Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for SEO Manager
💰 $70,000 - $120,000
MarketingDigital MarketingSEOOnline Marketing
🎯 Role Definition
An SEO Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing strategies that improve a company’s organic search visibility and drive qualified traffic to digital platforms. This role involves keyword research, on-page and off-page optimization, technical SEO, content strategy, analytics, and collaboration with marketing and development teams to achieve measurable SEO goals.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- SEO Specialist
- Digital Marketing Coordinator
- Content Marketing Specialist
Advancement To:
- Senior SEO Manager
- Head of Digital Marketing
- Director of Growth / Marketing
Lateral Moves:
- SEM Manager
- Digital Analytics Manager
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Develop and implement comprehensive SEO strategies to improve organic search performance.
- Conduct in-depth keyword research, competitive analysis, and market research to identify growth opportunities.
- Optimize website content, structure, and metadata for search engine visibility.
- Manage on-page and off-page SEO tactics, including link building, content optimization, and technical improvements.
- Monitor website performance, search engine rankings, and organic traffic using analytics and SEO tools.
- Conduct regular SEO audits to identify issues and opportunities for optimization.
- Collaborate with content teams to create SEO-friendly copy, blog posts, and multimedia content.
- Work with web developers to ensure technical SEO best practices are implemented, including site speed, crawlability, and mobile optimization.
- Track, measure, and report on SEO performance, including ROI and KPIs, using Google Analytics, Search Console, and other tools.
- Implement schema markup, structured data, and rich snippets to enhance SERP visibility.
- Stay up-to-date with search engine algorithm updates, trends, and emerging SEO techniques.
- Optimize internal linking structures and URL hierarchies to improve site navigation and authority.
- Manage local SEO initiatives, including Google Business Profiles and local citations.
- Collaborate with paid search and marketing teams to ensure integrated strategies.
- Provide SEO recommendations for new website designs, migrations, or redesigns.
- Develop and oversee content marketing strategies aligned with SEO goals.
- Conduct A/B testing and conversion rate optimization initiatives to enhance organic traffic performance.
- Mentor and manage junior SEO staff or external consultants.
- Identify technical issues such as crawl errors, broken links, or duplicate content and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with UX/UI designers to enhance user experience and SEO effectiveness.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory SEO performance analysis.
- Contribute to the organization's digital marketing strategy and roadmap.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align SEO initiatives with business goals.
- Participate in project planning and agile sprints related to website and marketing initiatives.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Advanced knowledge of SEO best practices, tools, and strategies (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz).
- Proficiency in Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and other web analytics tools.
- Technical SEO expertise including site architecture, schema, and page speed optimization.
- Keyword research, competitive analysis, and content strategy skills.
- Experience with CMS platforms (WordPress, Shopify, Drupal) and HTML/CSS basics.
- Understanding of link building, outreach, and authority-building tactics.
- Knowledge of local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization.
- Competence in tracking SEO KPIs and reporting ROI.
- Familiarity with UX, CRO, and website usability principles for SEO.
- Ability to manage SEO projects, workflows, and cross-team collaboration.
Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Project management and organizational skills.
- Attention to detail and ability to prioritize multiple projects.
- Adaptability to evolving SEO trends and search engine updates.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field.
Preferred Education:
- Advanced certifications in SEO, Digital Marketing, or Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, HubSpot, SEMrush Academy).
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Communications
- Business Administration
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 3–5 years of experience in SEO, digital marketing, or web analytics roles.
Preferred:
- Prior experience managing SEO strategies for mid-to-large websites with measurable results, leading teams, or coordinating cross-functional digital marketing campaigns.