Lead SEO and AI Search Strategist

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Ownership: Build, own and continuously evolve a bespoke, cutting-edge SEO and AI search strategy, integrating SEO and AI-driven search optimisations to dominate organic and AI search results.
• Franchise-Wide Performance: Take full ownership of SEO and AI search performance across the customer’s entire franchise network, ensuring strategy is consistent, prioritised, and effective at both group and individual franchise level.
• Client Communication & Partnership: Act as the primary and senior point of contact for the customer. This includes leading weekly update meetings, maintaining regular email contact, and owning quarterly business reviews (QBRs), where complex strategy, technical recommendations, and performance reporting are presented clearly and confidently to senior stakeholders.
• Team Direction: Direct the day-to-day workload of the SEO and AI Search Executive, allocating tasks and quality-checking output to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.
• Continuous Improvement: Maintain a deep and current understanding of search engine algorithm updates, the evolving role of generative AI in search, and automotive market trends. Proactively apply this knowledge to keep the account’s strategy ahead of the market.

Skills / Knowledge & Experience

• A minimum of five years’ experience in an SEO role, including demonstrable ownership of SEO and AI search strategy for a major account
• Expert knowledge in all areas of SEO including technical, off-site and on-page, plus a strong and current understanding of AI/generative search
• Advanced working knowledge of Screaming Frog, Semrush and Ahrefs
• Strong knowledge of Google Business Profile and local SEO practices across multi-location, franchise businesses
• Proven ability to lead a senior client relationship, including presenting complex strategy and data with confidence and clarity
• Experience directing or mentoring more junior team members
• Advanced experience using Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and SEO reporting tools such as Data Studio
• Strong digital skills and proficient with Microsoft Office
• Comfortable using AI Tools such as Co-pilot and Claude