Head of Search Marketing (PPC, SEO and GEO/AI Search) Base salary up to £110,000 30% bonus benefits Location: Hertfordshire office Working set up: Hybrid working - 3 days per week in office (unfortunately this isnt negotiable) Some search roles are about channels. This one is about ownership, driving commercial outcomes and leadership. A big brand in the hospitality and leisure industry is looking to appoint a new Head of Search Marketing, a senior leadership role sitting at the heart of a fast-evolving digital function. Its a chance to take real responsibility for how paid (PPC), organic and AI-driven discovery come together to drive revenue, not just traffic. This is a newly created position. Which matters. Youre not inheriting someone elses playbook. Youre defining the direction, setting the standards, and building a search engine that works as a system rather than a set of silos. This is a dynamic trading-based environment where converting D2C clicks to sales at scale happens. So, the business is looking for someone who understands how to create strategy and execute it within a highly competitive and dynamic market, as well as handle the typical challenges which will typically arise operationally and make the necessary adjustments to ensure targets and objectives are delivered by the team. Why this role will appeal If youre at a point where pure channel leadership feels limiting, this role offers something broader. Youll own a significant (8 figure) multi-million pound search budget, lead a specialist team across PPC, SEO and AI/GEO, and operate as a commercial partner to brand, product and performance leadership. Theres also something exciting happening here. As the company embraces the changing search marketing landscape - AI summaries, LLMs, new forms of visibility. The company wants someone who doesnt just react to that shift, but helps shape how the business shows up in this new landscape. What youll actually be doing Owning the end-to-end search strategy across PPC, SEO and AI/GEO, with revenue and ROI as the north star Leading and developing a team of search specialists, setting clarity, pace and standards Managing and optimising a substantial paid media budget across Google and Bing Creating roadmaps for technical SEO, content and AI visibility that stakeholders can actually buy into Working closely with brand, product and analytics teams to align search with wider commercial goals Representing search confidently in senior forums, trading meetings and roadmap discussions Who this is likely to suit Youll already be operating at a senior level within the search marketing industry with experience across both paid media and organic, could be youre working at an ambitious SME but feel its time to get that big brand on your CV and step into the big leagues. Or you could be working in an agency, leading the search/performance marketing teams, setting the strategy and direction. Which includes innovation strategies which helps keep your agency at the forefront of the search marketing industry. Youre used to owning budgets, making decisions and being held accountable for outcomes. You understand consumer facing brands and how they drive traffic, conversions and ROI through their websites. Bonus points if this includes understanding how booking engines work. EXPERIENCE/BACKGROUND Youve led PPC and organic search functions for high profile B2C/D2C trading based websites and can speak to the results youve successfully overseen delivery of, as well as driven step-changes to Youve a credible background defining and delivering strategy for search marketing, influencing SLT teams to get behind your initiatives, driving the agenda You see paid and organic as complementary, not competing Youre commercially minded and comfortable making judgement calls with imperfect data Youre curious about AI and GEO, but grounded enough to avoid chasing noise You can lead specialists without needing to be the deepest expert in every room If youre looking for a role with genuine scale, influence and future-facing relevance, this one is worth a conversation. Want to Apply? Heres how: Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. You can share your Linked-in profile or email me a CV it doesnt have to be up to date, we can work on that once you decide you want to take this forward. Or, for a chat and more information please contact me on: Colin Doree Recruiter | Blue Pelican 01892 507122