Head of SEO (maternity cover)

Head of SEO (Maternity cover)

Who we are

Artefact is a new generation of data service provider, specialising in data consulting and data-driven digital marketing, dedicated to transforming data into business impact across the entire value chain of organisations. We are proud to say we’re enjoying skyrocketing growth.

Our broad range of data-driven solutions in digital marketing and data consulting are designed to meet our clients’ specific needs, always conceived with a business-centric approach and delivered with tangible results. Our data-driven services are built upon the deep AI expertise we’ve acquired with our 1000+ client base around the globe.

We have over 2000 employees across 26 offices who are focused on accelerating digital transformation. Thanks to a unique mix of company assets: state-of-the-art data technologies, lean AI agile methodologies for fast delivery, and cohesive teams of the finest business consultants, data analysts, data scientists, data engineers, and digital experts, all dedicated to bringing extra value to every client.

Reports to: Managing Director

About the SEO Team

• 20+ strong SEO team based in London and Cornwall, UK

• We are a close-knit team who work hard but also have a lot of fun

• Although we have a hierarchy, we like to operate in an open and inclusive way

• No idea or question is a bad one - if you want to see change, then be the change, and if you want to make something happen, just say

• The team is made up of SEO generalists, technical SEO experts, SEO content writers and Digital PR specialists

• We have great collaboration between our main London office and our satellite Cornwall office. Last year we went on a trip to Cornwall together - we surfed, walked and had fun.

• These trips aren’t mandatory, so if they’re not for you that’s ok too

• We work with clients across automotive, luxury fashion, travel, charity, technology sectors and more!

• The DEI team at Artefact is led by two members of the SEO team - DEI is very important to us

Main Responsibilities

Team

• Support in leading a multidisciplinary SEO team across Technical SEO, Content, Analytics, and Digital PR

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture, supporting career development, capability growth, and delivery excellence across the department

• Facilitate team catch-ups, plus Global SEO calls

• Updating the wider agency in the monthly Townhall RE SEO & Commercials

• Define best practice methodologies, sharing with the wider team and ensure full integration with all Organic projects and ensure high standards of strategic thinking, delivery quality, and client service

• Work closely with senior leadership to support operational planning, team resourcing, commercial priorities, and management of SEO tools and partnerships.

• The role manages direct reports across Technical SEO, Content, and Digital PR

Clients

• Lead integrated SEO and AI Search strategies across a portfolio of enterprise and global clients, ensuring campaigns align with wider marketing and commercial objectives while driving measurable business impact

• Act as a senior strategic advisor on evolving search behaviours, including AI Overviews, LLM visibility, AI assistants, and generative search experiences, translating complex opportunities into actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders

• Facilitate the implementation of efficiencies across SEO/GEO workflows and client deliverables across SEO

• Work closely with other Account Directors and Heads of Department to ensure work produced for clients is best in class, innovative and consistent across all clients

• Track record of growing organic traffic and revenue at scale, with demonstrable commercial impact

• Strong commercial and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust across marketing, product, engineering, and leadership teams

• Demonstrable understanding of how AI can enhance SEO workflows, operational efficiency, and search strategy development

AI Search & Innovation

• Lead thinking around AI Search / GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation)

• Help evolve Artefact’s AI Search methodologies, frameworks, and product offerings

• Advise clients on visibility across platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and Copilot

• Support the development of new measurement frameworks for AI visibility, citations, mentions, and share of voice

• Stay ahead of industry developments and bring innovative thinking into client work and agency propositions

Agency/ Commercial

• Represent Artefact’s SEO and AI Search expertise through thought leadership, industry events, speaking opportunities, and internal enablement initiatives

• Support commercial growth through new business pitches, RFPs, strategic presentations, and identification of client growth opportunities

• Work closely with leadership teams to support commercial performance and growth

Skills and Experience

Essential

• 10+ years’ experience in SEO, including significant experience in a senior leadership role within an agency or enterprise environment

• Proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, including direct line management, mentoring, and succession planning

• Strong expertise across all pillars of SEO and AI Search/GEO, including Technical SEO, Content, Digital PR, and performance measurement

• Deep understanding of evolving search ecosystems, including AI Search, search engine algorithms, SERP developments, and changing user behaviours

• Strong commercial awareness with experience supporting business growth through strategic recommendations, pitches, client expansion and proposition development

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with experience using performance data to support decision-making, forecasting, and reporting

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex SEO and AI Search concepts into clear business recommendations for both technical and non-technical audiences

• Experience defining and delivering integrated search strategies across SEO disciplines and wider marketing channels, including Digital PR, PPC, Analytics, and brand-building activity

• Strong problem-solving skills and technical understanding of crawling, rendering, indexation, and search engine accessibility principles

Desirable

• Experience identifying opportunities to automate workflows and improve operational efficiency across SEO and AI Search delivery through AI, scripting, tooling, or process optimisation

• Experience embedding AI into team ways of working, including scaling delivery, improving productivity, and accelerating insight generation

• Experience defining methodologies, frameworks, or propositions within an agency or consultancy environment

• Experience measuring and improving visibility across AI Search platforms, including AI visibility, citations, share of voice, or generative search performance

• Experience working with enterprise and global brands across multiple markets and stakeholders

• Familiarity with data infrastructure and reporting environments such as BigQuery, Looker Studio, APIs, or automated dashboards

• Experience driving cross-functional initiatives across Search, Data, Product, Engineering, or Analytics teams

• Experience contributing to thought leadership, industry events, training programmes, speaking engagements, or published content

• Understanding of UX, CRO, and digital experience principles and how these support organic growth

• Curiosity for emerging technologies and a track record of introducing innovation into ways of working

Why You Should Join Us

• Client business obsession: constantly listening to clients, and then continuously testing, enhancing, and keeping up with clients’ changing challenges and needs

• Artefact is the place to be: come and build the future of marketing with dynamic AI focused strategies that aim to disrupt the digital marketing space.

• Progress: Every day offers new challenges and new opportunities to learn. Our client work is varied and our developing GEO strategies offer an exciting opportunity to work on an evolving, cutting edge SEO offering.

• Culture: join the best team you could ever imagine

• We are a team with an active social dynamic - we enjoy spending time together, whether that’s chatting at lunchtime, a drink or two after work, or a weekend away in Cornwall!

• We are supportive and team-orientated, we like to work together to ensure that the work is done well and equitably, and often jump in on projects to support each other.

• Entrepreneurship: You will be joining a team of driven entrepreneurs. We are striving to make a dent in the industry with innovative strategies and tools that other agencies cannot offer. won’t give up until we make a huge dent in this industry!