| The SEO Manager will develop and execute SEO strategies, manage keyword research, track performance, and optimize content. They will collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive organic traffic and improve rankings while typically managing a team of SEO Analysts. |
Anticipated Skill Breakout
Job Responsibilities
- Collaborate with internal teams: Develop a search-data-driven and user-experience-focused approach by fostering collaboration between SEO Analysts and other departments, including content, UX, and development teams. Ensure insights are effectively communicated and integrated across teams.
- Ensure SEO best practices in development: Oversee the team’s collaboration with product and engineering departments to ensure SEO best practices are seamlessly incorporated into code and web architecture. Act as the primary liaison between development teams and SEO Analysts to align technical SEO with product launches and improvements.
- Leverage search data for brand opportunities: Coordinate with SEO Analysts and PR teams to uncover brand-building opportunities from search trends. Drive initiatives and campaigns that align search data insights with brand objectives, ensuring cohesive strategies across SEO and brand efforts.
- Identify issues and opportunities from SEO data: Manage the team’s efforts to analyze and interpret SEO data, uncovering opportunities for optimization and growth. Hold regular meetings with the team to review findings, troubleshoot issues, and set priorities for improvement initiatives.
- Utilize generative AI for SEO improvements: Supervise SEO Analysts in exploring AI-driven opportunities to enhance search performance, working closely with the data science team. Develop training programs to ensure the team understands how to apply AI outputs, such as content recommendations or predictive SEO analytics.
- Prepare weekly reporting: Oversee the preparation of detailed SEO performance reports by the team, ensuring key metrics and actionable recommendations are clearly communicated to stakeholders. Review and refine reports to provide high-level insights that align with business goals.
- Contribute to cross-departmental strategy: Lead SEO Analysts in collaborating with PR, SEM, social media, and creative teams to ensure alignment and consistency across all marketing channels. Develop strategic frameworks to integrate SEO insights into cross-channel initiatives.
- Evangelize SEO in broader business initiatives: Promote SEO awareness within the organization, encouraging adoption of SEO principles in product development, brand campaigns, UX design, and other business areas. Mentor SEO Analysts in becoming internal advocates for SEO, empowering them to drive conversations that emphasize the value of SEO across teams.
- Plan and execute SEO tests: Lead the team in designing, executing, and evaluating A/B tests to measure the impact of SEO efforts. Guide SEO Analysts in gathering data, identifying trends, and presenting actionable insights to inform strategic decisions.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in marketing, business, or related field
- Experience: 5+ years of proven experience in an SEO-driven role
- Proficient in technical SEO concepts, content marketing, and search marketing
- Expertise in some or all of the following: overall SEO strategy and execution, keyword research and optimization, user intent, internal and backlinking strategies, analytics and reporting, mobile optimization and technical SEO
- Professional SEO certification is preferred
- Seasoned project management skills, a strong sense of initiative, attention to detail and the ability to work
- Bonus Skills:
- Previous experience in a digital agency or digital marketing role.
- Previous management experience is preferred, but not always required.
- Professional SEO certification is preferred.
- Experience with the technical aspects of various CMS and server configurations.
- Skill set must include strong CMS, Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint skills.
Example Job Descriptions (Click to expand)
Looking for examples of job description/postings for SEO Manager roles? Below are two examples from successful placements here at SEOJobs.com
SEO Manager Example Job Description
SmartRecruiters is seeking an SEO Manager with B2B and SaaS experience. We want someone that can take their knowledge of SEO and data analytics to dramatically improve our organic search results. This individual will define and execute the SEO strategy for content, technical improvements, SEO platforms, reporting, site auditing, and our blog, on a global scale.
This role will sit on the Marketing Operations team, reporting to the Director of Marketing Operations. The Marketing Operations team also includes our Marketing Web Development team.
We are looking for someone who has had success in their current or previous role in taking their companies SEO to the next level. The primary metric this candidate will be held to is pipeline generated through organic search.
As a SEO Manager you will:
- SEO content strategy and optimization for both new and existing pages (including marketing website, blog, etc)
- Own and plan creation of new pages to improve rankings
- Write content where needed for improving current pages or adding new pages
- Review and fix on-page technical SEO issues across our domain
- Monitor and improve SEO statistics such as click rate, bounce rate, redirects, and others
- Review and manage link building, plan and execute on new backlinking opportunities and campaigns
- Create easy-to-read reporting through modern SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, or Screaming Frog and Google Analytics (GA4).
- Work with content team on blog optimization for both new and existing articles
- Meet weekly with content on SEO results and strategies to drive new success
- Work with EMEA on SEO localization strategy and implementation
- Stay up to date on latest SEO strategies
Qualifications
- 4 – 6 years of SEO experience
- Great communicator – must be proactive
- Experience dealing with SEO with search engines like Google, Bing, and others
- Detailed knowledge of Google Analytics(GA4), Google Search Console, and other SEO tools and their use to direct SEO analysis
- Great organization skills and attention to detail
- Nice to have
- Familiarity with AI and Machine Learning in SEO.
- Understanding of International SEO strategies and implementation.
- Strong Analytical Skills with experience in data-driven decision making.
- Knowledge of Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress or Drupal.A59
SEO Manager Example Job Description
LaunchDarkly is seeking an experienced and creative SEO Manager with a knack for developing traffic and driving conversions with organic search. With a strong content focus, you’ll collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to use SEO to engage everyone from developers to product managers, engineering leaders, CTOs, and founders. You’ll own the success of our SEO program, championing best practices and fostering enthusiasm for SEO at all levels.
Responsibilities:
- Develop new organic search traffic that builds LaunchDarkly’s profile within the developer and engineering leadership communities, ultimately leading to more positive business outcomes
- Build LaunchDarkly’s SEO content roadmap, and collaborate with stakeholders throughout the marketing organization to execute on the roadmap
- Work closely with the data to analyze, report and optimize SEO performance, making data-driven decisions to enhance the program
- Use SEO tools (e.g., SEMRush, Google Search Console, etc.) to monitor, analyze and optimize search performance
- Collaborate cross-functionally with the web team, Demand Generation team, Developer Relations, and other stakeholders to ensure SEO best practices are integrated into broader marketing strategies
- Evangelize SEO best practices across the organization, building enthusiasm around SEO
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the SEO program, regularly testing and refining strategies
Qualifications:
- 5+ years experience in SEO, with a strong background in SEO content strategy
- Deep understanding of software development, including the ability to effectively communicate with developers, engineering leaders, product leaders and founders
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with data and make informed decisions
- Experience working cross-functionally within a marketing organization
- Excellent communication skills, with a passion for SEO and driving its success across an organization
- Results-oriented with a collaborative and proactive mindset
Pay:
Target pay range for a Level P3 in San Francisco/Bay Area: $114,000 – $134,000*
*Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), health, vision, and dental insurance, and mental health benefits in addition to salary.
SEO Manager Career Progression
| SEO Analyst |
|---|
| The SEO Analyst will manage discovery and performance trending of the in-house managed SEO program, and work with a team in a cross-functional and fast-paced environment to improve the search experience for customers. |
| SEO Manager |
|---|
| This is your current position |
| SEO Director |
|---|
| An SEO Director focuses on the overall strategy, vision, and long-term goals of an organization’s SEO efforts. They oversee multiple teams, manage high-level relationships, and align SEO initiatives with broader business objectives. The SEO Director is responsible for big-picture thinking, setting the direction, and ensuring all SEO activities contribute to company growth. In short, the SEO Director leads and defines the strategy, while the SEO Manager executes and ensures the strategy’s success. |
Prefer A More Specialized SEO Role? Learn More:
Frequently Asked Questions
What career progression is available for an SEO Manager?
SEO Managers can progress to more senior roles such as SEO Director, Digital Marketing Manager, or even VP of Marketing. Specialization into areas like technical SEO, content strategy, or data are also common path for SEO Managers. SEOJobs.com aims to provide the highest quality SEO Manager roles.
What is the difference between an SEO Manager and an SEO Analyst?
An SEO Manager oversees the entire SEO strategy, making decisions on how to execute those strategies and working closely with other teams to ensure goals are met. An SEO Analyst typically focuses on research and analysis to implement those strategies set by the SEO Manager.
How many years of experience do companies ask SEO Managers to have?
On average, companies typically ask SEO Managers to have between 3 to 5 years of experience. For more senior SEO Manager positions or those at larger companies, the requirement may increase to 5 to 7 years of experience. You’ll find examples of each at SEOJobs.com.
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