SEO TEAM LEAD

CMG (Connective Media Group); South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A performance marketing agency in South Africa is seeking an experienced SEO Team Lead to drive organic growth across client portfolios. The ideal candidate will have 5–8 years in SEO, with a strong technical foundation and proven leadership skills. This role involves developing comprehensive SEO strategies, mentoring a team, and effectively managing client relationships. Successful candidates will thrive in high-pressure environments and be results-driven. This position offers an opportunity to shape SEO practices and lead a talented team.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years in SEO within an agency environment.
• 2+ years managing SEO specialists or a team.
• Experience managing high-pressure client environments.
• Demonstrated results driving traffic, rankings, and revenue growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own end-to-end SEO strategies.
• Lead strategy reviews and identify growth opportunities.
• Conduct technical audits and oversee implementation.
• Mentor and develop a team of SEO specialists.

Skills

SEO strategy development

Technical SEO

Content SEO

Client management

Analytical skills

Tools

Google Search Console

Google Analytics 4

Ahrefs

Screaming Frog

Sitebulb

Job description

About CMG

CMG is a US-based performance marketing agency with a global workforce, specializing in the healthcare sector. We help healthcare brands maximize ROI through data-driven strategies, precision targeting, and measurable results that fuel sustainable growth.

Agile, entrepreneurial, and results-obsessed, CMG combines deep healthcare knowledge with cutting‑edge performance marketing to deliver impact where it matters most: driving client growth and measurable return on investment.

Role Overview

The SEO Team Lead is responsible for driving organic growth performance across CMG’s client portfolio while leading and developing a team of SEO specialists. This role requires deep proficiency across the four pillars of SEO: Technical SEO, On‑Page / Content SEO, Off‑Page / Authority Building, and Local SEO. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise, strategic thinking, client leadership, and operational discipline. They must be capable of managing demanding client environments while building a high‑performing, accountable SEO team.

Responsibilities

SEO Strategy and Performance Ownership

• Develop and own end‑to‑end SEO strategies aligned to client commercial goals
• Translate business objectives into measurable SEO KPIs (traffic, rankings, revenue, conversions, MQLs, etc.)
• Lead strategy reviews and roadmap planning
• Identify growth opportunities across technical, content, authority, and local channels
• Ensure SEO integrates seamlessly with PPC, content, web dev, and CRM strategies
• Drive measurable ROI and defend performance in senior client conversations

Subject Matter Expertise

Technical SEO

• Conduct and oversee technical audits (crawlability, indexation, site architecture, CWV, schema, rendering, etc.)
• Work closely with dev teams on implementation and QA
• Manage migrations, domain changes, and major technical rollouts
• Advanced use of tools such as Screaming Frog, GSC, GA4, Ahrefs/Semrush, Sitebulb

On‑Page and Content SEO

• Develop content strategies aligned to search intent and funnel stages
• Guide keyword research and content mapping frameworks
• Optimise site structure, internal linking, metadata, and content performance
• Partner with content team to ensure high‑quality, scalable output
• Analyse and improve engagement metrics and conversion pathways

Off‑Page and Authority Building

• Lead ethical link‑building and digital PR initiatives
• Monitor backlink health and competitor authority strategies
• Build scalable outreach frameworks
• Manage risk mitigation (toxic links, algorithm updates)

Local SEO

• Optimise Google Business Profiles
• Develop citation strategies and local authority building
• Implement review generation frameworks
• Manage multi‑location strategies for clients

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of SEO specialists
• Set clear KPIs and performance standards
• Conduct weekly delivery reviews and monthly performance evaluations
• Ensure workload balancing and capacity planning
• Create SOPs and scalable frameworks for delivery excellence
• Elevate team technical depth through training and best‑practice sharing
• Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement

Client Leadership and Account Management

• Serve as senior SEO lead on key demanding accounts
• Confidently present strategies, reports, and performance insights
• Manage expectations and push back where necessary
• Handle escalations professionally and commercially
• Ensure clear reporting frameworks and narrative‑driven insights
• Protect scope and manage change requests effectively

Required Skills and Experience

• 5–8+ years in SEO within an agency environment
• 2+ years managing SEO specialists or a team
• Experience managing high‑pressure client environments
• Demonstrated results driving traffic, rankings, and revenue growth

Technical Skills

• Advanced technical SEO knowledge
• Strong analytical capability (GA4, GSC, Looker Studio, etc.)
• Deep understanding of search intent and content frameworks
• Familiarity with CMS platforms (WordPress, Shopify, Webflow)
• Understanding of CRO and UX fundamentals
• Experience with AI tools for SEO workflows is preferred
• Adaptable and open to feedback, with a desire to learn and grow