Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Specialist
Intelligent People is a London, UK based executive recruitment agency specialising in Digital Marketing.
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The Role of the SEO Specialist
An SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Specialist is responsible for improving a website’s search engine rankings, ensuring the site is visible and attracting relevant traffic. This involves optimising content, technical aspects of the site and building quality backlinks. SEO Specialists are the backbone of any digital strategy, helping businesses reach their target audience organically through search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo.
An SEO Specialist plays a crucial role in driving sustainable online growth, improving user experience and increasing brand visibility in the digital marketplace. Their role is to enhance organic (non-paid) traffic by optimising website content, structure and other factors to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
What are the main objectives of an SEO Specialist?
The role of an SEO Specialist is dynamic and multi-faceted. Objectives can vary depending on the company and its specific goals. However, here are six common objectives:
Keyword research
Identifying search terms that your target audience is using.
On-page optimisation
Tweaking content, images and HTML to ensure best practices.
Technical SEO
Addressing technical issues like slow page load times, mobile responsiveness and proper indexation of the site.
Off-page optimisation
Developing link-building strategies and managing backlinks.
SEO audits
Analysing website performance and offering solutions to enhance rankings.
Content strategy
Collaborating with content creators to ensure content is SEO-friendly.
Hiring in 2024?
Discovering the ideal timing to hire can be a challenging task. This guide provides insights into the role, the optimal period to bring one on board depending on your business strategy and expansion plans, as well as the necessary resources you may require in preparing for the recruitment process.
These resources may include an executive search firm, a set of interview questions, and assessment ideas to aid in the selection process.
Expected salary
In today’s market, a salary for this role would reach a range from £50,000 – £70,000 per year.
There are some factors which may determine the level of salary including:
- The ambitions of the company. Do they have stretching objectives to meet and therefore they need a strong candidate to join?
- The size of company. What funding do they have to secure the best candidate?
- The location of the HQ. Most candidates see a higher salary when commuting to a main city like London or Manchester.
SEO Specialist job description
Company overview:
We are a rapidly growing tech company at the forefront of innovation in [industry/sector]. Our cutting-edge solutions have gained significant traction in the market and we are scaling our operations to capitalise on our success. As we continue to expand, we are seeking a talented and driven SEO Specialist to join our dynamic team.
Role overview:
The SEO Specialist will be responsible for developing, implementing and optimising search engine optimisation strategies to increase organic traffic, improve search rankings and achieve measurable results for our clients or business.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct keyword research to identify opportunities for improving search visibility.
- Develop and implement on-page and off-page SEO strategies to meet campaign goals.
- Perform technical SEO audits and recommend solutions to improve website performance.
- Analyse website data and SEO metrics using tools such as Google Analytics, Search Console and third-party platforms (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs).
- Optimise content for search engines while aligning with user intent and brand tone.
- Build and manage backlinks to improve domain authority and rankings.
- Monitor and report on SEO performance, providing actionable insights and recommendations.
- Stay updated on the latest SEO trends, algorithm updates and best practices.
- Collaborate with content creators, web developers, and marketing teams to ensure SEO best practices are integrated across all channels.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in an SEO role (agency or in-house).
- Strong understanding of SEO tools and software (e.g., Screaming Frog, Yoast SEO, Google Tag Manager).
- Expertise in keyword research, technical SEO, and backlink strategies.
- Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (basic understanding for SEO purposes).
- Analytical mindset with experience interpreting data to make informed decisions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with CMS platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Magento.
- Knowledge of international or local SEO strategies.
- Familiarity with PPC and digital marketing campaigns.
If you are passionate about driving results through SEO and have a proven track record of success, we would love to hear from you. we would love to hear from you. Join our team and be a driving force behind our success as we revolutionise our sector.
Download full job description
Required skills
Technical SEO knowledge: Familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and how these impact SEO.
SEO tools: Proficiency with tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, Screaming Frog and Google Analytics.
Analytical abilities: The ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
Problem-solving skills: Troubleshooting site performance issues or traffic drops.
Communication skills: Explaining SEO concepts to non-technical team members and collaborating across departments.
Adaptability: Keeping up with ever-changing algorithms and industry best practices.
Education requirements
While a degree in marketing, computer science, or a related field is advantageous, it’s not always necessary. Many SEO Specialists advance through experience and self-learning. However, having industry certifications can boost your employability. Here are some key certifications to consider:
- Google Analytics and Search Console Certifications.
- HubSpot or SEMrush SEO Certifications.
- Continuous learning through industry blogs, webinars and conferences is also essential.
Our guide to CVs
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SEO Specialist FAQs
- What is SEO, and why is it important?
- SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the process of improving a website’s visibility on search engines like Google to drive organic traffic. It’s important because higher visibility often leads to increased website traffic, which can drive conversions, improve brand awareness and provide long-term cost-effective marketing.
- Can you explain the difference between organic and paid search?
- Organic search results come from unpaid SEO efforts, such as content optimisation and backlinks, whereas paid search involves advertising, like Google Ads, where you pay for clicks or impressions.
- How do you conduct a technical SEO audit?
- I start with tools like Screaming Frog or SEMrush to identify crawl issues, broken links, and duplicate content. I also check Core Web Vitals, ensure proper use of robots.txt and XML sitemaps, and assess mobile usability and page speed.
- What are canonical tags, and why are they important?
- Canonical tags help search engines identify the primary version of a page, avoiding duplicate content issues. For example, if the same content is accessible via multiple URLs, a canonical tag tells search engines which version to prioritise.
- How do you stay updated with changes in SEO?
- I follow reputable blogs like Moz, Search Engine Journal and Google Search Central. I also participate in webinars, forums and SEO groups to stay informed about the latest algorithm updates and industry trends.
