- Job Title: SEO Specialist
- Company: Howden
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (2 days on-site per week)
- Category: Marketing
- Date Posted: May 13, 2025
- Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
- Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting the international SEO strategy with a focus on regional content localization and management.
- Conducting comprehensive site audits and implementing technical updates to enhance organic search performance.
- Collaborating with various teams, including content, marketing, and product owners, to ensure SEO-optimized content.
- Monitoring and analyzing SEO KPIs to report on the impact of activities and present findings.
*ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of technical SEO skills, data analysis, and stakeholder management. It involves both strategic planning and hands-on implementation.*
📋 Key Responsibilities
- 🔑 Support the rollout and maintenance of the International SEO strategy across markets.
- 🔑 Collaborate with content and marketing teams to ensure user-first, SEO-optimized content.
- 🔑 Conduct comprehensive data-led site audits and deliver actionable insights.
- 🔑 Carry out necessary technical and on-page updates in the proprietary CMS.
- 🔑 Conduct topic, keyword, competitor, and user intent research to inform content build and optimization.
- 🔑 Regularly run test and learn activities and communicate findings.
- 🔑 Monitor and analyze the impact of activities, reporting on key SEO KPIs.
- 🔑 Create and contribute towards the improvement of team processes and documentation.
*ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive approach to staying updated with the latest SEO trends and algorithms, as well as strong attention to detail for accurate data analysis and reporting.*
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Experience: Minimum 3 years of proven SEO experience, ideally with hands-on experience in website migrations.
- Required Skills:
- Proficient understanding of how search engines work and modern SEO practices.
- Strong understanding of core updates and user-centric principles such as E-E-A-T, Helpful Content, YMYL, etc.
- Proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets, Google Analytics, and Google Search Console.
- Experience with tools like SEMrush or similar.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.
- Good numerical ability and comfort with data analysis.
- Preferred Skills:
- Experience with AI APIs, automation, and running or building Python scripts to support research and analysis.
- B2B and/or Financial Services Industry experience.
*ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong understanding of HTML and CSS would be beneficial for this role, as it involves working with a proprietary CMS and implementing technical updates.*
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on industry standards for mid-level SEO roles in London).
- Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Hybrid working arrangement with 2 days on-site per week.
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
- Reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities, including flexible hours and hybrid working (where possible).
- Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and hybrid working options.
*ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for mid-level SEO roles in London. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.*
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Insurance
- Company Size: Medium (201-500 employees)
- Founded: Howden was founded in 1994 and has since grown into a global collective of talented and passionate insurance professionals.
- Company Description: Howden is a collective of talented insurance experts with the freedom to deliver world-class results for clients. They offer services across insurance and reinsurance, underwriting, risk consultancy, and employee benefits. Their culture is defined by their shared passion and no-limits mindset.
- Company Specialties: Life & pensions, mortgages, commercial insurance, personal insurance, financial services, and employee benefits.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid-Level
- Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Digital Optimisation Manager and works closely with various teams, including marketing, content, and product owners.
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 2 days on-site per week in the London office.
- Growth Opportunities: As Howden continues to grow and expand, there may be opportunities for career progression within the Digital Customer Experience team or other departments.
*ASSUMPTION: While this role is currently based in London, there may be opportunities for remote work or relocation to other Howden offices in the future, depending on the company's growth and the employee's performance.*
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Hybrid, with a modern office located in Central London.
- Office Location(s): 133 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BX
- Geographic Context: London is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving insurance industry. The office is located in the City of London, close to public transportation links and various amenities.
- Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work from home for 3 days per week.
*ASSUMPTION: While the role is currently advertised as a hybrid position, there may be opportunities for full-time remote work or on-site work, depending on the employee's preferences and the company's policies.*
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: 1. Online application submission. 2. Phone or video screening. 3. Technical assessment. 4. Final interview with the hiring manager and/or team members.
- Key Assessment Areas: SEO knowledge, data analysis skills, communication and collaboration abilities, and cultural fit.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant SEO experience and skills.
- Include specific examples of your SEO achievements and the impact you've made in previous roles.
- Prepare for the technical assessment by brushing up on your SEO knowledge and data analysis skills.
- Research Howden's company culture and be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs.
*ASSUMPTION: As this role involves working with various teams and stakeholders, the interview process may include assessments or interviews with representatives from different departments.*
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
- SEMrush
- Excel/Google Sheets
- Python (for automation and research tasks)
- Howden's proprietary CMS
*ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may change over time as the company adopts new platforms or updates its existing ones.*
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Success comes from trying something new, supporting each other, and making a positive difference at work and beyond.
- Work Style: Howden values curiosity, passion, and varied backgrounds – both at work and personally. They encourage a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How have you demonstrated a willingness to try new things and push boundaries in your previous roles?
- Can you provide an example of how you've supported a colleague or team member to achieve success?
- How do you approach making a positive difference in your work and personal life?
*ASSUMPTION: Howden's culture is defined by its people, and they value diversity and inclusion. Applicants should be prepared to discuss how their personal values and work style align with Howden's company culture.*
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working with large datasets and complex SEO projects, which can be time-consuming and challenging.
- As the company continues to grow and expand, there may be changes to the role or team structure, which could present new challenges or opportunities.
- The hybrid work arrangement may require strong self-motivation and time management skills to balance on-site and remote work effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- How this role differs from related positions: This role focuses on international SEO strategy and regional content localization, whereas other SEO roles may focus on specific markets or channels. It also involves a strong emphasis on collaboration and stakeholder management.
- Industry-specific context: The insurance industry is competitive and highly regulated, which may impact the SEO strategy and approach to content localization.
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for career progression within the Digital Customer Experience team or other departments, such as marketing, content, or product management.
*ASSUMPTION: While this role is focused on SEO, there may be opportunities for career progression into related fields, such as content strategy, marketing, or product management, depending on the employee's skills and interests.*
📝 Sample Projects
- Conducting a comprehensive site audit and implementing technical updates to improve organic search performance for a newly launched insurance product.
- Developing and executing a regional content localization strategy to improve organic search visibility in key markets.
- Collaborating with the content team to optimize existing content and create new, SEO-optimized content for target keywords.
- Monitoring and analyzing SEO KPIs to identify trends and opportunities for improvement, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
*ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to provide a sense of the types of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role. The specific projects and priorities may change depending on the company's needs and the employee's skills and interests.*
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within it?
- How does this role support the company's overall digital strategy and business goals?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how have previous incumbents approached them?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
*ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to provide a sense of the types of questions you may want to ask during the interview process. The specific questions you ask may vary depending on your interests, the company's needs, and the information provided during the interview.*
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://hyperiongrp.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Hyperion_External/job/London/SEO-Specialist_R0012418-2).
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant SEO experience and skills.
- Prepare for the technical assessment by brushing up on your SEO knowledge and data analysis skills.
- Research Howden's company culture and be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter after submitting your application to express your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
