Head of Digital

Ronald James Group; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ronald James Group is recruiting an Organic Search Director to own and grow the agency's organic search offering from Newcastle. You will lead a team of SEO, content and digital PR specialists, shaping performance, developing people and driving commercial growth.

The role focuses on leadership, client delivery and service development in a fast-evolving search landscape, including AI-driven GEO strategies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a service line within an agency.
• Track record of managing commercial targets, ideally with P&L responsibility.
• Experience leading managers and specialist teams, developing people and improving performance.
• Strong commercial judgement across forecasting, resourcing, pricing and profitability.
• Ability to introduce practical processes and embed them across a team.
• A sound understanding of SEO and digital marketing, including AI trends in organic search.
• Confident communication and ability to build credibility with senior clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Commercial ownership: Manage revenue, profitability, forecasting, pricing and team utilisation.
• Team leadership: Support and develop senior managers and specialists, setting clear objectives and managing performance.
• Career development: Build training plans and progression opportunities that strengthen the team’s capabilities.
• Resource planning: Align capacity and skills with client requirements, planning recruitment and freelance support where needed.
• Delivery quality: Establish consistent processes and quality standards across the service.
• Client relationships: Provide senior support on key accounts, building trust and supporting retention.
• Business growth: Partner with sales and account teams on pitches, proposals and opportunities to grow existing accounts.

Skills

Agency leadership

P&L management

Team leadership

SEO expertise

Commercial planning

Client relationships

Job description

Are you an agency leader who knows how to grow a team, strengthen client relationships and deliver commercial results?

We’re recruiting an Organic Search Director for an established digital marketing agency. This is an opportunity to take ownership of an organic search offering, shaping its performance, developing its people and driving growth.

The focus is on leadership, commercial performance and service development, supported by experienced specialists across SEO, content and digital PR.

Please note this is a hybrid role and you must be based in Newcastle.

The role

You’ll lead the organic search team, bringing together the people, processes and commercial planning needed to deliver high-quality work for clients. You’ll also help shape how the agency responds to the changing search landscape, including AI search and generative engine optimisation (GEO).

Your responsibilities will include:

• Commercial ownership: Manage revenue, profitability, forecasting, pricing and team utilisation.
• Team leadership: Support and develop senior managers and specialists, setting clear objectives and managing performance.
• Career development: Build training plans and progression opportunities that strengthen the team’s capabilities.
• Resource planning: Align capacity and skills with client requirements, planning recruitment and freelance support where needed.
• Delivery quality: Establish consistent processes and quality standards across the service.
• Client relationships: Provide senior support on key accounts, building trust and supporting retention.
• Business growth: Partner with sales and account teams on pitches, proposals and opportunities to grow existing accounts.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience leading a service line, department or business function within an agency.
• A track record of managing commercial targets, ideally with P&L responsibility.
• Experience leading managers and specialist teams, developing people and improving performance.
• Strong commercial judgement across forecasting, resourcing, pricing and profitability.
• The ability to introduce practical processes and embed them across a team.
• A sound understanding of SEO and digital marketing, including how AI is changing organic search.
• Confident communication and the ability to build credibility with senior clients and stakeholders.