AuthorAlex Ryan
LinkedIn
Spoiler alert: Yes, your SEO agency does need a Project Manager, and here’s why.
When I received an email from a recruiter asking if I was interested in an SEO Project Manager role, my first thought was that it must be a joke. In fact, I almost dismissed it as spam. Having spent over a decade working in marketing and SEO, with recent years focused on account management and website delivery, I figured this kind of role was rare, almost like a unicorn type job. But, to my surprise, it was real.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, SEO has become more complex and ever-evolving, with client expectations, deliverables, and search engine algorithms constantly shifting. As search engines continue to refine their algorithms with AI-driven updates and user-focused changes, SEO agencies face mounting pressure to deliver measurable results efficiently.
While SEO agencies have traditionally operated without a dedicated Project Manager, this role is quickly becoming indispensable. An SEO Project Manager bridges the gap between the creative, client-facing teams, and operations, ensuring seamless collaboration to deliver high-quality work. This role ensures the delivery process runs smoothly, timelines are met, budgets are maintained, and internal teams and clients remain aligned throughout. In an industry where priorities can change overnight, having someone to oversee the entire process can be a game changer for the organisation, client satisfaction, and long-term success.
What Does a Project Manager Bring to SEO?
Organisation and Efficiency
At the heart of an SEO Project Manager’s role is bringing structure and efficiency to the overall delivery process. They establish a clear, well-defined roadmap for the team, ensuring that every task is organised and each phase of the work is executed without disruption. By coordinating the workflow, they prevent overlap, miscommunication, and confusion that can arise in fast-paced and creative environments. With their oversight, tasks are prioritised, deadlines are met, and the team stays aligned. They not only support the team but also free up time for senior leaders.
Time Management & Task Prioritisation
Time management and task prioritisation are critical in SEO, where team members work across multiple clients, projects and deadlines. Having someone with a bird's eye view of all ongoing projects, deliverables and timelines not only ensures that nothing slips through the cracks but also provides crucial support to the teams working on day-to-day tasks.
A Project Manager keeps everything running like clockwork, making sure that resources are allocated wisely and high-priority tasks are tackled first. This not only ensures that deadlines are met but that results are delivered effectively.
Resource Management
An SEO Project Manager excels at coordinating between internal delivery teams, copywriters, and external freelancers. By effectively planning resources for each account, they ensure that team members are working within their allocated hours and budgets. This strategic approach minimises delays and ensures that the right skills are applied to the right tasks, leading to a more streamlined workflow and successful project deliverables.
How Does the Project Manager Role Work At NOVOS?
At NOVOS, Project Managers oversee the delivery processes and frameworks, risk assessment, and collaborate closely with SEO Managers to define tasks and ensure quality control.
The Project Manager sits at the intersection of operations and delivery. Although they are not client-facing, they work alongside the Head of Departments, Client Services and SEO Managers to ensure that all projects are set up correctly regarding budgets, frameworks, and deliverables. Additionally, they compile reports and relay specific information, such as efficiency and profitability, to various stakeholders, including senior team members.
The Skill Set of an SEO Project Manager
Understanding SEO Fundamentals
Due to the creative nature of the industry and the diverse internal structures of agencies, it’s crucial to tailor the Project Manager role to suit and enhance your organisation. This is why a generic Project Manager without SEO experience may not possess the necessary skills for an agency environment. The ideal candidate must have a deep understanding of both the creative aspects of digital marketing and the analytical components of project management, a mixture of the right and left brain, if you will.
SEO Project Managers need a unique skill set that distinguishes them from traditional Project Managers. A solid understanding of SEO fundamentals is essential. Unlike general Project Managers, SEO Project Managers need to be familiar with the specifics of each task, including the necessary steps and time required for delivery. This in-depth knowledge allows them to navigate the nuances of SEO work effectively and ensure that all efforts align with the client's objectives.
Adaptability in a Fast-Changing Industry
Adaptability is crucial in the ever-evolving landscape of SEO, where trends, algorithms, and strategies shift rapidly. Consequently, successful Project Managers in this field must remain agile, prepared to adjust strategies in response to the latest developments. They must navigate these changes while ensuring that the team isn’t overstretched, budgets aren’t exceeded, and deliverables remain within scope.
Communication Skills
Effective communication is paramount in the role of an SEO Project Manager. While SEO specialists often dive deep into the technical intricacies of their tasks, the Project Manager acts as a bridge, translating complex work into a narrative that resonates with various stakeholders, including senior teams, heads of departments, and SEO managers. Each group requires the same information presented from different perspectives, whether the focus is on service delivery, efficiency, or profitability. Moreover, Project Managers must communicate effectively with the SEO team, demonstrating a clear understanding of their tasks and fostering an environment of collaboration and clarity.
Why Every UK SEO Agency Should Invest in a Project Manager
Investing in a dedicated Project Manager can significantly benefit SEO agencies. First and foremost, higher client satisfaction is achieved when timelines are consistently met and clear communication is maintained, leading to improved client retention and less turnover.
Project managers boost team morale and alleviate stress by enabling SEO experts to concentrate on their core tasks, freeing them from the responsibilities of project coordination and providing a broader view of the larger project framework, including deadlines, budgets, and time allocation.
This approach not only fosters a positive working environment but also increases ROI for the agency, efficient project completion with fewer mistakes or delays directly boosts profitability.
Investing in a Project Manager for an SEO agency is not merely advantageous, it is essential for growth, enhancing efficiency, and upholding high standards in a competitive environment. By rethinking operations and recognising project management as a critical element of their SEO strategy, agencies can significantly improve their overall performance.
I’ve noticed at NOVOS that this approach has not only boosted team morale and efficiency but has also resulted in reduced client churn, proving the value of dedicated project management in the SEO world.
Not only have I learned that the SEO Project Manager role is real, it makes a very real positive impact on the business.
Stay tuned for my in depth guide of how to find the right Project Manager for your organisation.
