Title: Head of SEO

Location: London

Department: Content

Reporting to: Global Director of Content Strategy & Performance

Role overview

SEO is the foundation of Time Out’s online audience, and we’re looking for a visionary leader to take our search strategy to the next level. As our Head of SEO, you’ll play a key role within the business, working with teams around the world and spearheading an approach to search that not only drives traffic, engagement and overall audience growth but also ensures that SEO optimisation is baked into everything we do.

You’ll be in charge of a talented team of SEO managers and responsible for their development, ensuring they have the systems and processes they need to provide actionable SEO guidance to teams around the world. You’ll also be our go-to expert on SEO best practices, using the latest industry trends along with competitor analysis and emerging AI opportunities to ensure our various search strategies remain effective.

Naturally, you’ll be comfortable working with data, using your analytical skills to review site performance and translate that into clear summaries for stakeholders at all levels of the business. You’ll also play a crucial role in supporting other teams such as Social, Affiliates and Product when needed, whether it’s the launch of a new franchise partnership or the development of a new product.

Above all else, you’ll be a passionate advocate for SEO, making sure Time Out is at the forefront of an ever-changing digital landscape.

The role is a key one within Time Out’s newly-created Audience Growth & Strategy team – a dynamic unit that is central to ensuring the continued and rapid growth of Time Out’s audience across all our channels.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive SEO strategy aligned with Time Out’s global KPIs, including content optimisation, technical SEO and support for affiliate teams.
Lead and mentor a team of three SEO managers, creating a centre of excellence and ensuring best practices are communicated and followed to ensure our goals are met.
Manage the framework that ensures editors receive regular guidance on what content to create and update in response to SEO opportunities on a daily, monthly and ad hoc basis.
Monitor and analyse site performance using tools including Google Search Console, GA4, SEMrush and Similarweb to provide regular reports and insights for editorial teams and senior stakeholders.
Conduct competitor analysis to stay ahead of industry trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
Stay abreast of the latest SEO trends, algorithm changes, AI developments and best practices to ensure Time Out remains competitive in search rankings.
Oversee and advise on technical SEO to enhance site performance and user experience.
Work closely with the product, engineering and UX teams to ensure SEO best practices are factored into new product developments and Time Out’s overall site structure.
Provide strategic insights and keyword analysis to support new site launches and franchise partnerships.
Support social teams in keyword research for TikTok, YouTube and any new platform launches.

Skills:

Expert in organic search, Google News, Top Stories and Google Discover, and well-versed in technical SEO.
Strong understanding of Google Search Console, GA4 and third-party tools (SEMrush, Similarweb, Screaming Frog). CMS familiarity would be a bonus.
Deep experience in data analysis with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable strategies for a range of different teams, including editorial, affiliates and product.
Demonstrated experience in managing and developing a team.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain SEO concepts to non-technical stakeholders and different teams around the business.

What we look for in a candidate

Time Out is a company filled with individuals as diverse as the cities we are in and cover. At the same time there are common characteristics and values we all share. To join our team, you’ll want to…

Be commercially astute
Either have experience at or want to dive headfirst into a fast-paced transformative company in pursuit of excellence
Think globally
Have excellent communication and relationship building skills
Have a high sense of ownership, urgency and drive
Be a team player

About our culture

At Time Out Group we believe in diversity and equal opportunity for all people. We do not discriminate against external or internal candidates on the basis of age; disability; gender, gender reassignment; race; religion or belief; sexual orientation; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity. We believe that diversity develops creativity and enables personal and professional growth where we all learn from each other. We believe in an open culture where ideas are shared candidly and where there is no fear of failure, but rather an understanding that we must experiment and have the freedom to succeed. We believe that everyone has the right to express themselves as they are as this enriches us all. We believe in an open world, social justice, and the pursuit of happiness, after all, we are in the happiness business.

Time Out Group plc

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