The SEO industry has continuously evolved, giving way to new roles and titles corresponding to the various levels of skill sets and responsibility. More common roles would include SEO Lead and SEO Manager, whose titles lead organizations into asking questions of hierarchy, responsibility, and professional progression.
Also, we will explain and differentiate the roles and responsibility of these two occupations and where they stand in the hierarchy within an organization.
What Does an SEO Lead Do?
An SEO Lead is often thought to be a specialist who spearheads particular SEO strategies or projects. They don’t always lead a team but can initiate, bringing the depth of experience to the table.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing and implementing SEO strategies
- Technical SEO implementations.
- Advance keyword research and analysis
- Cooperation with the content, development, and marketing teams
- Stay updated about the latest trends in SEO and changes in algorithms.
Key Skills:
- Deep technical knowledge of the SEO tools and platforms.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to lead projects and innovate in SEO practices.
What is an SEO Manager?
An SEO Manager usually has a wider scope of work, bringing leadership together with strategy and execution. They have to oversee the overall performance of the SEO team and align their efforts with business objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee a team of SEO specialists, analysts, and content creators.
- Assigning tasks and ensuring deadlines.
- Oversee on-page and off-page SEO strategies.
- Web performance analysis and reporting metrics to stakeholders.
- Budget planning for tools, resources, and campaigns.
Key Skills:
- Must have strong leadership and communication skills.
- Should have experience in team management and project coordination.
- Should be proficient with SEO tools and marketing strategies.
Hierarchy Comparison
In most organizations, the hierarchy between an SEO Lead and an SEO Manager depends on the company’s structure and the focus of each role.
When SEO Lead is Higher:
- The SEO Lead is the head of SEO strategy across the organization and reports directly to senior executives like the Marketing Director or VP.
- They might oversee multiple managers or teams working on different aspects of SEO.
When SEO Manager is Higher:
- The SEO Manager oversees the SEO Lead and other team members.
- They are accountable for strategy and execution, so all SEO work is directly aligned with the business’ overall objectives.
Level Equivalents:
- Sometimes these roles are level equivalent but focused on different things. The SEO Manager may have an operations focus, whereas the SEO Lead has an innovation and strategy focus.
Key Differences
| Aspect | SEO Lead | SEO Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Vision | Focuses on long-term SEO strategy and innovation. | Balances strategic goals with day-to-day operational tasks. |
| Project Ownership | Takes ownership of high-level, specialized projects. | Manages multiple projects and ensures team collaboration. |
| Leadership Style | Leads by expertise and example, often as a subject matter expert. | Manages people, tasks, team dynamics, and collaboration. |
| Collaboration | Works closely with senior executives, developers, and content teams on technical strategies. | Coordinates with cross-functional teams in marketing, sales, and product teams. |
| Focus Area | Specializes in niche areas like technical SEO, local SEO, or content optimization. | Maintains a broader view of the SEO process to align with business objectives. |
| Metrics Focus | Focuses on advanced metrics like crawl efficiency, Core Web Vitals, and algorithm changes. | Monitors broader indicators such as organic traffic, rankings, and conversion rates. |
| Problem-Solving | Addresses advanced SEO issues requiring technical expertise. | Solves organizational issues like resource allocation and deadline management. |
| Resource Utilization | Recommends tools, technologies, and processes for efficiency. | Manages tool budgets and ensures team training on proper use. |
| Training Role | Trains the team in advanced SEO techniques and industry trends. | Provides general direction, feedback, and mentoring to team members. |
| Decision Power | Provides expert opinions for final approval from seniors. | Has authority to decide on campaigns, tools, and team actions. |
| Reporting Role | Generates technical reports for senior management. | Consolidates team reports and prepares performance summaries for stakeholders. |
| Policy Influence | Influences technical SEO policies and their implementation guidelines. | Establishes workflows, deadlines, and task priority policies for the team. |
| Customer Interaction | Rarely interacts with clients or external stakeholders. | Frequently communicates with clients and stakeholders to align SEO goals. |
| Innovation | Drives innovation in SEO practices by experimenting with new strategies. | Ensures innovation is scalable and aligned with business goals. |
Career Ladder
SEO Specialist → SEO Lead → Head of SEO/Director
SEO Specialist → SEO Manager → Senior SEO Manager → Head of SEO/Director
Both types provide room to advance based on specific skill areas. Whether you shine at developing creative ideas and strategies, making you the best for being an SEO Lead. You can focus more on managing a team and its processes if leadership excites you and want to climb up into some managerial career.
Conclusion
SEO Lead and SEO Manager are different roles in the hierarchy of SEO, and they have different responsibilities and skillsets associated directly with the position. SEO Lead usually deals with strategies and innovations, while SEO Manager handles the leadership and operational functions related with the position. It helps professionals to choose the correct career path as per their strength and aspiration.
It holds a great promise for a good career in the limitless expanding field of SEO, whether an individual wants to become an SEO Lead or an SEO Manager.
FAQs
Can an SEO Lead and an SEO Manager collaborate?
Yes, both often work closely together. The SEO Lead may focus on technical SEO or strategic projects, whereas the SEO Manager ensures that the efforts of the team are aligned with the overall business goals.
Does an SEO Lead always report to an SEO Manager?
Not necessarily. In some companies, the SEO Lead reports directly to senior executives, bypassing the manager. This depends on the organizational structure.
Which role has higher pay: SEO Lead or SEO Manager?
Compensation varies based on location, company size, and responsibilities. However, SEO Managers often earn more due to their broader responsibilities and team management duties.
Is it better to aim for an SEO Lead or SEO Manager position?
It all depends on what you are looking for in your career. If you enjoy doing high-level strategy and technical projects, SEO Lead is the best choice. If you like to manage people and operations, then SEO Manager is your best fit.
Can an SEO Manager become an SEO Lead?
Indeed, this is possible, especially when a manager wants to specialize in strategic or technical areas of SEO. Similarly, an SEO Lead can shift to a managerial role if there is the right leadership acumen.