SEO & AI-Search Director Contract

Client of Salt; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 759,000 - 1,164,000; Full time

Job summary

SALT is supporting a globally recognised advertising agency in the search for an experienced freelance SEO & AI-Search Director to lead a major programme for a large retail and lifestyle organisation operating across the GCC and MENA region. You will initially support the development and presentation of the strategic proposal before taking responsibility for leading the account upon appointment.

This is a highly visible role requiring strong group-level search expertise, senior stakeholder

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading group-level SEO programmes across multiple brands and markets.
• Experience with GCC or MENA markets in retail/lifestyle/entertainment.
• Knowledge of AI Search, answer engines and Generative Engine Optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the Group-wide SEO/AI Search strategy across multiple brands and markets.
• Lead a multidisciplinary delivery team and establish governance, reporting and SLAs.
• Coordinate with SEM, media agency, tech teams and partners; present proposals and case studies.

Skills

SEO leadership

AI Search

Stakeholder management

Cross-brand coordination

Job description

SALT is supporting a globally recognised advertising agency in the search for an experience freelance SEO & AI-Search Director to lead a major search programme for a large retail and lifestyle organisation operating across the GCC and MENA region. You will initially support the development and presentation of the strategic proposal before taking responsibility for leading the account upon appointment. This is a highly visible position requiring strong Group-level search expertise, senior stakeholder management and the ability to coordinate activity across multiple brands, markets, domains and agency partners.

Key responsibilities

Own and shape the Group-wide search strategy across SEO App Store Optimisation and AI Search GEO ensuring individual brands operate within a coherent strategic framework. Lead a multidisciplinary delivery team comprising senior SEO ASO GEO and content specialists. Establish the account's governance model including reporting structures, quarterly business reviews, service-level agreements and brand approval processes. Act as the senior strategic contact for Group stakeholders and individual brand marketing teams. Manage the evolving scope of the programme as additional brands, markets and domains are introduced. Coordinate effectively with the organisation's SEM, media agency, digital agency, technology teams and other specialist partners. Contribute to the development and presentation of the proposal including the methodology, team structure and relevant case studies. Maintain a strong commercial overview of scope, deliverables, service levels and a substantial multi-business-unit retainer.

Essential experience

Demonstrable experience leading Group-level or portfolio-wide SEO programmes across multiple brands, domains and international markets. Strong experience delivering search programmes within the GCC or MENA region, ideally across retail, lifestyle, entertainment, food and beverage, or real estate. Experience leading SEO programmes across both Arabic- and English-language markets. A well-developed perspective on AI Search, answer engines and Generative Engine Optimisation, supported by examples of relevant work. Proven experience leading multidisciplinary search teams.

Rates depend on experience and client requirements.