Head of SEO Manchester

Tribal Digital (Manchester) is portrayed in public materials as a fast-growing, startup-like recruitment partner for digital roles, offering flexible/remote work, autonomy, and a client-focused delivery approach. (reed.co.uk)

Key strengths cited by employees and clients include an energetic, supportive culture, autonomy, flexible hours, and a CSR angle (notably a reported B-Corp status). (reed.co.uk)

Common criticisms include heavy workloads and burnout, plus concerns around career progression and compensation levels. (glassdoor.com)

Quantitative ratings show roughly 3.7/5 on Glassdoor with about 65% of reviewers saying they would recommend the company, though the available data come from a small, potentially non-representative sample. (glassdoor.co.uk)

What is the Head of SEO role, and what would I be responsible for?

The Head of SEO is a senior leadership position responsible for owning and driving the entire SEO program across technical, content, and authority-building initiatives. You’ll set the vision, define the strategy, and lead a team to deliver measurable improvements in search visibility, traffic, and conversions. You’ll align SEO efforts with broader business goals, shape best practices, and identify opportunities other teams may miss. You’ll also be the senior voice on SEO in pitches, client meetings, and cross-channel projects, while staying ahead of industry innovations.

What are the primary responsibilities and key metrics (KPIs) for this role?

Responsibilities:

• Define and own the overall SEO strategy and ensure it ties to business goals.
• Lead and mentor a team of SEO specialists across technical, on-page, and off-page activities.
• Oversee audits, roadmaps, and performance reviews to keep clients ahead of competitors.
• Act as the senior SEO lead in pitches, client engagements, and cross-channel initiatives.
• Drive experimentation and testing of new SEO approaches and technologies.

Key metrics:

• Organic search visibility, traffic, and keyword rankings.
• Engagement and conversion metrics tied to organic traffic (e.g., on-site actions, lead/subscription conversions).
• Efficiency and output of the SEO team (delivery quality, deadlines, and consistency).
• Client satisfaction and retention for SEO-driven projects.
• Implementation speed and impact of optimization initiatives.

What experience and qualifications are required, and what would be ideal?

Must-haves:

• Significant experience in SEO with proven leadership in an agency or in-house setting.
• Deep knowledge of technical SEO, content optimization, and authority-building strategies.
• Strong communication skills and comfort presenting strategy to senior stakeholders.
• Track record of delivering measurable improvements in search visibility, traffic, and conversions.
• Experience mentoring and developing SEO teams to high standards.

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience working across multiple brands or campaigns within a data-driven environment.
• Appetite for staying at the forefront of SEO innovations and applying new approaches.

Location/working style:

• Hybrid working in Manchester with flexibility.

How is the team structured, and how would leadership interact with other parts of the business?

You would lead and mentor a team of SEO specialists and work closely with cross-functional teams such as content, analytics, product/engineering, and client services. You’ll collaborate with senior stakeholders to ensure SEO priorities support broader marketing and business objectives, and you’ll frequently present strategy and progress in internal and client-facing meetings. While the exact reporting line is determined during the interview process, the role is designed to sit at a senior leadership level with broad influence across brands and campaigns.

What is the application process, and what timeline can I expect?

Typical process:

• Submit your CV and a demonstration of SEO impact (portfolio, case studies, or quantified results).
• Initial screening interview with a recruiter or hiring manager.
• In-depth interview(s) with senior leaders to discuss strategy, leadership approach, and fit.
• Case study or practical task related to SEO strategy or audits.
• Final interview with broader team and potential client-facing scenarios.
• Reference checks and offer discussion.

Approximate timeline:

• Applications reviewed within 1–2 weeks of submission.
• Interviews typically completed within 2–4 weeks from initial contact.
• Offers following the final interview, contingent on references and fit.

Tips:

• Prepare examples showing measurable SEO improvements you’ve led (traffic, rankings, conversions).
• Be ready to discuss how you’d approach a multi-brand SEO program and how you mentor teams.

What’s on offer and what makes this role attractive?

• A senior leadership position with influence across multiple brands and campaigns.
• Hybrid working arrangement in Manchester with flexibility.
• Opportunity to shape the direction of SEO strategy and the development of the SEO team.
• Commitment to continuous learning, access to industry tools, and attendance at conferences or events.
• A collaborative and ambitious environment where your expertise is valued and visible.

If you’d like, I can tailor this FAQ further to emphasize specific aspects you want highlighted (e.g., salary expectations, travel requirements, or the exact leadership structure) or adapt the tone for a particular audience.