Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership Define and own the long-term vision, strategic direction and roadmap for SEO across dentsu. Establish a clear ambition for the future of SEO, ensuring alignment with wider business objectives and client priorities. Lead the evolution of dentsu's integrated SEO proposition across Technical SEO, Content SEO, Authority Building and emerging Search innovations. Ensure SEO remains connected to the wider marketing ecosystem, working closely with Experience, Media, Analytics, Content and Performance teams. Develop and maintain a multi-year strategy that positions dentsu as a recognised leader in organic search. Product & Proposition Ownership Own the development and evolution of SEO as a strategic product offering. Identify opportunities to create differentiated services, frameworks and methodologies that strengthen dentsu's market position. Translate industry change into scalable solutions that drive client performance and commercial growth. Ensure the SEO proposition remains future-focused, innovative and commercially competitive. Drive consistency of product quality and strategic excellence across all SEO engagements. Community & Capability Leadership Jointly lead and develop dentsu's SEO community alongside Technical and Content SEO leadership. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, excellence and continuous learning. Create frameworks that support capability development across all levels of the SEO organisation. Mentor senior SEO leaders and contribute to succession planning across the practice. Act as a visible and inspiring leader for the wider SEO community. Commercial Growth Be accountable for driving revenue growth and commercial success within the SEO practice. Identify opportunities to expand SEO services across existing clients and new sectors. Support major pitches and strategic growth opportunities. Partner with client leadership teams to develop growth plans and identify new revenue streams. Contribute to annual business planning, forecasting and proposition development. Client Leadership Act as a senior strategic advisor to key clients when required. Support executive-level client conversations around Search strategy, performance and marketing transformation. Influence client investment strategies through insight-led consultancy. Provide specialist strategic leadership on complex or business-critical engagements. Help establish long-term client partnerships that drive growth and retention. Industry Influence & Thought Leadership Represent dentsu externally as a recognised authority in SEO and organic growth. Develop thought leadership programmes that enhance dentsu's profile and reputation. Participate in industry events, conferences, publications and research initiatives. Build relationships with search platforms, industry bodies and technology partners. Champion innovation and best practice across the wider Search industry. Professional Skills Proven ability to define strategic vision and transform it into actionable business outcomes. Deep expertise across Technical SEO, Content SEO and modern Search ecosystems. Strong understanding of how SEO contributes to wider marketing and business performance objectives. Commercially astute with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and profitability. Outstanding leadership capabilities with experience influencing large specialist communities. Ability to build credibility and influence at executive and C-suite levels. Strong communication, storytelling and presentation skills. Highly collaborative with the ability to work effectively across complex matrix organisations. Innovative, forward-thinking and passionate about the future of Search. Outputs A clearly defined and widely adopted SEO vision and strategic roadmap. Growth in SEO revenue, profitability and client retention. A highly engaged and connected SEO community. Increased market recognition of dentsu's SEO proposition. Stronger integration across Technical SEO, Content SEO and adjacent capabilities. Successful development of new SEO products and commercial opportunities. Increased contribution of SEO to new business success. Industry-leading standards of strategic thinking, innovation and client impact.

Requirements

• Significant senior leadership experience within SEO, Search or Digital Performance.
• Proven success defining and leading SEO propositions, products or specialist practices.
• Deep expertise across Technical SEO, Content Strategy, Authority Building and organic growth.
• Experience leading large specialist communities or capability functions.
• Demonstrable track record of driving commercial growth through proposition development and innovation.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders, executive leadership teams and major clients.
• Strong experience supporting complex new business opportunities and strategic pitches.
• Established reputation within the SEO industry, with evidence of thought leadership, market influence or community contribution.

Benefits

• This is a Fixed Term role for 12 months.
• This is a hybrid working role with the expectation that you will be in our London office 2 times a week.
• As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.
• Inclusion and Diversity At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners, and communities. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Beyond recruitment, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We recognize the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements for all roles. If you need reasonable adjustments due to a disability or medical condition during our recruitment process, please contact us at accommodations@dentsu.com, quoting the reference number of the role that you are applying for. Your needs will be handled with respect and confidentiality to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.