SEO Associate Partner Manchester

Open Partners Manchester is generally rated highly for culture and growth, with Glassdoor showing an overall rating around 4.4/5 and about 86% of reviewers would recommend the company, complemented by Great Place to Work's certification noting an inquisitive, entrepreneurial, collaborative culture. Common criticisms include a high workload and pressure, with reviews flagging a fast-paced environment and, in some cases, limited progression. Financial health appears strong and growth-oriented, evidenced by a 2025 FT 1000 Europe listing, turnover around £51m, and a headcount of about 140. CSR and values are framed around integrity and transparency, with a published Modern Slavery Statement indicating formal CSR governance. Note that the Manchester review sample is relatively small, so insights may not be fully representative across all roles, though external signals (FT 1000 recognition and Sunday Times Fastest Growing lists) bolster credibility. (glassdoor.com)

What would I do in this role?

• Lead and support SEO strategies for client accounts, helping them improve organic visibility and drive qualified traffic.
• Conduct comprehensive keyword research, analyze competitiveness, and identify trends to inform content and optimization plans.
• Perform on-page optimization (titles, meta tags, headers, content tweaks) and ensure sites follow SEO best practices.
• Assist with technical SEO tasks, such as diagnosing crawl issues, fixing broken links, and supporting site speed improvements.
• Collaborate with content and creative teams to develop SEO-driven content strategies that align with audience intent.
• Support link-building and off-page activities through outreach and content promotion to earn high-quality backlinks.
• Monitor, analyze, and report key SEO metrics (organic traffic, rankings, conversions) and use insights to optimize future efforts.
• Conduct competitive analyses to uncover opportunities to outrank peers and improve overall SEO performance.
• Act as a bridge between clients and partners, balancing strategic guidance with hands-on delivery, while ensuring quality and results.

What qualifications and experience are required or desirable?

• Essential:

  • 2-5+ years of experience in SEO or digital marketing.
  • Positive, flexible, can-do attitude and a proactive approach.
  • Strong ability to extract insights from data and translate them into actions.
  • Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working with limited supervision.
  • Confident, approachable, and skilled at building relationships with clients and colleagues.
  • Strong writing and editing skills; ability to tell a compelling content story.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a drive to continuously improve.

• Desirable:

  • Proven experience in SEO (in-house or agency).
  • Proficiency with common SEO tools and analytics platforms.
  • Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (content, design, development).

Where and how will I work?

• Location: Manchester, with a Hybrid working model.
• Schedule: 5 days per week.
• You will have client-facing responsibilities and work closely with the SEO Partner, as well as collaborate with other teams to deliver integrated campaigns.

What is the application process and what should I prepare?

• How to apply: Submit your application through the company’s careers channel (as listed in the job posting).
• What to include: Updated resume/CV, and ideally examples of SEO work or case studies that demonstrate results (traffic improvements, ranking gains, and measurable outcomes).
• What to expect: A screening or initial interview, followed by one or more discussions with the SEO Partner and/or team. You may be asked to discuss past campaigns, share metrics, and possibly complete an SEO-related task or assessment. References may be requested as part of the process. Timelines can vary, so you’ll be informed of next steps after each stage.

What opportunities for growth and what about compensation?

• Growth path: The title “Associate Partner” is described as a specialist, client-facing role that serves as a bridge between Client and Partner. The position is designed to develop strategic capabilities, operational responsibility, and the potential to grow alongside the partner function and client portfolio.
• Compensation and benefits: Not specified in the posting. Expect to discuss salary, benefits, and any performance-based bonuses during the interview process. The company emphasizes data-driven decision making, continuous improvement, and an entrepreneurial mindset, which typically accompanies ongoing professional development opportunities.