📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of SEO
🔹 Company: DEPT®
🔹 Location: Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-08
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (2-3 days from the office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving tangible revenue and market share growth through SEO
- Transforming SEO discipline into a powerhouse of sales and client success
- Leading and coaching SEO teams to deliver high-impact, commercially driven projects
- Collaborating with New Business team to secure and expand client base
- Upselling innovative SEO solutions to existing clients
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset with a strong commercial focus and proven leadership experience in SEO.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the overall performance, profitability, and long-term business growth of the SEO discipline across the Netherlands and Denmark
✅ Play a key role in new business efforts by actively engaging in pitches, refining sales narratives, and collaborating with the New Business team
✅ Establish the right organizational set-up for SEO teams to ensure quality and performance
✅ Coach and mentor SEO Leads to empower every consultant to deliver high-quality projects
✅ Foster an innovative mindset within the SEO team, positioning DEPT® as first movers in adopting new technology and advertising solutions
✅ Oversee top SEO clients, driving innovation, project growth, and excellence in delivery
✅ Dedicate at least 60% of your time to projects or sales initiatives
✅ Enable and boost cross-craft collaboration, aligning SEO activities more closely with adjacent disciplines
✅ Ensure agile development of the SEO proposition, aligning product-market fit and traction with the right target clients
✅ Encourage knowledge sharing and best practices across teams
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on project management, and team leadership.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of experience in SEO, with a proven track record of driving tangible revenue and market share growth
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership experience in SEO
- Strong commercial mindset with a passion for business development, sales pitches, and client growth
- Broad understanding of digital marketing, including SEA, Social, Display, Content Marketing, and Data
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on, analytical, and execution-oriented approach
- Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to persuade, influence, and inspire
- Fluency in English; Dutch fluency is preferred
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment
- Familiarity with agile development methodologies
- Industry-specific knowledge of the Netherlands and Denmark markets
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in SEO, with a proven track record of driving business growth and leading high-performing teams.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Head of SEO role with 10+ years of experience in the Netherlands)
Benefits:
- Flexible, hybrid working policy (2-3 days from the office)
- 24 vacation days per year
- DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT®/YOU Special Programs
- Contribution to health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office
- Discount on lease bike and hassle-free commutes with an NS Business Card
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a Head of SEO role with 10+ years of experience in the Netherlands. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and negotiation.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Large)
Founded: 2016 (8 years ago)
Company Description:
- DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates end-to-end digital experiences for global brands
- Committed to making a positive impact on the planet, DEPT® is Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified
- Known for its boutique culture, DEPT® offers a unique blend of global scale and personal relationships
Company Specialties:
- Digital Craftmanship
- Campaigns
- Social
- Data Driven Marketing
- B2B Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Creativity
- Technology
- Strategy
- Brand
- Advertising
- Design
- Data
- Intelligence
- Organisation
- UX
- Agency
- Content
- Digital Products
- AI
Company Website: www.deptagency.com
ASSUMPTION: DEPT® is a well-established, large agency with a strong focus on innovation and making a positive impact.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive (Senior Management)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Global Head of SEO, with cross-functional collaboration with various departments
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days from the office, with the opportunity to work from abroad for 13 weeks a year)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the SEO team and grow the discipline's impact within the company
- Opportunities to work on high-profile, global projects for renowned clients
- Possibility to develop skills in adjacent disciplines, such as Data, AI, or Paid Search
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to make a substantial impact on the company's SEO discipline.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces in Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Office Location(s): Generaal Vetterstraat 66, Amsterdam, North-Holland 1059 BW, NL and Delftseplein 27N, 13th floor, Rotterdam, South Holland 3013AA, NL
Geographic Context:
- Amsterdam is the capital and largest city in the Netherlands, known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse neighborhoods
- Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on innovation, technology, and sustainability
- Both cities offer a high quality of life, with excellent public transportation, international airports, and a wide range of cultural attractions
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working hours and the option to work from home 2-3 days per week
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual interview with hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with Global Head of SEO
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- SEO expertise and strategic thinking
- Commercial mindset and business development skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Alignment with DEPT®'s company culture and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your SEO experience, leadership skills, and commercial mindset
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your SEO expertise, leadership, and business development skills
- Research DEPT®'s company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with the organization
- Be ready to discuss your approach to SEO strategy, team management, and client growth
ATS Keywords: SEO, Head of SEO, SEO Strategy, SEO Leadership, SEO Team Management, SEO Client Growth, SEO Business Development, SEO Pitches, SEO Sales, SEO Upselling, SEO Client Success
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's SEO expertise, leadership skills, and commercial mindset, with a strong emphasis on cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- SEO tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs, Google Search Console, Google Analytics)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the client and project requirements.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Pioneering: Always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today
- Boutique: Big enough to cope, small enough to care, offering global scale with personal relationships
- Innovation: Investing in innovation, leveraging proprietary tech, data, and knowledge platforms
- Impact: Committed to making a positive impact on the planet and society
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional, with a focus on teamwork and knowledge sharing
- Agile and flexible, with a focus on continuous improvement and adaptation
- Data-driven and analytical, with a strong emphasis on performance metrics and results
- Creative and innovative, with a focus on pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with DEPT®'s pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation?
- How do you balance the need for global scale with a personal, boutique approach to client relationships?
- How do you ensure that your work style complements DEPT®'s collaborative, agile, data-driven, and creative culture?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with DEPT®'s company values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large, high-performing SEO team across two locations (Amsterdam and Rotterdam)
- Balancing strategic planning and hands-on project management responsibilities
- Driving business growth in a competitive market with a strong focus on innovation and client success
- Navigating a hybrid work environment with a mix of in-office and remote team members
- Adapting to the unique cultural dynamics of the Netherlands and Denmark markets
ASSUMPTION: This role presents several challenges, but also offers significant opportunities for growth and impact.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other Head of SEO roles, this position offers a unique blend of global scale, boutique culture, and a strong focus on innovation
- In the Netherlands and Denmark markets, DEPT® competes with established agencies and consultancies, requiring a strong commercial mindset and strategic approach to SEO
- Career-wise, this role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to expand the SEO team and grow the discipline's impact within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role stands out due to DEPT®'s unique culture, global scale, and strong focus on innovation.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive SEO strategy for a global e-commerce client, driving significant organic traffic growth and revenue
- Leading a team of SEO consultants to optimize the online presence of a major international brand, improving search engine rankings and user experience
- Collaborating with the New Business team to pitch and secure a high-profile SEO project for a leading technology company, with a focus on driving market share growth and competitive differentiation
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, hands-on, and collaborative nature of the Head of SEO role at DEPT®.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does DEPT® support the growth and development of its SEO team members?
- What are the key priorities for the SEO discipline in the Netherlands and Denmark markets in the next 1-2 years?
- How does DEPT® measure and track the success of its SEO projects and team performance?
- What opportunities are there for collaboration and knowledge sharing with other departments, such as Data, AI, or Paid Search?
- How does DEPT® approach work-life balance and employee well-being, particularly in a hybrid work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, the team, and the company culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your SEO experience, leadership skills, and commercial mindset
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your SEO expertise, leadership, and business development skills
- Research DEPT®'s company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with the organization
- Be ready to discuss your approach to SEO strategy, team management, and client growth
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
