Content Marketing / SEO Specialist Job Description Template

-

Develop & Execute SEO Content Strategy: Research and define target keywords; plan content calendars and create or optimize content (blog posts, landing pages) around those keywords to increase relevant organic traffic

. This includes aligning topics with user search intent and business goals.

-

On-Page SEO Optimization: Optimize website pages and blog articles for search engines. This entails crafting effective meta titles and descriptions, using proper header tags (H1-H2 hierarchy), inserting keywords naturally into content, adding internal links, and ensuring images have alt text

. Continuously improve existing content for better rankings (e.g. updating outdated info, improving readability).

-

Technical SEO & Site Audits: Perform regular SEO audits to find and fix technical issues that could hurt rankings

. Monitor site health (crawl errors, broken links, duplicate content) and improve factors like site speed, mobile-friendliness, URL structure, and schema markup

. Coordinate with developers to implement technical fixes (e.g. fixing a robots.txt blocking pages, improving page load times).

-

Off-Page SEO & Link Building: Drive off-site SEO efforts by acquiring high-quality backlinks and mentions. Develop and execute link-building campaigns - for example, reach out to relevant industry websites for guest posts or partnership links

. Monitor the backlink profile and disavow toxic/ spam links if needed to protect domain authority.

-

SEO Performance Tracking & Reporting: Continuously monitor key SEO metrics (organic traffic, keyword rankings, click-through rates, conversion rates) using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console

. Analyze data to identify trends or opportunities, and compile clear reports that demonstrate the impact of SEO initiatives on traffic and lead generation. Translate data into insights and recommendations for stakeholders (e.g. "Organic traffic grew 20% QoQ, largely due to our new content on X topic").

-

Content Collaboration & CMS Management: Work closely with content creators (writers, content marketing managers) to ensure all published content is SEO-friendly and high-quality

. Provide SEO briefs or guidelines for new content, and review drafts for keyword alignment and on-page SEO before publication. Use the content management system (e.g. WordPress) to format and publish posts, including configuring SEO plugins (like Yoast or RankMath) and ensuring proper metadata.

-

Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with other teams such as product marketing, design, and sales. For example, coordinate with designers on infographic or image optimization, or with the web development team to implement site structure changes for SEO. Communicate SEO best practices and requirements to non-SEO teammates (educating colleagues on how their work can impact search performance).

-

Stay Current with SEO Trends: Keep up-to-date with search engine algorithm updates and evolving best practices . Continuously learn and experiment with new SEO tools or techniques (e.g. changes in Google's algorithm, emerging SEO strategies like voice search optimization) and adjust the strategy proactively to maintain and improve rankings.

-SEO Expertise (On-Page & Technical): Solid understanding of how search algorithms rank content and hands-on ability to optimize websites accordingly. This includes technical SEO know-how (site architecture, page speed optimization, mobile-friendly design, schema markup) and on-page tactics (keyword placement, meta tags, URL structure)

. For example, the specialist should know how to resolve indexing issues, optimize a page's title and headings, and ensure the site is crawlable. -Keyword Research & SEO Analysis: Proficient in conducting keyword research to identify high-value search terms and assess their relevance, search volume, and difficulty

. Able to analyze competitor keywords and use SEO analytics to find content gaps or new opportunities. Should be comfortable using keyword research tools and interpreting data (e.g. determining which keywords to target for a blog post based on strategic value). -Content Strategy & SEO Writing: Strong grasp of content marketing principles - capable of planning content topics that align with SEO goals and crafting SEO-friendly content. This means understanding how to write or guide others to write engaging, high-quality content that satisfies user intent while naturally incorporating target keywords . Must have solid writing and editing skills to adjust copy for clarity, tone, and SEO (e.g. adjusting a headline to include a keyword without sacrificing readability). -Link Building & Outreach: Experience developing and executing effective link-building strategies

. Knows how to earn quality backlinks through outreach, partnerships, or by creating "linkable" content assets (like infographics or research). Should understand what makes a backlink high-quality vs toxic, and be capable of conducting outreach emails to bloggers/webmasters for guest posts or link requests. -Web Analytics & SEO Tools: Proficiency in web analytics and SEO management tools. This includes Google Analytics and Google Search Console for tracking traffic and indexing , as well as SEO platforms like SEMrush or Ahrefs for keyword tracking and competitor analysis . Must be able to interpret data from these tools (e.g. analyze organic traffic trends, click-through rates, conversion rates) and generate insights. Familiarity with other tools such as Moz, Screaming Frog (for crawling site issues), and SEO plugins (Yoast SEO, etc.) is expected. -CMS and HTML/CSS: Competence with content management systems (especially WordPress) and basic HTML/CSS. The specialist should be comfortable publishing/updating content in the CMS, formatting articles, and using SEO plugins (e.g. Yoast, RankMath)

. Basic HTML/CSS knowledge is needed to troubleshoot on-page elements and ensure proper markup (for example, recognizing and fixing a misplaced <meta> tag or adding alt attributes to HTML image tags)

.-Data Analysis & Reporting: Strong analytical skills to interpret SEO data and measure results. Able to use spreadsheets or dashboards to analyze data sets (e.g. keyword rankings over time, traffic by page) and derive actionable conclusions. Should be skilled at creating clear reports or presentations that show SEO performance to stakeholders - translating metrics into business impact (for instance, connecting increased traffic to potential revenue or lead growth).

-Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical. The specialist must be able to explain SEO concepts and results to non-technical stakeholders in plain language

. For instance, the SEO specialist might pair with a developer to fix site issues or brainstorm with a writer on a blog idea. -Problem-Solving: Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills to tackle SEO challenges creatively

. When rankings drop or a site issue arises, the specialist should be able to investigate the root cause and figure out a solution (e.g. diagnosing a traffic drop due to a Google update and devising an action plan). They should enjoy analytical problem-solving, as SEO often requires figuring out why something isn't working and how to fix or improve it. -Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for detail is essential

. SEO involves many small elements (like meta tags, URLs, alt texts, analytics tracking codes) where mistakes can have consequences. The ideal candidate double-checks their work - for example, ensuring there are no typos in a title tag, that redirects are correctly set, or that data in a report is accurate. This precision prevents costly errors (such as broken links or incorrect analytics data). -Time Management & Organization: Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently

. In an SMB, the SEO specialist might juggle writing a content brief, fixing a site issue, and preparing a report all in the same week. Strong organization and prioritization skills are needed to handle this workload without dropping the ball - e.g. using project management tools or calendars to track content schedules, and knowing how to triage urgent issues versus important long-term tasks. -Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities or external changes. The digital landscape evolves quickly (search engine algorithm changes, new company objectives), so the specialist must handle change well. For example, if Google rolls out a core update that impacts rankings, they should quickly adjust strategy. Similarly, in a fast-paced SMB environment, priorities can shift - the specialist should be able to pivot plans and remain effective under changing conditions.