Deputy Head of News SEO

Location: Metro Headquarters – London
Position: Permanent 

Package Description

Our benefits package increases the longer you’ve been with us. Here’s what to expect:

• 25 days’ holiday (increasing by 1 per year up to a total of 30)
• Upon joining you will be automatically enrolled onto the Pension Plan at the minimum level of 5% employee contribution, 3% Company contribution. 
• Life cover under the Pension Plan of up to 3x your basic salary.
• DMGT Discounts (for discounts on online shopping, vouchers and reloadable cards)
• Subsidised canteen
• Onsite gym 
• Onsite nurse and GP clinics 
• Our Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted dining cards

Plus many other benefits….

Job Introduction

Metro.co.uk is looking for a talented Deputy Head of News SEO to join its SEO team, supporting the Head of SEO in implementing the Search strategy and continuing to grow Metro audience.

If you’re obsessed with breaking news, passionate about optimising content to get it ranking and bring in clicks, know how to win in Google Discover and can predict trends the newsroom will be writing about, this could be the role for you.

Working with section editors across all departments, you will play a key role in shaping the content Metro.co.uk covers, as well as helping to develop long-term strategies around Search content and engagement.

As well as the ability to spot stories that will drive Search traffic, suitable candidates will have a knack for suggesting engaging angles on news stories and be proactive on quiet news days. You will have experience using keyword research tools and know how to optimise content to rank.

Responsibilities will also include shift leading, taking ownership of SEO projects, ensuring Google’s best practices are adhered to by the newsroom and confidently advising reporters and editors across the site on all things Search. You will be comfortable using analytics software to support the Search strategy, as well as informing editors on their section’s performance with daily reporting and recommendations.

A keen interest in SEO news and how Google and other platforms affect publishers is must.

Responsibilities

• Direct the SEO team on a daily basis to ensure Metro stays ahead of breaking news and trends
• Support the Head of SEO with executing search strategies at large
• Liaise with the audience team at large to ensure editorial direction is aligned
• Represent SEO across new conferences, forward planning meetings and more
• Occasionally lead news conference to shape Metro coverage
• Work closely with colleagues across audience and editorial to shape Metro’s journalism to be the best it can be
• Deputise for the Head of SEO in their absence

Requirements Include

• At least 4 years experience working in SEO or audience roles in a newsroom
• Strong news sense and highly agile in a breaking news environment
• Confident dealing with key stakeholders and getting buy in
• Deep understanding of audience analytics and able to turn data into actionable insights
• Knowledge of SEO tools - including Google Trends, Semrush and News Dashboard
• Proactive in suggesting and developing new ideas around topics and types of content
• Confident in optimising and nurturing existing site content and offering SEO guidance to reporters on fresh pieces
• Ability to apply existing SEO skills and knowledge to new tasks
• Understanding of legal covenants such as the UK Editors’ Code of Practice
• Willingness to work in a dynamic, fast-paced 24/7 news environment
• Flexibility regarding shift patterns
• Some understanding of technical SEO

The above list is not exhaustive and constantly evolving, based on the needs of the business. Out of hours availability and a high level of adaptability are essential.

Please apply by sending an up-to-date CV, a note about yourself and why you’d be perfect for the team.

Any applications received without a CV will not be considered.

About dmg::media

dmg media’s brands deliver highly engaging, trusted content to millions of loyal customers around the globe, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The Mail brand reaches one in two Brits every month and is officially the best-read, most recognised, most engaged newsbrand in the country.*

Together, Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, MailOnline, Mail+, Metro, Metro.co.uk, i and inews.co.uk reach more than 10.1m people daily in the UK.*

Globally, dmg media’s brands reach 190M unique browsers every month across its domains and apps.**

Our newsbrands maintain an unwavering commitment to uncovering the stories that matter most to our readers, ensuring that we remain experts at delivering relevant and insightful content.

In October, the Mail became the largest news publisher on TikTok with over 7- million followers. 

*PAMCo H2 2023 **GA 2023 September

Our Commitment

We are committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

We are Disability Confident Committed. Please let us know if you require any recruitment documentation in other formats or if you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process. Please be assured that any such information will be held separately to your recruitment application and will not be considered as part of the selection process.