Job Description

Location:

2 days in Bournemouth office / 3 days optional WFH

Role Overview

As SEO Manager, you play a pivotal role in driving our clients' organic growth strategies and leading best-practice SEO delivery across the agency. You will own the strategic direction of SEO as a channel, mentor SEO implementers, and collaborate closely with production and client services teams to ensure effective, joined-up delivery. This role also supports new business and upsell opportunities, leads the development of SEO processes and documentation, and ensures SEO is well-represented across client pitches, planning, and delivery.

You'll lead in client conversations speaking confidently about SEO performance, strategy, and opportunities, and representing SEO both internally and externally with clarity and passion.

Key Responsibilities

1. SEO Strategy

Develop and execute innovative SEO strategies tailored to client needs, across ecommerce and lead gen, B2B and B2C. Identify opportunities for organic growth and increased visibility. Lead on SEO documentation and internal templates to maintain high standards of delivery across the agency Stay proactive in suggesting strategic improvements based on performance or algorithm changes

2. Client Management & New Business

Oversee our portfolio of SEO clients, ensuring strategies are well thought-out, appropriate for the size of the client, and likely to drive results. Confidently lead SEO conversations on client calls--sharing insights, speaking to results, and highlight opportunities and upsells (when appropriate). Provide insights, reports, and strategic recommendations. Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Support the agency founder on new business pitches including SEO audits, recommendations, and estimated quotes. Activate new clients SEO strategies including leading on the SEO strategy tasks and timeline, then working with implementors to deliver the SEO retainer.

3. Team Leadership & Development

Mentor SEO implementers, supporting personal development and skill growth Conduct regular training sessions Foster a high-performance culture within the SEO team. Lead monthly internal SEO meetings, encouraging shared learning, updates on algorithm changes, and confidence in tool usage and reporting

4. Technical SEO

Oversee technical audits and site architecture improvements. Work closely with the production team to support new website launches, including pre- and post-launch SEO checks Work with our SEO specalists to provide direction on page speed, indexing issues, schema markup, mobile performance, and overall site health Own and evolve the agency-wide process for site migrations and SEO delivery Ensure mobile-friendliness and proper indexing of client websites. Lead on SEO tracking strategy, including setup via Google Tag Manager and supporting advanced implementations (e.g., server-side tracking)

5. Content & On-Page SEO

Collaborate with content teams to optimise on-page elements, including metadata, heading structure, internal linking, and keyword targeting Oversee keyword strategies, competitor analysis, and on-page optimisation Develop keyword strategies and oversee content optimisation. Proactively review client content plans and flag opportunities to enhance performance or improve alignment with SEO strategy

6. Analytics & Performance Tracking

Use SEO tools (GA4, GSC, Ahrefs, SEMrush, AWR, Looker Studio, etc.) to monitor performance and identify opportunities Combine GSC and third-party ranking data to deliver actionable insights and benchmarking Analyse data to identify opportunities and report against performance KPIs. Provide actionable insights based on performance metrics. Help evolve SEO reporting to focus on impact--ranking gains, traffic growth, featured snippets--alongside traditional KPIs

7. Innovation & Trend Analysis

Stay updated on the latest SEO trends, algorithm updates, and best practices. Explore AI-driven search developments and automation. Continuously refine SEO strategies based on emerging best practices. Share innovations and updates in internal SEO meetings and proactively apply learnings to client accounts

8. Workshops & Presentations

Support client workshops and discovery sessions Confidently present findings, insights, and recommendations during the workshop Take ownership of SEO input pre, during and post workshop of deliverables and strategy

What benefits can Upperdog offer you?

30 days of annual leave from your first day, plus Bank Holidays Hybrid and flexible working - working in our Bournemouth office Tuesday and Wednesday, with optional WFH for remainder of the week Private healthcare - Including mental health support, therapies and diagnostic Development and events contribution - towards any additional learning such as online courses, subscriptions or reading materials to help you expand your knowledge Gym membership / subsidised parking Referral fee - bonus referral for any new starter or client Monthly team lunches Quarterly team building - from the New Forest water park to crazy golf! Regular appraisals - which clear objectives, training and development plans Pension scheme Good office location in central Bournemouth with nearby shops and cafes, located next to the gardens and 5 minutes from the beach And more...
Salary: Dependent on the candidate

Please no recruitment agencies.

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

Bournemouth BH2 5BD: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

SEO: 3 years (required) SEO Manager: 2 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bournemouth BH2 5BD