Technical SEO Manager Leeds

Search Laboratory (now Havas Market UK)

Posted 03/10/2025

What Makes This Opportunity Special

Step into the Technical SEO Manager role at Havas Market UK (formerly Search Laboratory) in Leeds, where you’ll own a portfolio of high-value client accounts and drive measurable performance through advanced crawl audits, international SEO, and emerging tech like LLMs. You’ll lead client-facing engagements, partner with the Technical SEO Director, and mentor a Technical SEO Executive, translating data-heavy insights into clear, actionable strategies that power cohesive multichannel experiences. Join a culture that fuses human-led planning with cutting-edge technology, fuels cross-team collaboration across London and Leeds, and rewards impact, clear communication, and hands-on problem solving.

Job Description

Reporting To: Technical SEO Director

Office Location: Blokhaus, West Park Ring Road, Leeds, LS16 6QG, UK

About Havas Market We are Havas Market, part of the Havas Media Network. We believe in in the fusion of commerce and performance to drive limitless performance. We break down barriers between commerce and performance to build cohesive multichannel purchase experiences that powerfully combine tech and human flair.

Havas Market expertise spans four core specialist services: paid media (PPC, paid social, shopping international), owned (SEO, CRO, content, creative, localisation), commerce (Amazon, Marketplaces, Retail Media, social commerce) and earned (digital PR, social).

We Help Clients To Connect with the human behind the click – we harness human-led planning and technology to create experiences that connect more deeply and drive superior digital performance. Capture meaningful metrics that matter – we focus on meaningful results that drive business impact, not just superficial metrics, ensuring client strategy delivers real commercial success. Combine curious minds and powerful technology – we turn data into actionable insights, all powered and delivered by cutting-edge technology, giving clients a competitive edge in market.

The Role An exciting opportunity has opened for a Technical SEO Manager with proven expertise and strong client-facing skills to take ownership of a portfolio of high-value accounts. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with the Technical SEO Director and manage a Technical SEO Executive. The team is based in both London and Leeds.

We’re looking for someone with deep experience across all areas of technical SEO, including crawl audits, international SEO, indexation challenges, internal linking, competitor analysis, keyword research, and the application of emerging technologies such as LLMs. A solid grasp of core development languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is essential, along with the ability to integrate UX insights into your strategy. Familiarity with basic API requests will also be highly valuable.

You’ll need a strong data-driven mindset with an eye for detail. You will be analysing large datasets to connect the dots, then translating them into clear, succinct, and actionable insights for clients. Strong writing, information design, and coordination & collaboration skills are essential for success in this position.

As a client-facing leader, you’ll be responsible for driving weekly check-ins and steering larger monthly & quarterly meetings, with the support of your line manager. Confidence in presenting, excellent communication skills, and a proactive, practical, and solution-driven attitude are all essential.

Key Responsibilities Manage the day-to-day technical support and implementation across a core client set. Proficiently manage, investigate, and analyse crawl & log files in Screaming Frog, custom crawlers, client extractions. Confidence in discussing and making recommendations on new emerging areas of technical SEO such as LLM models. Comfortably able to construct forecasts based on logical assumptions and frameworks. Learn and develop a clear understanding of our agency best practices. Build and maintain a strong working relationship with your clients by gaining their full trust. Work with the SEO Executives to complete work in a timely manner and to a high standard and ensure they maintain all basic technical requirements. Develop the SEO executives in the team, contribute towards training to upskill the broader team and play a role in the development of SEO best practice. Working with your line manager, you will learn how to pull together strategic roadmaps for your clients and be able to action recommendations from these roadmaps. Work closely with the SEO Strategy and Paid Search teams to ensure alignment and support in truly incremental and integrated performance for your clients.

Desired Skills And Experience 3+ years’ experience in a SEO remit, ideally within an agency environment. Proven experience of working with enterprise level clients and large budgets. Solid experience using Google Analytics, Search Console, and other analytics platforms to isolate relevant data and derive meaningful insights Extensive experience using core SEO databases & tools including SEMrush and Ahrefs. Excellent data analysis skills and confident with spreadsheets Excellent communicator – written and verbal, with the ability to frame challenges in a useful way and present confidently. Strong time management skills and ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines, as well as experience keeping within retainer/project scopes. Strong attention to detail and a practical and problem-solving approach to challenges International SEO experience would be a bonus.

About Search Laboratory (now Havas Market UK)

Leeds-based Glassdoor reviews rate Search Laboratory at 4.3/5 with 88% would recommend (57 reviews), indicating a generally positive work environment in the Leeds office. Key strengths cited include a friendly, supportive culture, a people-first approach, flexible/hybrid working, and opportunities to learn and develop. Common criticisms include starting pay below market and limited progression opportunities. Financial health & stability appear solid as the operation is now part of Havas Market UK, with continued growth and expansion (e.g., the 2022 Additive+ acquisition expanding the UK footprint, including Leeds). CSR and sustainability seem credible at the group level (Impact+, ISO 14001 in the UK, Ecovadis Gold, carbon-reduction targets), though Leeds-specific CSR details are less documented; broader Glassdoor data shows higher company-wide ratings (around 4.5/5 and ~93% would recommend). (glassdoor.co.uk)

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I be responsible for as Technical SEO Manager?

You will own the technical SEO strategy and delivery for a portfolio of high-value client accounts. Key responsibilities include:

Day-to-day technical support and implementation across the core client set
Crawls and indexation work, including crawl audits, log file analysis, and using tools like Screaming Frog and custom crawlers
International SEO, internal linking, indexation challenges, and competitor analysis
Keyword research and applying emerging technologies (e.g., LLMs) to SEO strategy
Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and the ability to discuss API requests when needed
Translating large datasets into clear, concise, and actionable client insights
Integrating UX insights into SEO recommendations and collaborating with development and product teams
Leading weekly client check-ins and guiding larger monthly and quarterly client meetings with support from your line manager
Managing and mentoring a Technical SEO Executive, and coordinating with cross-functional teams

What qualifications and experience are required?

Deep, hands-on experience across all areas of technical SEO, including crawl audits, indexation, and international SEO
Strong proficiency with core development languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and the ability to discuss API requests
Experience analyzing large datasets and turning findings into actionable client-ready recommendations
Excellent written communication and information design skills, with the ability to present complex concepts clearly
Proven client-facing experience and the ability to lead meetings and workshops
Ability to manage and mentor junior teammates and work collaboratively with the Technical SEO Director and other stakeholders
A proactive, pragmatic, solution-driven mindset with strong attention to detail

What is the team structure and working arrangement?

You will report to the Technical SEO Director and manage a Technical SEO Executive
The team operates across two hubs: London and Leeds, with the role based in Leeds
Primary location for this role is Blokhaus, West Park Ring Road, Leeds, LS16 6QG, UK
The role involves close collaboration with other specialists within Havas Market (owned, paid, commerce, and earned) and may include cross-office coordination
Hybrid working and regular in-office presence are expected, with occasional travel as needed for client meetings or collaboration

What is the application process and what should I prepare?

Submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant technical SEO experience and leadership capabilities
Be prepared to discuss case studies or examples of successful technical SEO work (crawl audits, indexation improvements, international SEO, etc.)
You may be asked to complete a technical discussion or practical assessment during or after interviews
Interviews typically cover your approach to problem-solving, client scenarios, and how you communicate complex data to non-technical stakeholders
If you progress, you’ll be asked for references and to provide any additional supporting materials (e.g., portfolio or sample analyses)
Timelines vary, but you can expect communication on next steps after each stage of the process

What benefits and growth opportunities does Havas Market offer?

Opportunity to work across a broad spectrum of services (SEO, PPC, content, CX/UX, commerce, digital PR) within a global network
Direct involvement with high-value clients and the chance to shape long-term technical SEO strategy
Access to ongoing learning and development, including exposure to emerging technologies such as LLMs and data-driven optimization
Clear paths for career progression within the technical SEO leadership track, including potential advancement beyond the Technical SEO Manager role
A collaborative, client-facing environment that emphasizes practical, results-driven problem solving and strong stakeholder management

If you’d like, I can tailor this FAQ further to emphasize any specific aspects of the role or the company culture.