In a market where organic visibility drives business growth, your agency’s success depends on one thing: elite SEO talent. But attracting top-tier SEOs who understand technical architecture, content strategy, and search intent is increasingly competitive.

If you're a CEO or Director of an SEO agency, this guide will help you craft an SEO job description that not only ranks well but also resonates with the best professionals in the industry.

1. Start with a Strategic SEO Job Description

Your job description is your first impression. It should do more than list responsibilities. It should sell the opportunity.

What to include:

· Impact-driven language such as “You will lead SEO strategy for enterprise clients with 10 million or more monthly visits”

· Technical depth including schema, log file analysis, Core Web Vitals, and crawl budget optimization

· Clear KPIs like rankings, traffic growth, and conversion rate from organic

· Defined growth path from SEO Specialist to Head of Organic Growth

Tip: Optimize your SEO job description for both humans and search engines. Use structured headings, bullet points, and relevant keywords like “technical SEO,” “content strategy,” and “organic growth.”

2. Build a Clear Brand Image and Vision

Top SEOs want to work for companies with purpose, direction, and resilience. Even if your agency is navigating a rough patch, you can still attract high-caliber talent by being transparent and optimistic.

How to do it:

· Share your long-term vision and how SEO plays a central role in achieving it

· Highlight recent wins, even small ones, to show momentum

· Be honest about challenges but frame them as opportunities for innovation and leadership

· Reinforce your commitment to growth, learning, and team development

Tip: Include a “Why Join Us” section in your SEO job description that reflects your brand’s mission, values, and future goals.

3. Offer More Than Just a Salary

Top SEOs know their value. To attract them, your compensation package should reflect that.

Consider offering:

· Base salary plus performance bonuses tied to measurable outcomes

· Equity or profit-sharing for senior roles

· Annual learning budgets for conferences, tools, or certifications

· Transparent salary bands to build trust

4. Show a Clear Career Trajectory

Elite SEOs want to grow. They are not just looking for a job. They are looking for a career path.

Example growth tracks:

· SEO Analyst to SEO Strategist to SEO Lead to Director of SEO

· Technical SEO to SEO Architect to VP of Organic Growth

5. Build a Culture of SEO Excellence

The best SEOs want to work with other smart SEOs. Foster a culture that values:

· Thought leadership through blogging, speaking, and publishing case studies

· Experimentation with new frameworks, tools, and strategies

· Collaboration with developers, designers, and content teams

6. Equip Them with the Right Tools and Clients

Top SEOs expect to work with:

· Enterprise-grade tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, Screaming Frog, and ContentKing

· Developer support for implementation

· Clients who understand and invest in SEO

7. Embrace Remote and Flexible Work

The best SEOs are global. If you are limiting your hiring to one city, you are missing out.

· Offer remote-first or hybrid roles

· Use async-friendly tools like Notion, Slack, and Loom

· Focus on outcomes, not hours

Example: High-Performance SEO Job Description Template

Job Title: Senior SEO Strategist Location: Remote or Hybrid (London preferred) Reports to: Head of Organic Growth Type: Full-time

About Us

At [Agency Name], we are more than an SEO agency. We are a strategic growth partner for ambitious brands. Our mission is to deliver measurable, sustainable organic growth through technical excellence, content strategy, and data-driven decision-making.

Even during challenging market conditions, we continue to invest in innovation, people, and long-term client success. We believe that great SEO is built on curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning. We are building a team that reflects those values and drives meaningful impact.

Why Join Us

· Work with a team of respected SEO professionals and thought leaders

· Be part of a company that values transparency, experimentation, and growth

· Contribute to high-impact projects across diverse industries

· Help shape the future of our SEO offering and client strategy

· Join a culture that celebrates wins, learns from challenges, and supports your career journey

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior SEO Strategist to lead and execute high-impact SEO campaigns. You will work closely with content, development, and analytics teams to deliver measurable results for our clients. This is a strategic role with room to grow into leadership.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop and implement SEO strategies tailored to client goals and industry dynamics

· Conduct technical audits, keyword research, and competitor analysis

· Collaborate with content and development teams to implement SEO recommendations

· Monitor performance using GA4, GSC, Ahrefs, and Looker Studio

· Present insights and strategy updates to clients and internal stakeholders

· Stay current with algorithm updates and industry trends

· Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and process improvement

What We’re Looking For

· 4 or more years of hands-on SEO experience, ideally in an agency or fast-paced environment

· Proven track record of driving organic growth and improving rankings

· Strong technical SEO and content strategy skills

· Experience with tools like Screaming Frog, Semrush, Surfer SEO, and ContentKing

· Excellent communication and project management skills

· A proactive mindset and a passion for solving complex SEO challenges

What We Offer

· Competitive base salary

· Performance-based bonuses tied to traffic, rankings, and client success

· Annual learning and development budget

· Flexible working hours and remote-first culture

· Clear career progression path to SEO Lead or Head of SEO

· Access to premium SEO tools and a collaborative, expert-led team environment

· Opportunities to speak, publish, and build your personal brand

How to Apply

Please submit your CV, a short cover letter, and 2 to 3 examples of SEO work or case studies that demonstrate your impact. We value clarity, creativity, and results.

Let Us Help You Hire the SEO Talent That Drives Results

We understand that as an agency leader, your time is best spent on strategy, growth, and client success. Writing job descriptions and sifting through hundreds of CVs may not be the best use of your expertise.

That is where we come in.

At Adaptive Digital, we specialize in connecting agencies and brands with industry-leading SEO professionals. From technical SEO architects to content strategists and growth-focused SEO leads, we have strong relationships with some of the most respected experts in the field.

Whether you are scaling your team, launching a new service line, or replacing a key hire, we can help you find the right person to elevate your SEO performance and accelerate your business growth.

There are no upfront fees. You only pay if we deliver a candidate you choose to hire.

Let’s talk.

Contact us today and let us help you build the SEO team that will take your business to the next level.