Head of SEO

We are hiring a Head of SEO to set the direction, commercial strategy and future proposition for ICS-digital's SEO service line. This person will be an accomplished and commercially minded SEO leader who can work closely with our SEO and Digital PR leads to define strategies across technical SEO, on-page, content strategy, off-page SEO, link building and AI search. You will also work closely with the Head of Client Strategy as a senior authority for key and prospective clients, as well as on pitches, audits and proposals, and ensure our SEO proposition is built into wider agency solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Define strategy, proposition, roadmap and standards across technical/on-page SEO, content, Digital PR, managed link building, international and AI-led search.
• Set measurement expectations for organic performance, earned media, authority, link acquisition, brand visibility, and AI citations.
• Own the strategic direction and commercial development of the managed link-building offering, setting standards for publisher quality, supply, pricing, and customer experience.
• Work with the Head of Client Strategy on key client relationships, and lead strategically important pitches, audits, and proposals.
• Own revenue, profitability, gross margin, conversion, and efficiency, and manage budgets, forecasts, and investment decisions.
• Lead the research, testing, and experimentation agenda, and create case studies, whitepapers, and speaking opportunities.

Requirements

• Essential: strong, demonstrable iGaming and regulated industries experience, including link building strategies.
• Significant experience leading an SEO/organic-growth service line in an agency or complex client-service environment.
• Deep strategic knowledge of SEO, authority development, and link building across technical SEO, content, and analytics.
• Strong understanding of Digital PR's contribution to earned media and authority.
• Proven leadership through senior specialists with accountability for delivery.
• Strong commercial leadership experience (revenue, profitability, pricing, forecasting).
• Proposition development and senior client relationship experience.
• Practical understanding of AI-led search adoption.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder-management skills.

Location: Hybrid, flexible working, based in Leeds, UK.

Posted by: Laura Smith, Head of Client Strategy