📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: SEO Lead
🔹 Company: SumUp
🔹 Location: Berlin, Germany
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 10, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 8+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing a robust SEO strategy to drive organic growth across SumUp’s multi-product portfolio
- Leading a high-performing team of SEO specialists and fostering their growth
- Collaborating cross-functionally with paid search, social media, and other marketing teams to create a cohesive growth strategy
- Driving growth hacking initiatives and experimenting with new formats and strategies to accelerate growth
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of SEO to drive organic customer acquisition and activation efforts across Europe.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define and own SEO strategy to significantly increase organic traffic and drive sales across SumUp’s multi-product portfolio, including improving search rankings on traditional search engines and emerging AI platforms
✅ Set and achieve goals by defining key optimisation areas for the organic approach and setting clear, accountable targets that align directly with broader business goals across each business unit
✅ Ensure cross-functional alignment by seamlessly integrating SEO efforts with paid search, social media, and other marketing initiatives, including brand, to create a cohesive growth strategy
✅ Drive growth hacking by formulating hypotheses and rigorously experimenting with new formats and strategies to accelerate growth
✅ Cultivate experimentation by developing a vision for driving product-led growth through experimentation, using scientific methods and creative approaches to achieve step-changes in acquisition and conversion
✅ Lead and mentor a high-performing team of SEO specialists, fostering their growth and guiding their expertise across all SEO pillars
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively to achieve results.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 8+ years of experience in SEO, preferably in FinTech or B2B SaaS, with a proven track record of leading teams and developing successful organic growth strategies
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in developing and implementing effective SEO strategies across all pillars (on-page, off-page, technical)
- Strong analytical skills with a high affinity for numbers and data-driven decision-making
- Proficient in utilising SEO tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, or similar tools
- Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in developing and implementing effective SEO strategies for emerging AI/ML technologies and marketing automation
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in SEO and a proven track record of driving organic growth in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (based on experience and market standards for SEO leads in Berlin)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary package
- Virtual stock option programme
- Budget for attending conferences and external training
- Corporate pension scheme
- 28 days’ paid leave
- Free German and yoga classes
- Subsidised Urban Sports Club membership
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market standards for SEO leads in Berlin, taking into account the company size and industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Mid-sized)
Founded: 2012
Company Description:
- SumUp is a leading global fintech company committed to levelling the playing field for small businesses
- Founded in 2012, SumUp is the trusted partner of over 4 million merchants in 36 markets worldwide, providing simple and affordable tools that enable them to manage payments, business finances, and customer relationships
- SumUp’s diverse team of over 3,000 employees, representing more than 90 nationalities and spread across 20 offices worldwide, is at the heart of its success
Company Specialties:
- Mobile payments
- Digital payments
- Point of sale
- Card readers
- Business account
- Invoices
- Business solutions
- Payment links
- Gift cards
- Loyalty rewards program
- mPOS
- Mobile card payments
- Acceptance of card payments
- Online store
- Customer acquisition
- E-commerce
- Contactless payments
- QR code payments
- POS solutions
- and Business tools
Company Website: sumup.co.uk
ASSUMPTION: SumUp is a well-established fintech company with a strong global presence and a diverse team, offering a dynamic work environment for SEO professionals.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level role with significant responsibility and autonomy
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Marketing or a similarly senior position
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with the possibility of occasional remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a more senior role within the marketing department or take on additional responsibilities as the team expands
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and drive significant business growth
- Chance to mentor and develop junior team members, fostering their growth and career development
ASSUMPTION: This role offers excellent growth opportunities for experienced SEO professionals looking to take on a senior leadership position and make a significant impact on the company’s organic growth strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with a focus on employee well-being and comfort
Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany
Geographic Context:
- Berlin is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving tech industry and a high quality of life
- The office is located in the heart of Berlin, offering easy access to public transportation, restaurants, and cultural attractions
- Berlin has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, providing a varied seasonal experience
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexibility for remote work and occasional overtime as needed
ASSUMPTION: The office environment at SumUp is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and employee satisfaction, with a strong focus on work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- Technical SEO assessment or case study
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- SEO expertise and strategic thinking
- Leadership and team management skills
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with SumUp’s values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant SEO experience and achievements
- Prepare for the technical SEO assessment or case study by brushing up on your knowledge of SEO best practices and tools
- Research SumUp’s company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: SEO strategy, organic growth, team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, data analysis, AI/ML knowledge, emerging technologies, marketing automation, customer acquisition, conversion optimization
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their expertise and passion for SEO in order to stand out.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- SEO tools: Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz
- Project management tools: Asana, Trello, or similar
- Collaboration tools: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, or similar
- Communication tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using a variety of SEO tools and collaboration platforms to work effectively in a remote or hybrid team environment.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empower small businesses
- Make payments simple and accessible
- Build strong, lasting relationships
- Nurture diversity and inclusion
- Act with humility and empathy
Work Style:
- Collaborative and data-driven
- Agile and adaptable
- Focused on continuous learning and improvement
- Committed to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share SumUp’s commitment to empowering small businesses and making payments simple and accessible?
- Are you comfortable working in a collaborative, data-driven environment and making data-driven decisions?
- Do you thrive in an agile and adaptable work environment, and are you committed to continuous learning and improvement?
- Are you passionate about fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, and do you embody SumUp’s values of humility and empathy?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider their alignment with SumUp’s values and work style to ensure a strong cultural fit and a successful integration into the team.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high-performing team and fostering their growth in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Driving organic growth in a competitive market with limited resources
- Balancing the need for short-term results with long-term strategic planning
- Adapting to changes in the SEO landscape and emerging technologies
ASSUMPTION: This role presents significant challenges and opportunities for experienced SEO professionals looking to make a significant impact on the company’s organic growth strategy.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other SEO roles, this position focuses on driving organic growth across a multi-product portfolio, requiring a strong strategic mindset and leadership skills
- SumUp’s focus on empowering small businesses sets it apart from other financial services companies, offering a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the industry
- This role offers excellent growth opportunities for experienced SEO professionals looking to take on a senior leadership position and drive significant business growth
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and values.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy to drive organic growth for SumUp’s Business Account, Tap to Pay, and SuperApp products
- Conducting a thorough technical SEO audit of SumUp’s website and identifying opportunities for improvement
- Building and optimizing local off-page strategies to improve search visibility and drive customer acquisition in key markets
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth and depth of the SEO Lead’s responsibilities and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company’s organic growth strategy.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics, and how this role fits into the broader marketing department?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does SumUp support the professional development and growth of its SEO team members?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the SEO team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does SumUp measure the success of its SEO efforts, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) will I be responsible for tracking?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, well-researched questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to driving organic growth at SumUp.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant SEO experience and achievements
- Prepare for the technical SEO assessment or case study by brushing up on your knowledge of SEO best practices and tools
- Research SumUp’s company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
