SEO Leadership Recruitment -
Hire Heads of SEO and Directors
In the hyper-competitive digital landscape of 2025, organic search is no longer just a traffic channel - it is a primary revenue driver and a critical brand asset. To dominate the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) and secure long-term market share, you cannot rely solely on junior execution. You need visionary leadership.
This guide outlines how to secure the industry's top strategic minds, specifically designed for employers seeking to hire Heads of SEO and Directors who can transform their digital performance.
Why SEO Leadership Matters
The difference between a stagnating site and a market leader often sits with a single strategic hire. An SEO Manager executive search isn't just about filling a seat; it's about finding a "Digital Captain" who can steer your ship through Google’s algorithmic volatility.
1. Moving from Execution to Strategy Junior teams execute tasks; leaders define vision.
A Head of SEO doesn't just check keywords; they align organic search with your broader commercial goals, ensuring that every piece of content and technical fix contributes to the P&L. They answer the question: "How does SEO drive our Q4 revenue targets?"
2. Cross-Functional Influence SEO never lives in a silo.
Real growth happens when Product, Engineering, and Content teams work in harmony. SEO leadership roles require individuals with the soft skills to evangelize SEO internally, securing buy-in from the C-suite and ensuring developers prioritize critical technical debt.
3. Future-Proofing Your Business With the rise of AI Overviews (SGE) and zero-click searches, the playbook is changing.
You need a Technical SEO Director who isn't reacting to yesterday's news but is predicting tomorrow's landscape, pivoting your strategy to capture users across the entire funnel.
Roles We Recruit For
Our SEO Head recruitment agency division specializes in placing high-impact leaders who sit at the intersection of technical brilliance and commercial acumen. We don't just fill generalist marketing roles; we hunt for specialists.
Core Leadership Positions:
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Head of SEO: The operational lead responsible for the entire organic channel. They manage the team, own the strategy, and report directly to the CMO or VP of Growth.
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SEO Director: A senior strategic role often found in larger enterprises or agencies. SEO Director recruitment focuses on candidates who can manage multiple stakeholders, oversee large budgets, and drive international expansion.
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Director of Organic Growth: A hybrid role blending SEO, Content, and CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization). These leaders are focused entirely on user acquisition and revenue.
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Technical SEO Lead: For complex platforms (e.g., large e-commerce sites or SaaS aggregators), this role is critical. They speak the language of developers and ensure your site architecture is flawless.
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SEO Team Lead: The bridge between junior execution and senior management. SEO team lead hiringfocuses on candidates ready to step up, mentor juniors, and manage day-to-day workflows.
We also cover niche and emerging variations:
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Senior SEO Manager jobs (often the stepping stone to Head of)
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SEO Strategy Lead recruitment
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SEO Department Head hiring
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International SEO Director (Multilingual & Global focus)
Our Approach to
SEO Executive Recruitment
Finding a leader who understands both Python scripts and P&L sheets is rare. Our SEO executive recruitment process is rigorous, data-led, and designed to uncover the top 1% of talent who aren't actively applying on job boards.
1. The "Commercial-Technical" Audit
We don't just read CVs. We assess candidates on their ability to tie technical actions to commercial outcomes. Can they explain why a migration failed? Can they forecast traffic growth based on a proposed budget?
2. Shadow Search & Headhunting
The best Head of SEO candidates are currently employed and delivering results for your competitors. We map the market to identify top performers. Whether you need an SEO Director London based or a remote strategic lead, we proactively approach passive talent with your unique value proposition.
3. Leadership & Soft Skills Vetting
An SEO leader must manage people, not just algorithms. We screen for "EQ" (Emotional Intelligence)-the ability to mentor junior staff, manage upwards to the board, and handle the pressure of algorithm drops without panic.
4. Alignment with Business Phase
We match the leader to your specific growth stage.
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Startup/Scale-up: Needs a "Builder" who can roll up their sleeves, set up GA4, and hire the first team members.
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Enterprise: Needs a "Diplomat" who can navigate corporate politics, manage agency partners, and incrementally improve a massive domain.
SEO Leadership Hiring FAQs
Q: What is the difference between an SEO Manager and a Head of SEO?
A: Scope and accountability. An SEO Manager typically oversees execution-managing the agency, checking rankings, and fixing errors. AHead of SEO owns the strategy, budget, and commercial forecast. They are responsible for the "Why," while the Manager is responsible for the "How."
Q: What are the current SEO Director salary benchmarks in the UK?
A: Salaries vary by location and company size, but for 2025/2026, typical benchmarks are:
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Head of SEO: £75,000 - £110,000
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SEO Director: £100,000 - £150,000+
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Senior SEO Manager: £60,000 - £85,000
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Note: London-based roles typically command a 15-20% premium.
Q: What SEO leadership interview questions should I ask?
A: Move beyond "What tools do you use?" and ask strategic scenario questions:
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"If our organic traffic dropped 40% overnight, walk me through your first 2 hours of investigation." (Tests crisis management & technical process).
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"How would you justify a £50k investment in a content hub to a CFO who only cares about immediate ROI?" (Tests commercial communication).
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"Describe a time you had to convince a Product Manager to prioritize an SEO fix over a new feature."(Tests stakeholder management).
Q: How long does it take to hire a Head of SEO?
A: Senior SEO leadership positions UK wide typically take 8-12 weeks to fill due to notice periods and the scarcity of high-level talent. Using a specialist SEO Head recruitment agency can reduce this timeline by ensuring you only meet pre-vetted, motivated candidates.
Q: Should I hire a 'Technical' or 'Content' focused leader?
A: This depends on your business model. Large e-commerce sites generally need a technically-skewed Director to manage millions of pages and faceted navigation. Publishers or B2B SaaS companies often benefit more from a content-strategic leader who understands authority and topical relevance.
Ready to Secure Your SEO Leader?
Your organic growth is too important to leave to chance. Whether you need a visionary SEO Director to lead a global expansion or a hands-on Head of SEO to build your function from scratch, we have the network to deliver.
Don't let your competitors own the search results. Contact our team today to discuss your SEO leadership careers requirements and get connected with top talent available in your sector.