentoring.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since strong analytical skills are key for this role, make sure to mention your experience with tools like GA4, GSC, or Ahrefs. We want to see how you translate data into actionable insights that can improve client performance.

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 our SEO strategy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Smile Digital

✨Know Your SEO Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in SEO, especially around technical SEO and AI-driven search. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how you've successfully implemented strategies that improved traffic and rankings for clients.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored or developed others in your previous positions. Highlight any successful projects where you took charge and drove results.

✨Prepare for Client Conversations

Think about how you would present insights and performance updates to clients. Practice explaining complex data in a straightforward way, as you'll need to demonstrate your ability to translate analytics into actionable strategies.

✨Stay Ahead of the Game

Research the agency's current SEO practices and think about innovative strategies you could introduce. Showing that you're proactive and have ideas for keeping clients competitive will set you apart from other candidates.

SEO Lead / SEO Manager in England
Smile Digital
Location: England

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