Search Engine Optimization Team Lead

Job summary

The SEO Team Lead (SEOTL) is accountable for managing and optimizing SEO campaigns, ensuring they align with client goals and industry best practices. You will lead a team of SEO professionals, guiding their efforts in on-page optimization, content strategy, link building, and technical SEO. Your role involves proactive communication, strategic planning, and performance monitoring to drive continuous improvement and achieve measurable outcomes. Additionally, you will collaborate with all cross-functional teams to integrate SEO strategies seamlessly into overall digital marketing initiatives.

• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of SEO Project Leads (SEOPLs) and SEO Executives (SEOEs) to execute on-page and off-page SEO strategies effectively. Review the ranking sheet from SEO Executives (SEOEs), create Plan of Actions (POAs) and assign each action item with deadlines, and review progress made on a weekly basis and subsequently, provide feedback to SEO Project Lead (SEOPL).
• Campaign Optimization: Oversee the implementation of on-page optimization techniques, including content strategy, keyword optimization, and metadata adjustments, to enhance website visibility and organic search rankings.
• Link Building Strategy: Develop and execute robust link-building strategies to improve domain authority and drive traffic growth through high-quality backlinks.
• Technical SEO Oversight: Monitor and optimize technical aspects of SEO, such as website structure, crawlability, and site speed, to ensure optimal performance and user experience.

• Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for SEO engagements, conducting regular meetings to review performance, address concerns, and strategize future SEO initiatives. Prepare responses for client communications via email, phone calls, and chats to maintain proactive and professional client relations.

• Performance Monitoring: Proactively monitor and analyze leads, traffic, and keyword performance. Take appropriate actions based on improvements or drops in leads, traffic, and keyword rankings to ensure continuous optimization and achievement of client goals and deliverables. Additionally, review development task-email, check keywords' infusion and SEO quality of content, and review the ranking sheet from SEO Executives (SEOEs) for comprehensive performance management. Utilize SEO tools like Google Analytics, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide actionable insights for performance optimization.

• Project Tracker Maintenance: Maintain the "Project Tracker" and periodically update the completion status of on-page, off-page, and other project activities.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Digital Account Managers (DAMs), Web Development team, Design and Content teams to align SEO strategies with broader digital marketing objectives. Collaborate with the respective team and all internal stakeholders to ensure deliverables are completed within the agreed budget and timelines.
• Client Meetings: Participate in weekly client calls/meetings to discuss project performance, activities, and action plans.
• Reporting and Analysis
  :

Facilitate the preparation of comprehensive reports on SEO performance, trends, and actionable recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders.
- Continuous Improvement: Continuously monitor industry trends and algorithm updates, recommending and implementing adjustments to SEO strategies to maximize ROI and client satisfaction.
- Project Review: Conduct bi-weekly project performance reviews, guiding the team towards continuous improvement.
- PPT Preparation: Prepare weekly and monthly raw presentations for client updates and performance review meetings.
- Project Load: Manage a portfolio of at least 12 client projects simultaneously, ensuring efficient resource allocation and project success.
- Escalation Management: Take prompt action to resolve client escalations. Ensure that issues are escalated to the appropriate levels within the organization for swift resolution and client satisfaction. Handle internal team member escalations effectively, ensuring all concerns are addressed promptly and professionally.
- Follow-up Communication: Rigorously follow up with all internal stakeholders to ensure SEO deliverables are completed within the agreed budget and timelines. Must respond in a timely manner to all internal stakeholder emails and Zoho Cliq messages.
- Zoho Projects Management: Utilize Zoho Projects to assign, manage and track project tasks, deadlines, and progress. Ensure timely updates and accurate project tracking within the system.
- Learning and Development: Take initiative in self-directed learning and development to stay updated with industry trends and best practices. Additionally, oversee and facilitate the learning and development of SEO Project Leads (SEOPLs), and SEO Executives (SEOEs), ensuring they receive training opportunities and stay abreast of emerging SEO techniques and technologies. Encourage a culture of knowledge sharing among team members, fostering collaboration and continuous learning within the SEO team.
- Ideas and Innovations: Proactively contribute innovative ideas for process improvement and solving clients' business problems. Additionally, provide proactive suggestions to clients, Digital Account Managers (DAMs), and Senior Management to enhance service delivery, optimize strategies, and achieve client objectives.
- Feedback Management: Actively solicit feedback from Head of Digital Operations (HODO), Digital Operations Manager (DOM), Digital Account Manager(s) (DAMs), Web Development Manager (WDM), Team Lead - Design (TLD), Content Coordinator (CC), SEO Managers (SEOMs), Assistant SEO Manager (ASEOM), Senior SEO Manager (SSEOM) and Senior Leadership members to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Provide constructive feedback to team members to enhance their performance and professional development.
- Conflict Management: Effectively resolve conflicts within the team or with stakeholders, promoting a collaborative and productive work environment.
- Leave and Attrition Management: Monitor and manage team members' leave schedules to ensure adequate coverage and minimal disruption to project timelines. Implement strategies to mitigate attrition, and foster a supportive work environment.
- Adherence to Scope of Work: Ensure all projects and tasks are completed within the defined scope, maintaining high standards of quality and meeting client expectations. If any client requests work outside the defined scope, obtain approval from the Head of Digital Operations (HODO) or Senior Leadership Team members before proceeding with the additional work.
- Report Vetting: Ensure all reports, data, and details shared with the Digital Account Manager(s) (DAMs) are vetted for accuracy and quality.
- Content Management: Review content outlines, topics, and entire content for grammatical errors, plagiarism, and alignment with deliverables before client approval.
- Meeting Preparation: Prepare thoroughly for all internal meetings and promptly send out the MoM.

You are the right fit, if you have

• Educational Background: A degree in Marketing, Communications, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 4+ years of hands-on experience in SEO, with a proven track record in managing SEO projects and teams. Prior experience in a leadership or supervisory role is highly desirable.
• Certifications: SEO certifications (e.g., Google Analytics, HubSpot SEO Certification) are preferred.
• SEO Expertise: In-depth knowledge of SEO best practices, tools, and techniques, including keyword research, on-page and off-page optimization, link building, and technical SEO to analyze performance metrics and drive data-driven decisions.
• Leadership Abilities: Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and mentor a team towards achieving common goals.
• Client Focus: Proven experience in client management, with the ability to build strong relationships, manage expectations, and address escalations effectively.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute strategic SEO plans, adapting to changing trends and client requirements to maximize ROI.
• Analytical Mindset: Excellent analytical skills to evaluate SEO performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement corrective actions.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely to both internal teams and clients.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and quickly adapt to changes in project scope or client needs.
• Detail-Oriented: High attention to detail to ensure accuracy in reporting and monitoring project performance.
• Content Strategy: Understanding of content marketing strategies and ability to review content for SEO compliance.
• Link Building: Expertise in creating and executing effective link-building strategies to improve website authority and rankings.
• Performance Tracking: Ability to set up and monitor SEO performance metrics, including organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates.
• Local SEO: Experience with local SEO strategies and tools, including Google My Business and local citation building.
• Commitment to Learning: Dedication to continuous learning and professional development, staying updated with the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes.