SEO Lead

Position: SEO Lead
Location: Lucan, Dublin (Hybrid – 1–2 days/month in office)
Type: Full-time
Experience: 5+ years
Start Date: ASAP

About the Role

This is a senior role with day-to-day ownership of the SEO function at Legacy. You will be responsible for strategy, delivery, and performance across all client accounts, while directly managing and developing the SEO team.

Reporting to the Head of Division, you will operate with a high degree of independence, bringing clear, well-formed strategic decisions and taking full accountability for results.

This is a hands-on role, combining leadership with active contribution to client delivery.

How We Deliver SEO at Legacy

Legacy operates within a Search Everywhere Optimisation approach. While Google remains central, strategies extend across AI platforms (ChatGPT, Perplexity), Reddit, YouTube, newsletters, and social media, reflecting how audiences now discover and evaluate brands.

Delivery follows a four-phase model, with the SEO Lead responsible for managing progression and timelines:

• Phase 1 – Plan, Fix & Improve: Onboarding, technical audits, keyword research, competitor analysis, project planning
• Phase 2 – Create: Content strategy, keyword gap analysis, pillar/cluster planning, content audits, on-page optimisation
• Phase 3 – Promote: Digital PR-led link acquisition and earned media (timing determined by SEO Lead)
• Phase 4 – Learn: Performance analysis, strategy refinement, and opportunity identification

Time in each phase varies by client (typically 3–12 months before promotion activity begins).

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy & Client Ownership

Own SEO strategy across all client accounts, from onboarding to 3–6 month roadmaps and ongoing reviews. Plan and manage sprint-based delivery, ensuring weekly priorities align with strategic goals. Maintain oversight of all accounts and accountability for performance, including those managed by the team. Decide when accounts progress through SEO phases and when to engage Digital PR. Monitor performance, AI visibility, and competitors, adapting strategies as needed. Collaborate with Digital PR and define KPIs across traffic, rankings, and conversions.

AI & Modern Search

Lead the agency’s approach to AI search visibility across platforms such as Google, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. Develop strategies to influence AI-generated recommendations through authoritative content and earned media. Stay current with algorithm and AI developments, applying them to client strategies. Promote effective use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude) and expand SEO beyond traditional search into platforms like YouTube and Reddit.

Innovation & Curiosity

Stay up to date with SEO trends through continuous learning and industry engagement. Test new approaches, document results, and share insights. Foster a culture of curiosity and experimentation, and proactively identify emerging opportunities for clients.

People Management

Manage and develop SEO team members through regular 1:1s, goal-setting, and performance feedback. Ensure accounts are well planned, resourced, and delivered to a high standard. Address performance issues early and support junior team development.

Operations & Commercial

Oversee resource planning, capacity forecasting, and allocation across accounts. Manage invoicing and financial administration. Monitor profitability and address over- or under-servicing. Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts and support new business pitches. Ensure consistent delivery through structured planning (roadmaps, monthly priorities, weekly sprints) and maintain accurate records in Teamwork.com and Scoro.

Client Relationships

Build strong client relationships and act as a trusted advisor on SEO strategy and performance. Communicate clearly, providing actionable recommendations and managing challenging conversations when needed. Present strategies and performance reviews confidently to senior stakeholders and identify opportunities for account growth.

What You Will Bring

Essential

• 5+ years’ SEO experience, including agency experience managing multiple clients
• Strong expertise across technical, on-page, content, and off-page SEO
• Deep understanding of modern search, including AI search and LLMs
• Proven people management experience with ability to develop and hold teams accountable
• Proficiency with SEO tools (Ahrefs, GSC, GA4, DeepCrawl, Bing Webmaster Tools)
• Practical experience using AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude)
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Solid project management and organisational ability
• Commercial awareness (resourcing, profitability, scope)
• Decisive, accountable approach to work

Desirable

• Experience working with Digital PR or content teams
• Familiarity with Teamwork.com or Scoro
• Working knowledge of HTML/CSS
• Experience contributing to new business pitches
• Understanding of evolving AI search platforms and their impact

What We Offer

Competitive salary, performance-based bonus, strong career progression, unlimited holidays, ongoing training and development, and a supportive, ambitious, values-driven culture.

Legacy is committed to being Brave, Sound, and Curious. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.