Hire a World-Class Head of SEO
Explore our Guide on Attracting and Hiring Your Next Team Member
TLDR; Hiring a Head of SEO brings senior leadership to your search strategy, helping scale teams, drive ROI-focused SEO programmes, and future-proof your agency or in-house SEO function. This guide covers essential skills, salary benchmarks, red flags to avoid, and actionable steps to recruit the right senior SEO leader.
Key Takeaways
- A Head of SEO is the bridge between strategy and execution, ensuring technical SEO, content, and team performance align with growth goals.
- Look for candidates with both technical mastery and leadership ability – P&L management, pitching, and stakeholder communication matter as much as SEO know‑how.
- Salary ranges vary widely by seniority, market, and agency size – request a free consultation to set competitive offers.
- Hiring triggers include rapid growth, plateauing results, or lack of senior oversight in your SEO function.
Our Clients
Role Requirements for a Head of SEO:
Hard Skills
Client pitching and senior stakeholder engagement
Technical SEO proficiency (on-page, off-page, Core Web Vitals)
Management of P&L sheets and budgeting
Competitor and market analysis
Advanced SEO tools and software knowledge (Google Analytics, Ahrefs, SEMrush)
Strategic growth planning for scaling SEO teams
Soft Skills
- Strategic Thinking and Vision
- Team Leadership and Mentoring (the ability to strengthen your SEO team and develop talent is non-negotiable)
- Adaptability and Problem-Solving Skills
- Effective Communication and Reporting
- Negotiation and Stakeholder Management
- Project Management and Organisational Skills
- Participation in SEO Communities and Networking
- Staying Up-to-Date on SEO Trends and Algorithm Updates
Factors Influencing Head of SEO Salary
Level of Experience
Agency or Business Size and Complexity
Market Trends and Location
Key Insights for Hiring the Perfect Head of SEO
- Fuelling Growth with Strategic Leadership
- Drives ROI-focused strategies, scales teams, and ensures your agency stays competitive in a fast-evolving industry.
- Essential Skills for a Transformative Hire
Combines technical expertise with exceptional leadership and communication to create lasting agency impact.
- Signs It's Time to Hire a Head of SEO
- Rapid client growth, inconsistent results, or a need for senior leadership are signals that knowing when it’s the right time to hire an SEO powerhouse is crucial for your next stage of growth.
- The Benefits of Hiring
From streamlining operations to strengthening client relationships and boosting team morale, the right hire delivers lasting value.
- Red Flags to Watch For
Avoid candidates with outdated SEO tactics, poor communication, or a lack of leadership experience to ensure long-term success.
How Long Does it Take to Hire a Head of SEO?
Typically, hiring a Head of SEO takes 4 weeks depending on market conditions, seniority required, and candidate availability. A structured process helps shorten timelines:
How To Hire a Head of SEO (Step-by-Step)
1. Define the role and required outcomes
Clarify whether you need agency leadership, in-house strategic direction, or both. Set KPIs around ROI, team growth, and rankings.
2. Draft a comprehensive Head of SEO job description
Include required skills (technical SEO, P&L, leadership) and preferred tools (GA, GSC, Ahrefs).
3. Benchmark salaries and package
Use market research or request a free salary consultation to ensure competitive offers.
4. Shortlist and assess candidates
Run technical tasks, leadership interviews, and stakeholder presentations to gauge fit and capability.
5. Final selection and onboarding
Ensure alignment with organisational culture and clearly define expectations for the first 90 days.
Hiring Insights & Tips for Hiring a Head of SEO
When is the Right Time to Hire a Head of SEO
Is your SEO Agency struggling to balance maintaining your workload
Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring a Head of SEO
A strong Head of SEO can impact your business in
How Head of SEO Drive ROI and Revenue Growth
ROI and revenue growth are essential metrics for assessing business
FAQs About Hiring a Head of SEO
Q: What does a Head of SEO do for an agency or business?
A: A Head of SEO leads strategy, manages teams, oversees budgets, and ensures all SEO activities contribute to revenue and growth targets.
Q: What skills should I prioritise when hiring a Head of SEO?
A: Technical SEO expertise, leadership and mentoring skills, client pitching experience, data analysis, and strong stakeholder management are essential.
Q: When is the right time to bring in a Head of SEO?
A: Hire when SEO results plateau, client growth accelerates, or when senior leadership is needed to manage strategy and scale operations.
Q: How much does a Head of SEO typically earn?
A: Salaries depend on seniority, company size, and location. Our free salary consultation provides tailored benchmarks.
Q: What are red flags in Head of SEO candidates?
A: Outdated tactics, poor communication, weak leadership experience, or lack of strategic thinking signal potential misalignment.
