SEO Executive | Cult Beauty Manchester

Manchester-based THG reviews show a mixed picture: a fast-paced, opportunity-rich environment for some, but widespread concerns about a toxic culture, long hours and siloed teams (notably at THG Ingenuity), with ratings around 3.0/5 at THG Manchester and lower on Ingenuity. (glassdoor.com)

Financial health appears mixed: THG reports post-demerger revenue of about £1.69bn and EBITDA around £92m for 2024, with impairments and strategic moves (e.g., a £14.9m THG Experience hotel impairment and a planned Williams sponsorship write-off) underscoring ongoing balance-sheet adjustments. (thg.com)

Career development and compensation are inconsistent: some praise deployment of skills and opportunities, while many reviews highlight limited salary progression, modest pay reviews, and low pay growth, especially at THG Ingenuity. (glassdoor.com)

CSR and sustainability appear strong externally, with THG recognized for sustainability excellence in 2024 (PACT supply-chain decarbonisation initiative), though internal feedback around day-to-day employee benefits remains mixed. (thg.com)

Confidence/reliability note: these Manchester-specific reviews are self-selected and may over-represent negative experiences and recent organizational changes; they should be considered alongside THG’s official financial statements and CSR disclosures for a fuller view.

What are the primary responsibilities of the SEO Executive at Cult Beauty/THG?

As an SEO Executive, you’ll develop and execute comprehensive SEO strategies to drive organic growth across Cult Beauty and THG Beauty properties. Your day-to-day will include:

• Planning and implementing on-page, off-page, and technical SEO initiatives to boost rankings, traffic, and user experience.
• Performing keyword research, content optimization, meta data improvements, internal linking strategies, and schema markup implementation.
• Conducting regular technical audits (crawlability, indexation, site speed, core web vitals) and leading site-wide improvements.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams (content, product, UX, web development, analytics) to ensure SEO best practices are embedded in all projects.
• Monitoring performance with analytics tools, setting KPIs (organic traffic, conversions/CVR, engagement metrics), and delivering monthly performance reports.
• Keeping up-to-date with search engine algorithm updates and industry trends, and translating insights into actionable roadmaps.
• Creating SEO briefs and guiding content creators to produce optimized, high-quality content.

What qualifications and experience are required or preferred?

Required:

• 3+ years of hands-on SEO experience, preferably in ecommerce.
• Proven track record of driving organic growth and improving rankings, traffic, and conversions.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with data to inform decisions.
• Familiarity with on-page, off-page, and technical SEO, plus basic HTML/CSS understanding.
• Experience with key SEO tools (e.g., Google Analytics/GA4, Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, Semrush/Moz/Ahrefs, etc.).
• Ability to collaborate effectively with marketing, content, and development teams.

Preferred:

• Experience in beauty, fashion, or consumer ecommerce.
• Proficiency with CMS platforms (e.g., Shopify, Magento) and structured data/Schema markup.
• Knowledge of Core Web Vitals and page speed optimization.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

How does the application process work and what is the timeline?

• Step 1: Submit your CV and, if possible, a brief cover note outlining relevant SEO experience and notable wins.
• Step 2: Initial pre-screen interview with a recruiter to discuss your background and fit.
• Step 3: Technical/creative assessment or SEO case study to demonstrate approach and problem-solving.
• Step 4: Interviews with the marketing team and leadership to assess collaboration style, strategy, and cultural fit.
• Step 5: Reference checks and offer. Typical timelines can range from 2 to 4 weeks from application to decision, depending on interview availability and the sample project’s scheduling.

What are the location, working arrangements, and typical hours?

• Location: Manchester, UK.
• Working arrangement: Hybrid options are typically offered; specifics (onsite vs. remote days) will be discussed during the interview process and aligned with team needs.
• Hours: This is a full-time role with standard business hours. Flexible scheduling may be available subject to team requirements and performance.

How would you describe Cult Beauty/THG’s culture and what growth opportunities exist?

• Culture: Cult Beauty emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and being part of a close-knit team. The company values sharing ideas, learning quickly from setbacks, and aiming to redefine beauty standards. There’s a strong focus on empowering employees to take initiative and own their impact.
• Growth and development: You’ll have opportunities to work across THG Beauty brands and collaborate with diverse teams. High performers can pursue advanced SEO roles or cross-brand roles within THG, with ongoing learning and development supported.
• Performance expectations: Success in this role is measured by quantitative SEO KPIs (organic traffic growth, ranking improvements, conversion rate improvements, and revenue from organic channels) as well as qualitative indicators (cross-functional collaboration, initiative, and the ability to translate data into actionable strategy).

If you’d like, I can tailor this FAQ further to emphasize specific tools, metrics, or aspects of Cult Beauty’s brand strategy.