SEO Team Lead

Ronald James Group; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ronald James Group seeks an experienced SEO Team Lead to own and grow the SEO function within a digital agency environment. You will lead an experienced team, shape client strategy, and collaborate with Digital PR, Content and Paid Media specialists to drive commercial outcomes.

You will be responsible for developing client relationships, guiding SEO strategy across key accounts and contributing to new business opportunities, while ensuring SEO aligns with broader business goals and ROI targets.

Qualifications

• Strong SEO experience within a digital agency
• Experience leading SEO specialists
• Understanding of how SEO contributes to business outcomes beyond rankings
• Experience growing client relationships and revenue
• Comfort speaking with senior client stakeholders and commercially-minded conversations

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of SEO specialists
• Take ownership of SEO strategy and performance across key client accounts
• Ensure campaigns focus on meaningful commercial outcomes (leads, revenue, ROI)
• Grow the SEO function through client development and new business
• Lead SEO input into pitches and senior-level client conversations
• Manage team performance, development and future hiring requirements
• Act as a senior escalation point across key accounts
• Collaborate with Paid Media, Content, Digital PR, Social and Client Services teams
• Help evolve the agency’s search approach with AI/LLMs as the landscape changes
• Take ownership of the commercial performance and growth of the SEO function

Skills

SEO leadership

People management

Client relationship

Digital strategy

Team coaching

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

We’re working with an established digital agency looking for an experienced SEO Team Lead to take ownership of and grow its SEO function. This is a senior, commercially focused position combining SEO leadership, people management, client strategy and business growth. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the direction of the SEO offering while leading an experienced team and working closely with other digital specialists.

The role:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of SEO specialists
• Take ownership of SEO strategy and performance across key client accounts
• Ensure campaigns are focused on meaningful commercial outcomes including leads, revenue and ROI
• Help grow the SEO function through existing client development and new business
• Lead SEO input into pitches and senior-level client conversations
• Manage team performance, development and future hiring requirements
• Act as a senior escalation point across key accounts
• Collaborate with Paid Media, Content, Digital PR, Social and Client Services teams
• Help evolve the agency’s approach to search as AI and LLMs continue to change the landscape
• Take ownership of the commercial performance and continued growth of the SEO function

What we’re looking for:

• Strong SEO experience within a digital agency environment
• Previous experience leading or managing SEO specialists
• A strong understanding of how SEO contributes to wider business outcomes, not just rankings and traffic
• Experience developing client relationships and growing accounts/revenue
• Strong coaching and people management skills
• Confidence working with senior client stakeholders and having commercial conversations
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple digital channels
• A strong understanding of the changing search landscape, including AI-driven search