SEO Executive Job Description
Clear, role-specific job description copy to attract candidates who can plan and deliver organic search improvements across content, technical and outreach channels.
What does a SEO Executive professional do?
An SEO Executive improves a website’s organic visibility through on-page, technical and content-focused SEO work, plus regular measurement and reporting.
SEO Executive job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
SEO Executive
About the role
[Company name] is recruiting an SEO Executive to manage and grow organic search performance for our website. You will run keyword research, optimise site content and carry out technical SEO audits; work closely with content creators and developers; and report on organic traffic, rankings and conversion metrics. This is a [full-time / part-time] role based in [Location] with [remote / hybrid / office] working options and a salary of [Salary range].
Key responsibilities
- Plan and execute on-page SEO: title tags, headings, meta descriptions, internal linking and content optimisation.
- Conduct keyword research and turn findings into content briefs and optimisation recommendations.
- Perform technical SEO audits (site speed, crawlability, indexability, redirects, structured data) and work with developers to implement fixes.
- Use analytics and search-console data to monitor performance, identify issues and report trends to stakeholders.
- Support content teams with SEO best practice, content planning and editorial optimisation.
- Manage link-building outreach and partnerships in line with white-hat SEO practices.
- Track and report on KPIs such as organic traffic, rankings, click-through rate and conversion metrics.
- Run simple A/B tests or UX experiments with content and meta to improve organic click-through and engagement.
Essential skills and experience
- Proven practical experience in on-page and technical SEO for live websites.
- Familiarity with web analytics and reporting (such as Google Analytics / GA4) and Google Search Console.
- Experience using keyword research and site-auditing tools (for example site crawlers, rank trackers or keyword tools).
- Strong written communication skills for writing content briefs, reports and optimisation guidance.
- Ability to interpret data and make clear, prioritised SEO recommendations.
- Comfortable working with developers and non-technical colleagues; basic HTML/CSS understanding.
Desirable
- Experience with a major CMS (for example WordPress, Drupal) and content publishing workflows.
- Familiarity with technical SEO topics such as schema markup, hreflang and canonicalisation.
- Experience in an agency or in-house marketing team, or with e-commerce platforms.
- Basic SQL, Python or scripting skills for data analysis (beneficial but not required).
- Knowledge of paid search principles and how PPC and SEO interact.
What we offer
- [Pension scheme]
- [Annual leave entitlement + bank holidays]
- [Flexible / hybrid working options]
- [Training and development budget]
- [Healthcare or private medical insurance]
- [Season ticket loan or travel allowance]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an SEO Executive role?
An SEO Executive is responsible for improving a website’s organic search presence by combining on-page optimisation, content support and technical fixes. They analyse search and site data, translate insights into measurable actions and work with content producers and developers to implement changes. The role suits someone comfortable with both analytical reporting and hands-on optimisation tasks.
Core focus
Improve organic visibility through keyword research, on-page optimisation, technical audits and link-building.
Key outcomes
Increase organic traffic, improve rankings for priority keywords and raise organic conversion rates.
Typical team
Works with content creators, developers, marketing managers and occasionally external agencies.
Working pattern
Usually full-time within marketing; many roles offer hybrid or flexible working.
Typical SEO Executive responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Plan and execute on-page SEO: title tags
Plan and execute on-page SEO: title tags, headings, meta descriptions, internal linking and content optimisation.
Conduct keyword research
Conduct keyword research and turn findings into content briefs and optimisation recommendations.
Perform technical SEO audits (site speed
Perform technical SEO audits (site speed, crawlability, indexability, redirects, structured data) and work with developers to implement fixes.
Use analytics
Use analytics and search-console data to monitor performance, identify issues and report trends to stakeholders.
Support content teams with SEO best practice
Support content teams with SEO best practice, content planning and editorial optimisation.
Manage link-building outreach
Manage link-building outreach and partnerships in line with white-hat SEO practices.
Track
Track and report on KPIs such as organic traffic, rankings, click-through rate and conversion metrics.
Run simple A/B tests or
Run simple A/B tests or UX experiments with content and meta to improve organic click-through and engagement.
SEO Executive skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven practical experience in on-page and technical SEO for live websites.
- Familiarity with web analytics and reporting (such as Google Analytics / GA4) and Google Search Console.
- Experience using keyword research and site-auditing tools (for example site crawlers, rank trackers or keyword tools).
- Strong written communication skills for writing content briefs, reports and optimisation guidance.
- Ability to interpret data and make clear, prioritised SEO recommendations.
- Comfortable working with developers and non-technical colleagues; basic HTML/CSS understanding.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with a major CMS (for example WordPress, Drupal) and content publishing workflows.
- Familiarity with technical SEO topics such as schema markup, hreflang and canonicalisation.
- Experience in an agency or in-house marketing team, or with e-commerce platforms.
- Basic SQL, Python or scripting skills for data analysis (beneficial but not required).
- Knowledge of paid search principles and how PPC and SEO interact.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a SEO Executive job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
State the priority outcomes
Tell candidates which metrics they will be judged on (e.g. organic sessions, keyword rankings, conversions) so seniority and focus are clear.
Differentiate must-have vs nice-to-have
Separate essential technical skills (audits, analytics) from desirable extras (Python, PPC) to avoid deterring good applicants.
Give everyday examples
Include a couple of typical tasks (e.g. ‘run weekly crawl and prioritise fixes’, ‘create content briefs from keyword gaps’) to set expectations.
Mention tools and workflows
List the main tool types you expect them to use (analytics, search console, site-crawler, CMS) and how they will interact with other teams.
SEO Executive salary considerations
Salary for an SEO Executive depends on multiple factors. Rather than a single market figure, consider the following influences when setting a pay range for this role.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What SEO Executive candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Where is the role based and what are the remote/hybrid expectations?
Candidates want clarity on office attendance, core hours and whether the employer supports flexible working.
Who will I report to and how big is the team?
Knowing the line manager and team size helps candidates judge seniority and progression opportunities.
Which SEO tools and CMS will I use?
Experienced applicants want to know the tech stack (analytics, crawlers, CMS) to assess fit and onboarding needs.
What are the immediate priorities or KPIs for the first 3–6 months?
Clear short-term objectives show candidates what success looks like and whether they can deliver quick impact.
Is there training or progression available?
Candidates often ask about budget for courses, conferences and clear career paths to more senior SEO roles.
Where to post a SEO Executive job
SEO Executive roles attract candidates from both specialist SEO communities and broader marketing channels. Use a mix of national job boards for reach, marketing and SEO-specific boards or Slack communities to target experienced practitioners, and LinkedIn to reach passive candidates and agency professionals. If the role requires technical SEO or e-commerce experience, add sector-specific forums and developer communities to reach people with the right technical background.
Related marketing / digital job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
SEO Executive job description FAQs
How should we test a candidate’s SEO skills?
Use a practical assessment such as a short technical audit of a sample page or site, a keyword-gap analysis task and a discussion of past campaigns. Review measurable outcomes from their CV and request examples of reports or case studies rather than relying solely on interview answers.
How many years’ experience should we ask for?
Years are a rough guide. Prioritise demonstrable capability and outcomes: someone with fewer years but clear results can be a better fit than a longer-tenured candidate with limited impact.
Should we publish a salary range in the advert?
Yes. Publishing a realistic salary range increases application quality and improves transparency; set the range based on role scope, location and progression expectations.
Is it better to hire agency or in-house SEO talent?
Agency hires bring broad campaign experience and client-facing skills; in-house hires often offer deeper knowledge of a single product or sector. Choose based on whether you need cross-sector ideas or product-specific expertise.
What interview questions reveal hands-on SEO ability?
Ask candidates to explain a specific optimisation they led, how they prioritised fixes after an audit, and to interpret a simple analytics chart. Follow up with scenario questions about handling drops in traffic or conflicting stakeholder requests.
Ready to hire an SEO Executive?
Customise this template with your specific tools, KPIs and working pattern, then advertise across general and specialist channels to reach candidates with the right mix of technical and content skills.
