News SEO Manager

We are looking for a strategic and highly experienced News SEO Manager to join us at Reach PLC. This role drives end‑to‑end SEO across our newsrooms, turning rigorous research into high‑impact content opportunities, using data analysis to uncover and resolve technical performance issues, and keeping senior editors informed on the latest Search developments, from Google Core Updates to emerging AI features.

Embedded within editorial and Audience Development teams, you’ll collaborate closely with audience specialists to ensure best‑practice is baked into daily workflows, monitor performance via Google Search Console/Tableau/Amplitude/SEMrush, track competitor performance via Marfeel/SEMrush/Sistrix, and turn insights into swift wins and longer‑term strategies.

You’ll stay on top of algorithm shifts and industry trends, deliver clear reports on organic growth and ranking improvements, support technical SEO (audits, Core Web Vitals, structured data), and shape smart internal/external linking to boost authority and discoverability.

This role can be fully home based or home & hub based linked to any of our UK hubs (London, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, Hull, Liverpool or Newcastle), so we are open to candidates across the UK.

About us

Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.

We're home to more than 120 trusted brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.

It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us the UK and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach 70% of the UK's online population and speak to over 100 million social followers around the world. And we’re just getting started…

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.

We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

What will the role involve?

You will conduct content and technical audits across our network and the wider market to identify high-impact opportunities, shaping content strategies that drive growth through organic Search and Google Discover. You will use data-driven insights to advise our newsrooms on actionable ways to improve impressions, CTR and article ingestion. . Collaborating with editorial teams and Audience Development Specialists, you will embed SEO best practice in daily workflows and commissioning. You will monitor performance in Google Search Console/Tableau/Amplitude/SEMrush, identifying wins and areas for improvement, and translating findings into clear recommendations. 

You will stay up to date with algorithm changes and industry trends, such as zero click search, adapting strategies and sharing guidance with stakeholders, providing regular, insightful reports on organic traffic, rankings and engagement, highlighting actions and expected impact. You will support technical SEO, including site audits, page‑speed optimisation, structured data and mobile performance, in partnership with product and engineering. 

You will advise on internal and external linking strategies to build authority, improve crawlability and enhance discoverability. You will use approved AI tools to streamline content creation, improve accuracy and efficiency, and deliver engaging, trustworthy articles for our audiences. You will create compelling affiliate content aligned to brand guidelines, researching products, understanding target audiences and crafting copy that drives click‑through and conversions to partner sites. You will tailor content for off‑platform channels to extend reach and engagement, and, where approved by a senior editor, distribute it while upholding editorial standards. 

Who are we looking for?

You are an analytical thinker with a passion for continuous learning, and a creative problem-solver who loves experimenting with new SEO tactics. You are meticulous and detail-oriented and adapt quickly to shifting priorities and the requirements of the business. You have a deep understanding of SEO, Google Discover, GEO, and Core Updates, with the ability to foresee challenges and make changes.

You have demonstrable experience in SEO and Google Discover strategy and hands-on optimisation, with a strong understanding of on-page, off-page, and technical SEO fundamentals. You are proficient with leading SEO and analytics tools including Google Search Console, SEMrush, Similarweb, Moz, Ahrefs, Marfeel, and Amplitude & Chartbeat (or equivalent). You have proven experience working in a fast paced newsroom or digital publishing environment and can facilitate SEO training across Reach. 

You are an excellent communicator with outstanding written skills, who can explain complex concepts in simple terms, and you collaborate naturally, enjoying close partnership with editors, writers, and developers. You can manage your time superbly, work effectively as part of a team, and remain professional at all times. 

How we'll look after you

We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you'll get a range of benefits, including:

• 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays), as well as an extra day after you've been with us for three, five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.

• An extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.

• Big moment day - an extra day’s paid leave for a moment that matters to you - like getting married, moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!)

• Bonus scheme - you'll get a stake in our success and a chance to add to your annual earnings.

• Help saving for your retirement - we'll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.

• Supportive and progressive people policies - we’re proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldn’t have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us, which is why we share this overview of the policies we have in place to support families and carers. If there's something you want to understand more about, just ask - it won’t make a difference to your application.

• A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments.

• Car lease scheme - you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice.

• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.

• Access to lots of discounts - including 15% off with Reach's very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.

• Interest-free loans - including for season tickets and technology.

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.