Leadership and fractional roles
Hire an SEO Manager/Lead/Director | Head of SEO
An SEO manager leads the whole search programme rather than doing one task. I set the strategy, direct writers, developers and link builders, keep the roadmap moving and report organic results every month. It fits companies that already have SEO activity but no senior person steering it.
Pricing is scoped to each project. Book a call and I will tell you what yours involves.
- 10 yearsin digital growth
- 4 marketsUK, Australia, USA and Bangladesh
- 30-60-90day plan with a written checkpoint
- 1 callto scope your project
The role
What an SEO manager is and does
An SEO manager is an SEO manager who leads the programme, the people and the monthly reporting. In my own work I own the SEO roadmap and prioritise by expected impact and brief and review content, technical fixes and link outreach. I work at senior level: I own the plan, the budget and the result, and I direct the people and tools doing the day-to-day work.
Before
SEO work is happening in pieces, with writers, developers and agencies pulling in different directions.
With me as your SEO manager
- Own the SEO roadmap and prioritise by expected impact
- Brief and review content, technical fixes and link outreach
- Monitor rankings, clicks and indexing, and escalate problems quickly
- Report organic performance monthly, tied to business results
Fit
When to hire an SEO manager instead of an agency or a full-time hire
Hire an SEO manager when SEO work is happening in pieces, with writers, developers and agencies pulling in different directions. An SEO consultant advises and audits; an SEO manager owns delivery week to week, directing the people who do the work and answering for the result.
Engagement
Engagement models: fractional, retainer or project
I work as an SEO manager in three ways: a fixed project, a monthly retainer, or a fractional arrangement of set days each week. The site size and how many languages or markets it covers usually decides which of the three fits.
- Fractional
I work a set number of days or hours each week as part of your team.
- Retainer
A fixed monthly scope with a review at the end of each month.
- Project
A defined deliverable with a start, an end and agreed checkpoints.
Pricing
How pricing works
The cost of hiring an SEO manager depends on the site size and how many languages or markets it covers, how many writers, developers and suppliers I would direct, the number of channels or platforms involved, the size of the team I work with, how long we work together and how quickly you need results. I scope every engagement to your situation and do not publish rates, so you pay only for the work your business needs.
What changes the scope
Site size and how many languages or markets it coversHow many writers, developers and suppliers I would directThe number of channels or platformsTeam size and who needs to be managedLength of the engagementHow fast you need results
- Project
A defined piece of SEO manager work with a start, an end and agreed deliverables.
- Monthly retainer
Ongoing SEO manager work with a fixed monthly scope, reviewed every month.
- Fractional or part-time
A set number of days or hours each week, with me working inside your team.
Freelancer vs agency vs in-house for SEO manager work
| Option | Speed | Control | Accountability | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer (me) | Starts within days of agreeing scope | Direct access to the person doing the work | One named person answers for results | Scale up or down by month |
| Agency | Slower to start; account and delivery teams | Work passes through several people | Shared across a team and account manager | Fixed packages and notice periods |
| In-house hire | Slowest: recruiting and onboarding first | Full day-to-day control | Direct line manager, but one person covers many tasks | Long-term commitment, harder to change |
First 90 days
First 90 days: roadmap and deliverables
The first ninety days follow a fixed shape so you can see progress early. Each phase ends with a written checkpoint that we review together before the next one begins.
- Days 1-30
Audit the site and the current SEO work, and reset the priorities.
- Days 31-60
Brief writers and developers on the first set of high-impact tasks.
- Days 61-90
Publish the first monthly SEO report and adjust the roadmap.
How I work
How I work: reporting, KPIs and management
I work at senior level: I own the plan, the budget and the result, and I direct the people and tools doing the day-to-day work. Every month I report on organic clicks and non-brand growth, indexed pages and technical health and organic leads or revenue, with the goal beside the actual and a clear next decision.
- Reported every monthOrganic clicks and non-brand growth
- Reported every monthIndexed pages and technical health
- Reported every monthOrganic leads or revenue
Proof
Case studies with numbers
These are real projects from my own records, with the first number shown exactly as it is reported in the full case study.
Choosing well
How to evaluate an SEO manager
Use direct questions to judge a candidate. Strong ones answer plainly, give an example, and are comfortable saying what they would not do.
- 01
Ask how they prioritise a long list of SEO tasks.
- 02
Ask for a monthly SEO report they wrote and what decision it led to.
Before the call
What to prepare before the call
Bring these to the call so we can scope the work in one conversation.
What to prepare before the call
- Search Console access
- Current SEO suppliers and their scope
- Your top ten pages by revenue or leads
- The last three SEO changes made to the site
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on scope, timing and fit. Pricing is always scoped to your project.
What does an SEO manager do?
As your SEO manager, I own the SEO roadmap and prioritise by expected impact, brief and review content, technical fixes and link outreach, monitor rankings, clicks and indexing, and escalate problems quickly and report organic performance monthly, tied to business results. I own the plan and the result, and direct the people doing the work.
How much does it cost to hire an SEO manager?
Cost depends on the site size and how many languages or markets it covers, how many writers, developers and suppliers I would direct, the number of channels or platforms, team size, engagement length and how quickly you need results. I scope each project individually instead of quoting a standard rate. Book a Call for a scoped quote and I will tell you exactly what your situation involves.
Freelance SEO manager vs agency: which is better?
An SEO consultant advises and audits; an SEO manager owns delivery week to week, directing the people who do the work and answering for the result. A freelancer gives you direct access and flexible commitment; an agency adds a larger bench. Tell me what you need on a call and I will say honestly which suits you.
When should I hire an SEO manager?
Hire an SEO manager when SEO work is happening in pieces, with writers, developers and agencies pulling in different directions. If that sounds familiar, a short call is enough to confirm whether the role fits or whether something simpler would do. Book a Call and I will answer this for your specific situation.
What should I ask before hiring an SEO manager?
Ask how they prioritise a long list of SEO tasks. Ask for a monthly SEO report they wrote and what decision it led to. Their answers matter less than whether they answer plainly, with specifics you can check. Book a Call and I will answer this for your specific situation.
How long until I see results from an SEO manager?
Timing depends on your starting point and the channel. In the first 30 days I audit the site and the current SEO work, and reset the priorities. By day 60 I brief writers and developers on the first set of high-impact tasks. By day 90 I publish the first monthly SEO report and adjust the roadmap. We agree these checkpoints before work starts.
Fractional vs full-time: what is the difference?
A full-time hire gives daily presence and one employer's full attention. A fractional arrangement gives you senior experience for a set number of days each week, without a permanent salary or hiring risk. The right choice depends on how much leadership the business can use today and how fast it is growing.
How many hours per week does it take?
Hours depend on the site size and how many languages or markets it covers and how many writers, developers and suppliers I would direct. Many engagements start with a few set days or hours a week for planning and review, then adjust once the workload is clear. I agree the weekly time with you at the start and review it every month.
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