How To Hire An SEO Manager

An SEO Manager plays a vital role in increasing your company’s online visibility, driving organic traffic, and boosting lead generation through strategic search engine optimization. They develop and implement on-page, off-page, and technical SEO strategies that align with business goals and keep your content competitive in ever-changing search algorithms. Hiring the right SEO Manager is a critical investment for scaling your digital presence and attracting high-intent customers.

Understanding The Role & Responsibilities

SEO Managers are responsible for developing and executing strategies that improve search rankings, enhance site visibility, and generate qualified leads. Their primary responsibilities typically include:

• Conducting keyword research to identify search opportunities that align with business goals.
• Optimizing website structure, content, and metadata for on-page SEO performance.
• Managing backlink acquisition strategies to improve domain authority.
• Overseeing technical SEO elements such as site speed, mobile responsiveness, crawlability, and indexing.
• Collaborating with content creators to ensure SEO best practices are embedded in all digital assets.
• Monitoring performance metrics and providing regular SEO reports and insights.
• Staying up-to-date with algorithm changes and industry trends.

In many organizations, SEO Managers also work closely with paid media teams, web developers, and marketing leadership to support integrated campaigns and site architecture enhancements.

Skills To Look For In A Great SEO Manager

A great SEO Manager combines analytical thinking with creative problem-solving and technical knowledge. Look for the following key skills when evaluating candidates:

Keyword Research & Content Strategy

The best SEO Managers know how to identify high-value keywords and translate them into content plans that capture search demand. They understand user intent and can advise on optimizing blog posts, landing pages, and product descriptions.

Technical SEO Proficiency

SEO goes beyond content. Strong candidates are fluent in HTML, CSS basics, structured data markup, and tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and SEMrush or Ahrefs. They should be comfortable diagnosing crawl issues, site errors, and page speed concerns.

Analytics & Reporting

An effective SEO Manager knows how to measure and communicate success. Look for experience with platforms like Google Analytics, Looker Studio, or HubSpot dashboards to track traffic, conversions, and keyword performance.

Link Building & Outreach

A sound link-building strategy improves authority and ranking. Great candidates understand ethical outreach practices and may have experience with digital PR, guest blogging, or content partnerships.

Cross-Functional Communication

SEO impacts multiple teams, including content, design, engineering, and sales. Your ideal hire should be able to explain technical ideas clearly, advocate for SEO initiatives, and collaborate effectively across departments.

Adaptability & Industry Knowledge

Search engine algorithms evolve constantly. The best SEO Managers stay ahead of the curve by testing new tactics, learning from industry thought leaders, and adjusting their strategies based on performance data.

Other Transferable Titles

Several adjacent roles may have the relevant skill sets to transition into an SEO Manager position. Consider candidates from these titles:

Content Marketing Manager

These professionals understand the strategic relationship between content and search traffic. If they have worked closely with keyword optimization and analytics tools, they may be well-suited to step into an SEO-focused role.

Digital Marketing Specialist

Digital Marketing Specialists often have a foundation in SEO tactics, reporting, and content distribution. Those with a data-driven mindset and SEO certification or experience could transition effectively.

Web Analytics Manager

Strong in data analysis, these professionals can be valuable hires if they’ve worked with traffic attribution, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and SEO-related KPIs.

Growth Marketing Manager

Growth-focused roles often include organic search as a key performance channel. If a candidate has led initiatives related to organic acquisition, they may bring the right mix of strategy and experimentation.

Technical Marketing Analyst

Analysts with web dev or SEO tool experience may be ready for a more strategic leadership role. Their technical mindset and reporting capabilities are major assets for SEO.

Interview Questions

Use these questions to assess your candidate’s SEO knowledge, problem-solving skills, and strategic vision:

1. Can you walk us through an SEO strategy you implemented that led to measurable traffic growth?
2. What tools do you use for keyword research and site audits? Why?
3. How do you approach optimizing a page that is underperforming in organic search?
4. What’s your process for staying informed on algorithm updates and industry trends?
5. Describe a time when you improved technical SEO on a website. What was the outcome?
6. How do you prioritize SEO tasks when resources are limited?
7. What are your strategies for acquiring high-quality backlinks?
8. How do you measure SEO success and communicate results to non-technical stakeholders?

These questions provide insight into the candidate’s experience, strategic approach, and ability to communicate clearly about SEO initiatives.

Evaluating & Making The Final Decision

When evaluating final candidates, focus on their ability to connect SEO performance with business outcomes. Strong candidates should demonstrate:

• A track record of increasing organic traffic and improving search rankings.
• Familiarity with your CMS, analytics platforms, and SEO tools.
• The ability to communicate results in terms of ROI, conversions, or customer acquisition.
• Creativity and resilience in navigating changing algorithms and content competition.

Don’t overlook soft skills. An ideal SEO Manager is proactive, curious, and comfortable collaborating with other teams. During reference checks, ask about their initiative, technical fluency, and ability to influence strategy.

Hiring for SEO is a long game. The right person won’t just chase keywords; they’ll build an organic growth engine that supports your goals quarter after quarter.

Partner With Premier

Hiring a skilled SEO Manager can unlock untapped traffic potential and elevate your digital marketing strategy. Whether you’re looking to build your organic pipeline, recover from a traffic drop, or launch a new content initiative, Premier can help.

Our team specializes in sourcing experienced, vetted digital marketing professionals who are ready to make an impact. Let us connect you with SEO talent that fits your vision, culture, and growth plan. Contact Premier today and let’s take your search visibility to the next level.