📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: SEO Manager - German Market
🔹 Company: Sortlist
🔹 Location: Brussels, Belgium (Hybrid work model)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing SEO strategies for the German market
- Driving organic traffic growth and market share through data-driven initiatives
- Collaborating cross-functionally with tech SEO, content, link building, and paid teams
- Monitoring SEO performance and staying updated on AI-related SERP changes
- Working in a dynamic, international scale-up environment
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong focus on the German market, so fluency in German is essential. The successful candidate will have experience working on multi-language or international SEO projects.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ SEO Strategy & Planning: Develop and implement SEO strategies tailored to the German market, driving organic traffic and market share growth.
✅ SEO Performance Monitoring: Track SEO performance using tools like Google Search Console, GA4, and Looker Studio, with a focus on local intent and SERP features specific to the German market.
✅ Keyword Research & On-Page Optimization: Conduct keyword discovery, expansion, clustering, and topical authority mapping based on semantic SEO and E-E-A-T guidelines. Perform on-page analysis and support content localization, UX optimization, and structured data implementation.
✅ Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with tech SEO, content, link building, and paid teams to align on high-impact initiatives and ensure SEO best practices are integrated into all projects.
✅ SEO Experimentation & Reporting: Drive SEO experiments, analyze user behavior data, and provide actionable insights to stakeholders. Regularly report on SEO performance and progress towards goals.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive approach to staying updated on the latest SEO trends, tools, and algorithm changes, particularly those related to AI and local ranking factors.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field.
Experience: 2+ years of proven experience as an SEO specialist, with a track record of driving results in highly competitive search environments (e.g., legal, finance, SaaS, B2B). Experience working on German-language SEO projects is a must; native or fluent German is a major plus.
Required Skills:
- Proficient in Web Analytics (GA4, Looker Studio), Search Console, and technical SEO audits
- Hands-on experience with top SEO tools: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Oncrawl, JetOctopus, Screaming Frog, SurferSEO
- Strong understanding of search intent, content design, and modern ranking factors
- Excellent communication skills; ability to report clearly and persuasively with data
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with Google Data Studio or other data visualization tools
- Familiarity with A/B testing and user experience research methods
- Knowledge of German market trends and consumer behavior
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience with AI-related SEO tools and strategies would be beneficial for this role, given the company's focus on AI-driven growth.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €45,000 - €60,000 per year (Based on experience and market standards for SEO managers in Belgium)
Benefits:
- Meal vouchers
- Health insurance
- Progressive vacation plan
- Net allowances
- Company car or mobility budget (for Belgium-based employees)
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work model (3 days in office, 2 days remote)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market standards for SEO managers in Belgium. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Sortlist operates in the competitive online marketplace platform industry, connecting businesses with marketing and digital partners. The company is focused on driving growth through data-driven algorithms and expanding into new markets.
Company Size: Sortlist is a scale-up with 51-200 employees, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment with opportunities for growth and impact.
Founded: Sortlist was founded in 2014 and has since grown to operate in more than 100 countries, with plans to expand further in 2025.
Company Description:
- Sortlist is transforming how companies find their ideal marketing and digital partners through data-driven algorithms
- The company is active in more than 100 countries and plans to scale up globally in 2025
- Sortlist raised €11M in Series B funding, fueling its ambition to expand into new markets
Company Specialties:
- Agency relationship
- Agency selection
- Marketing
- Creative partner
- Agency Search
- Digital Agency
- Creative Agency
- Matchmaking
- Marketplace
- Advertising
- Community
- Marketplace
- On demand economy
- Outsource
- Communication
- Service
- Matchmaker
- Talent
- Sourcing
- Supplier
- Hire
- B2B
- Review
- Services
- IT
- and Digital
Company Website: www.sortlist.com
ASSUMPTION: Sortlist's focus on data-driven growth and expansion into new markets presents exciting opportunities for the right candidate to make a significant impact in this role.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for an experienced SEO specialist looking to take on a management role with strategic responsibilities.
Reporting Structure: The SEO Manager will report directly to the Head of SEO and work closely with cross-functional teams, including tech SEO, content, link building, and paid teams.
Work Arrangement: The hybrid work model offers flexibility, with employees working 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Sortlist continues to expand, there will be opportunities for the SEO Manager to grow within the SEO department or take on broader marketing responsibilities
- The company's focus on data-driven growth presents opportunities for the SEO Manager to drive strategic initiatives and influence the company's SEO roadmap
- Working in a scale-up environment offers the chance to wear multiple hats and gain diverse experience
ASSUMPTION: Given Sortlist's rapid growth and expansion plans, there is significant potential for the SEO Manager to grow and make a lasting impact in this role.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Sortlist's Brussels office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.
Office Location(s): Avenue Zénobe Gramme 29, Wavre, Brabant Wallon 1301, BE
Geographic Context:
- Brussels is a multicultural city with a vibrant business ecosystem, offering easy access to international markets and talent
- The Brussels-Capital Region is home to numerous multinational corporations and EU institutions, providing ample networking opportunities
- Belgium is known for its high quality of life, with a strong focus on work-life balance and social welfare
Work Schedule: The hybrid work model offers flexibility, with employees working 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely. Core hours are 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CET, with a one-hour lunch break.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work model and modern office space are designed to accommodate employees' needs and promote a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- Technical SEO assessment
- On-site or video interview with the SEO team and Head of SEO
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- SEO knowledge and expertise
- German language proficiency
- Data analysis and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Sortlist's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant SEO experience and German language skills
- Prepare for the technical SEO assessment by brushing up on your knowledge of tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Analytics
- Research Sortlist's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit during the interview
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to SEO strategy, performance monitoring, and cross-functional collaboration
ATS Keywords: SEO, German, Market, Strategy, Performance, Monitoring, Collaboration, Tools, Data, Analysis, Problem-Solving, Communication, Culture, Fit
ASSUMPTION: Sortlist's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical SEO skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and goals.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Oncrawl
- JetOctopus
- Screaming Frog
- SurferSEO
- Google Analytics (GA4, Looker Studio)
- Google Search Console
- Google Data Studio (preferred)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience with AI-related SEO tools and strategies would be beneficial for this role, given the company's focus on AI-driven growth.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Team: Collaboration and mutual support are essential for Sortlist's success
- Trust: Sortlist fosters a culture of transparency and open communication
- Talent: The company values expertise, continuous learning, and professional development
- Transparency: Sortlist encourages open dialogue and information sharing across teams
- Try: Sortlist embraces experimentation, iteration, and a growth mindset
Work Style:
- Data-driven: Sortlist makes decisions based on data and analytics
- Collaborative: The company encourages cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing
- Dynamic: Sortlist's fast-paced environment requires adaptability and resilience
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach SEO strategy development, and how have you adapted your strategies to different markets or languages in the past?
- Can you describe a time when you had to collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute a successful SEO campaign?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and tools, particularly those related to AI and local ranking factors?
ASSUMPTION: Sortlist's values and work style are designed to foster a collaborative, innovative, and data-driven culture that supports the company's growth and success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The German market is highly competitive, requiring a deep understanding of local trends, consumer behavior, and language nuances
- Sortlist's rapid growth and expansion plans may present challenges in terms of prioritizing initiatives and managing resources
- The hybrid work model may require additional self-discipline and time management skills to balance remote and on-site work effectively
- As a scale-up, Sortlist may face growing pains and changes in priorities, requiring adaptability and flexibility from its employees
ASSUMPTION: The SEO Manager will need to be proactive, adaptable, and strategic in addressing these challenges to drive success in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional SEO roles, this position focuses specifically on the German market, requiring a strong understanding of local language, culture, and consumer behavior
- Sortlist's data-driven approach to SEO sets it apart from other companies, offering unique opportunities for the SEO Manager to drive strategic initiatives and influence the company's SEO roadmap
- As a scale-up, Sortlist offers a dynamic and fast-paced work environment with ample opportunities for growth and impact, compared to more established companies
ASSUMPTION: The unique focus on the German market, data-driven approach, and dynamic work environment make this role distinct from other SEO positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive SEO strategy for a German-language e-commerce website, driving organic traffic growth and market share
- Conducting a technical SEO audit of a German-language news website and implementing recommendations to improve search visibility and user experience
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to optimize the on-page content and structure of a German-language B2B website, resulting in improved organic rankings and conversions
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the types of SEO initiatives the SEO Manager may be responsible for in this role, focusing on the German market and driving data-driven growth.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the SEO team's structure and how this role fits into the overall SEO strategy for Sortlist?
- How does Sortlist approach cross-functional collaboration, and what tools or processes are in place to facilitate this?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Sortlist support the professional development and growth of its SEO team members?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the SEO team in the German market, and how can this role help address them?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into Sortlist's SEO team structure, priorities, and growth opportunities, helping the candidate assess the fit of this role with their career goals and expectations.
📌 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, German language skills, and cultural fit with Sortlist's values
- Prepare for the technical SEO assessment by brushing up on your knowledge of tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Analytics
- Research Sortlist's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit during the interview
- Follow up with the Sortlist HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
