Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency that specialises in the delivery of unique, personalised customer experiences across platforms and devices. We call it ‘people-based’ marketing, and with over 25 years’ experience, we are proud to be recognised as a global leader.

Merkle’s heritage in data, technology and analytics is the foundation for our understanding of consumer insights that drives our people-based marketing strategies. Combined with our expertise in performance creative and media, we can then offer our clients content-driven, contextual and compelling customer experiences that drive business growth.

In 2016, the agency joined Dentsu, one of the world’s biggest media companies.

Reporting to the Head of Customer Experience, the Head of SEO will be responsible for ensuring excellence in client delivery, P&L management, team management, and business growth. Our ambition is to deliver the best work to clients, putting data and technology at the heart of our propositions. We are looking for a leader with strong SEO and team management skills who can head our talented and diverse team. The Head of SEO will manage a fast-growing department and will be accountable for a £2.5M+ P&L; strong business acumen is a key skill to support industry experience.

The Head of SEO will need to work autonomously with minimal supervision, have excellent problem solving skills, be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, be a team builder who motivates junior and cross-functional staff, be highly organized, have an ability to prioritize and handle multiple simultaneous tasks, and keep their composure in stressful or uncertain situations. As a department head, this role requires working with c-suite and senior execs both within the agency and with our clients. They will also work with global heads of SEO in the US, EMEA and APAC, ensuring alignment on proposition and global strategies. We’re looking for a thought leader who will help the growth and development of our talented team, ensure high standards of quality within our delivery capability, and be able to drive business value to Merkle and its clients.

A few of the benefits

Whether it’s the joy of working with people at the top of their game or the Merkle social calendar, people love working here – and we hope you will too

• Career development through Merkle University and other tools; with access to courses, textbooks and mentorship
• Private Medical Insurance, Company Pension, life insurance and other corporate benefits
• A selection of other benefits including ability to buy additional holiday, season ticket loan and 2 volunteer days

What we are looking for in you

• We anticipate the successful candidate will have circa 7+ years’ experience specialising in SEO, with extensive experience in international SEO.
• Vast management & leadership experience; specifically, leading large teams across a diverse set of capabilities including manager level reports through to early career candidates.
• Experience in managing £multi-million P&Ls including revenue, margin & team utilisation based on business targets and reforecasting.
• Experience in leading, shaping, and developing proposals for new business opportunities.
• Experience in building and scaling offshore teams.
• Experience setting the strategic direction of a department (with a clear focus on differentiation), ensuring these strategies are in line with the business’s overall goals and objectives, and executing them.
• Experience driving thought leadership and being a ‘face of the business’ for SEO, demonstrating deep subject matter expertise, speaking at conferences/webinars, and working closely with marketing.
• Ability to collaborate with the SEO leads for EMEA, US, and APAC to ensure that there is consistency across our propositions, delivery and quality across the regions.
• Strong interpersonal skills such as effective listening, empathy, patience and the ability to interface with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to work effectively across an organisation and communicate through the art of storytelling.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Merkle, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment improves us as a community and as a business. We want to foster an environment of growth, where ideas and contributions are actively encouraged. We need this culture of courage to continue to thrive in our fast-paced industry.

We have created six Diversity and Inclusion Pillars. Each pillar is made up of a community of members who serve as role models and spread a message of inclusion throughout our global workplace. Pillar members are responsible for planning initiatives, events and training, along with championing change within our business. These pillars are Gender, Ethnicity, Mental Health, Religion, Disability, LGBT+.

Merkle is a place that embraces differences of opinion. To be an advocate for real change we really encourage applications from women, candidates with disabilities and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as we recognise that these groups are currently underrepresented in our marketing/technology industry.

At the point of application, the candidate must have the legal right to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor visas as this time.

Merkle does not discriminate against job applicants on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Experience stipulated in this job description serves as a guide only and all applications will be considered on their merits, irrespective of experience.

As part of our Diversity and Inclusion agenda, and as an Equal Opportunities employer, if you require reasonable adjustments during the selection process please engage directly with your Recruiter.