Arabic SEO Lead

Salt Digital Recruitment; Dubai; On-site; AED 257,069 - 330,517; Full time

Job summary

Salt Digital Recruitment is looking for an Arabic SEO Lead to drive SEO growth strategy across MENA markets. This role involves defining and executing localized SEO strategies while collaborating with various teams. The ideal candidate is a native Arabic speaker with strong technical SEO knowledge and experience managing SEO for large websites.

Key responsibilities include analyzing market trends, mentoring SEO specialists, and developing culturally relevant content. The role offers growth opportunities in building regional SEO operations.

Qualifications

• Proven success managing SEO for large-scale websites.
• Ability to create localized growth strategies.
• Experience influencing teams without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute end-to-end SEO strategy for MENA Arabic markets.
• Build and scale local SEO capabilities and mentor specialists.
• Monitor traffic and engagement metrics to inform strategy.

Skills

Native Arabic speaker

Strong understanding of regional dialects

Business-level English proficiency

Technical SEO knowledge

Content strategy expertise

Data analysis skills

Tools

SEO tools and analytics platforms

Job description

About the Team

A fast-growing global technology platform is looking to expand its international growth efforts across Arabic‑speaking markets. The company focuses on empowering creativity and digital experiences for users worldwide and is investing heavily in localized growth strategies rather than simply translating global campaigns. The SEO organization includes specialists across technical SEO, content, analytics, engineering, localization, and growth operations. The Arabic SEO Lead will work across key MENA markets including Saudi Arabia, UAE, GCC, and Egypt, collaborating with both local regional teams and a centralized global SEO organization.

About the Role

This role will lead SEO growth strategy for Arabic‑speaking markets, owning the full SEO function across technical SEO, content strategy, and authority/link‑building initiatives. The position requires defining and scaling localized SEO strategies tailored to regional search behavior, cultural nuances, and evolving discovery channels. The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on execution and involves close collaboration with regional leadership, international SEO stakeholders, product teams, and localization specialists. Key success metrics include organic traffic growth, user acquisition/sign‑ups, engagement and retention, and market penetration growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic SEO Leadership: Own and execute end‑to‑end SEO strategy for MENA Arabic markets.
• Develop market‑specific SEO roadmaps aligned with business growth goals.
• Prioritize initiatives based on ROI, search trends, and user behavior.
• Represent SEO in broader regional planning discussions.
• Team Development: Build and scale local SEO capabilities over time, mentor SEO specialists and contributors, and create a culture of experimentation, ownership, and collaboration.
• Market & Competitive Intelligence: Analyze Arabic search trends, competitors, and audience behavior; identify emerging opportunities and market gaps; use data and insights to validate growth hypotheses.
• Content & Localization Strategy: Partner with localization and creative teams on culturally relevant content; optimize high‑priority content categories; balance localized adaptation with original market‑specific content creation.
• Technical SEO & Authority Building: Maintain strong technical SEO foundations including site speed, mobile optimization, structured data, indexation, hreflang implementation; lead local outreach and authority‑building initiatives.
• Performance Analytics: Define SEO KPIs aligned with business objectives; monitor traffic, visibility, conversions, and engagement metrics; communicate insights and performance updates to stakeholders.
• AI Search & Discovery: Track evolving AI‑driven discovery channels such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI overviews; experiment with AI visibility and discoverability strategies; share learnings to inform broader global SEO initiatives.

Candidate Requirements

• Market Expertise:
  • Native Arabic speaker.
  • Strong understanding of regional dialects and cultural nuances.
  • Business‑level English proficiency.
  • Deep understanding of MENA search behavior and digital ecosystems.
• SEO Leadership Experience:
  • Proven success managing SEO for large‑scale websites.
  • Strong understanding of Technical SEO, Content SEO, and Link‑building.
  • Familiarity with leading SEO tools and analytics platforms.
• Strategic & Analytical Skills:
  • Ability to create localized growth strategies.
  • Strong data analysis and KPI development capabilities.
  • Comfortable making decisions in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments.
• Collaboration & Communication:
  • Strong cross‑functional stakeholder management.
  • Ability to translate technical SEO into business impact.
  • Experience influencing teams without direct authority.
• Ownership & Adaptability:
  • Proactive, self‑directed mindset.
  • Comfortable testing emerging AI‑search strategies.
  • Strong experimentation and learning orientation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling SEO in high‑growth environments.
• Multi‑market or international SEO experience.
• Mobile‑first optimization expertise.
• Familiarity with regional digital ecosystems and social/search platforms.

Growth Opportunities

• Lead SEO strategy for high‑priority international markets.
• Build scalable regional SEO operations.
• Influence global discoverability and AI‑search strategies.
• Develop leadership and cross‑functional collaboration skills.