Head of SEO,

Want the chance to make a significant difference to the performance of our websites and work on exciting projects with the opportunity to develop and grow your career? We're looking for a self-motivated person to join our Marketing team to take the lead on SEO. 

We are looking for an accomplished Head of SEO to take accountability for SEO across our entire portfolio of brands which include Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Motors, Vans Direct and Macklin Motors.   

This role gives the right individual an exciting opportunity to make their mark, influence and contribute directly to the success of the team and business. Using our proprietary platform that is developed and maintained by our internal technology teams, initially, the objective will be to make a dimensional improvement to our search engine visibility with an equal focus on content, customer experience and technical excellence to ensure the websites reflect the best of the Vertu business and this is then reflected in Googles EEAT principles which reward modern, fast and customer centric platforms. 

This is a remote role however we are looking for you to be based around the Manchester area so you are able to work closely with our partners. Travel to our offices in Gateshead will be required. 

Key KPI’s 

Double search visibility by end of FY25 (28th February 2025) – Sistrix/SEO Monitor  Improve key site gaps (EV content, Search, Approved Used)  Grow share of visits vs automotive competitors (Similar Web) 

Key Responsibilities of this role will include:

Lead on the development of our SEO strategy across the Vertu group.  Set SEO performance targets and ensure campaigns are delivered within budget.  Maximise the delivery of the team to support the achievement of our objectives.  Work with our SEO agency partner to deliver sector leading performance.  Work with the Web Platform Board and Tech team colleagues in a matrix fashion to achieve our goals.  Manage SEO budgets across several of our websites.  Mentor, develop and manage the SEO team including HR, Training and Appraisal processes.  Ensure the correct data collection mechanisms are set up to generate reports and insight to inform strategy. Using data and insights to interpret consumer search trends and gain insight and contribute to step-changing business decisions.  Lead on the delivery of actions required from our regular SEO audits.  Monitor and analyse SEO performance using relevant tools.  Monitor and review competitor activity to understand opportunities and threats.  Work closely with the Performance marketing team to deliver on our Unified search strategy.  Work closely with our Data team to gain insight from Customer channel attribution.  Develop relationships and collaborate with stakeholders across the wider business. (Content, Creative, CRO, UX. Field marketing, Dealerships, Ancillary businesses)  Upskilling our development and marketing teams on best-in-class SEO recommendations to improve our KPIs.  Ensure colleagues are up to speed with the latest developments in SEO. 

Skills and experience 

Is this you? Do you have? 

Experience with SEO and leadership experience? Proven track record of successfully creating, managing, and executing SEO campaigns that drive organic growth?  Strong experience in technical SEO, including website architecture and page speed optimisation?  Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex messages clearly?  An ability to interpret data and generate meaningful insight to create solutions and actions?  An ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously?  Demonstrable experience of driving innovation in Digital channels?  An ability to understand best in class practices from the automotive and other industries and adapt and apply them to Vertu? 

Personal traits 

Do you have fire in your belly and a drive to add value and drive performance?  Do you have a curious, inquisitive, highly analytical mind with an aptitude to solving problems?   Are you detail oriented with an ability to interpret trends and communicate insight?  Are you self-motivated and able to drive change with minimal input?  Are you resilient and change focused?  Are you an effective collaborator who is highly motivated with a positive, tenacious attitude?  Are you able to effectively communicate in a simple, easy-to-digest manner to all levels of a business from apprentices to CEOs about SEO? 

We are proud to be the Motor Retailer who invests more in our colleague's personal development than any other, so if you are successful, you can look forward to on-going training opportunities that provide you with the right career path, career progression and a range of benefits you would expect from an employer of choice which includes:

25 days holiday rising with length of service - plus bank holidays Access to our online rewards platform giving you cash back and discounts for multiple retailers Preferential Service Rates Colleague Purchase Scheme Share Incentive Scheme Pension Enhanced Maternity and Paternity