Managing Partner, SEO

About the Team

The SEO and Creative Experience team within dentsu is a global, award-winning marketing practice that delivers market-leading organic growth strategies for some of the world's most ambitious brands.

As search continues to evolve alongside AI-driven discovery, changing consumer behaviours and increasingly sophisticated content ecosystems, SEO remains a critical driver of business growth and digital performance.

The team brings together industry-leading expertise across Technical SEO, Content Strategy, Authority Building, User Experience and Analytics to create integrated organic growth solutions that deliver measurable business impact.

The Managing Partner, SEO Strategy will play a pivotal role in defining the future direction of SEO within dentsu, ensuring the organisation remains at the forefront of innovation, client performance and market leadership.

Purpose of the Role

This is a 12 month Fixed term contract. The Managing Partner, SEO Strategy is responsible for defining and owning the vision, strategy and long-term roadmap for SEO across dentsu.

As the senior strategic leader for the discipline, this role will unite the specialist capabilities of Technical SEO, Content SEO and broader Search expertise into a single, integrated proposition that drives growth for clients and the business alike.

Working in partnership with the Managing Partners for Technical SEO and Content SEO, the role will shape the future of SEO as a product, ensuring dentsu's offering continues to evolve in response to changing consumer behaviour, platform developments, AI-driven discovery and emerging market opportunities.

The role combines strategic leadership, commercial ownership, capability development, thought leadership and community management to ensure SEO remains a market-leading discipline across dentsu.
 

The Managing Partner will also play a critical role in supporting business growth through proposition development, senior client consultancy, innovation leadership and participation in major new business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and own the long-term vision, strategic direction and roadmap for SEO across dentsu.

• Establish a clear ambition for the future of SEO, ensuring alignment with wider business objectives and client priorities.

• Lead the evolution of dentsu's integrated SEO proposition across Technical SEO, Content SEO, Authority Building and emerging Search innovations.

• Ensure SEO remains connected to the wider marketing ecosystem, working closely with Experience, Media, Analytics, Content and Performance teams.

• Develop and maintain a multi-year strategy that positions dentsu as a recognised leader in organic search.

Product & Proposition Ownership

• Own the development and evolution of SEO as a strategic product offering.

• Identify opportunities to create differentiated services, frameworks and methodologies that strengthen dentsu's market position.

• Translate industry change into scalable solutions that drive client performance and commercial growth.

• Ensure the SEO proposition remains future-focused, innovative and commercially competitive.

• Drive consistency of product quality and strategic excellence across all SEO engagements.

Community & Capability Leadership

• Jointly lead and develop dentsu's SEO community alongside Technical and Content SEO leadership.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, excellence and continuous learning.

• Create frameworks that support capability development across all levels of the SEO organisation.

• Mentor senior SEO leaders and contribute to succession planning across the practice.

• Act as a visible and inspiring leader for the wider SEO community.

Commercial Growth

• Be accountable for driving revenue growth and commercial success within the SEO practice.

• Identify opportunities to expand SEO services across existing clients and new sectors.

• Support major pitches and strategic growth opportunities.

• Partner with client leadership teams to develop growth plans and identify new revenue streams.

• Contribute to annual business planning, forecasting and proposition development.

Client Leadership

• Act as a senior strategic advisor to key clients when required.

• Support executive-level client conversations around Search strategy, performance and marketing transformation.

• Influence client investment strategies through insight-led consultancy.

• Provide specialist strategic leadership on complex or business-critical engagements.

• Help establish long-term client partnerships that drive growth and retention.

Industry Influence & Thought Leadership

• Represent dentsu externally as a recognised authority in SEO and organic growth.

• Develop thought leadership programmes that enhance dentsu's profile and reputation.

• Participate in industry events, conferences, publications and research initiatives.

• Build relationships with search platforms, industry bodies and technology partners.

• Champion innovation and best practice across the wider Search industry.

Professional Skills

• Proven ability to define strategic vision and transform it into actionable business outcomes.

• Deep expertise across Technical SEO, Content SEO and modern Search ecosystems.

• Strong understanding of how SEO contributes to wider marketing and business performance objectives.

• Commercially astute with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and profitability.

• Outstanding leadership capabilities with experience influencing large specialist communities.

• Ability to build credibility and influence at executive and C-suite levels.

• Strong communication, storytelling and presentation skills.

• Highly collaborative with the ability to work effectively across complex matrix organisations.

• Innovative, forward-thinking and passionate about the future of Search.

Outputs

• A clearly defined and widely adopted SEO vision and strategic roadmap.

• Growth in SEO revenue, profitability and client retention.

• A highly engaged and connected SEO community.

• Increased market recognition of dentsu's SEO proposition.

• Stronger integration across Technical SEO, Content SEO and adjacent capabilities.

• Successful development of new SEO products and commercial opportunities.

• Increased contribution of SEO to new business success.

• Industry-leading standards of strategic thinking, innovation and client impact.

Essential Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within SEO, Search or Digital Performance.

• Proven success defining and leading SEO propositions, products or specialist practices.

• Deep expertise across Technical SEO, Content Strategy, Authority Building and organic growth.

• Experience leading large specialist communities or capability functions.

• Demonstrable track record of driving commercial growth through proposition development and innovation.

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders, executive leadership teams and major clients.

• Strong experience supporting complex new business opportunities and strategic pitches.

• Established reputation within the SEO industry, with evidence of thought leadership, market influence or community contribution.

What we offer

• This is a Fixed Term role for 12 months.

• This is a hybrid working role with the expectation that you will be in our London office 2 times a week.

• As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.

Inclusion and Diversity
At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners, and communities.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Beyond recruitment, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

We recognize the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements for all roles. If you need reasonable adjustments due to a disability or medical condition during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected], quoting the reference number of the role that you are applying for. Your needs will be handled with respect and confidentiality to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.

About Dentsu
Taking a people-centered approach to business transformation, we use insights to connect brand, content, commerce and experience, underpinned by modern creativity. As part of Dentsu Group Inc. we are headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and our 65,000 employee-base of dedicated professionals work across four regions (Japan, Americas, EMEA and APAC). Dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion sits at the heart of our  Social Impact strategy – our fully integrated sustainability strategy which includes our ambition to build a fair and more equal society, where everyone is equipped to thrive.

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