AVP SEO – Lead MENA Regional SEO Practice

About the role

We are looking for a commercially minded, inspirational leader to serve as AVP, SEO MENA and head up our regional SEO practice. This senior leadership role carries full accountability for the department’s performance, including business operations, product evolution, talent development, new‑business generation and integration with the wider network of practices.

Key responsibilities

• Set the regional SEO vision, strategy and operating plan while owning revenue, profitability and growth targets.
• Define and advance WPP’s regional SEO proposition, building a product roadmap that covers technical SEO, content strategy, digital PR, enterprise and commerce SEO, measurement and emerging search experiences.
• Lead, coach and inspire the regional SEO leadership team, attract and develop high‑calibre talent, and create clear career pathways and succession plans.
• Drive regional business development through pipeline creation, pitches, proposals and client presentations, and grow SEO within existing accounts.
• Integrate SEO with content, paid media, data & analytics, technology, UX, creative, CRM, social and PR to deliver connected client growth agendas.

Required profile

• Significant experience in SEO, organic growth or digital marketing, typically gained in an agency, consultancy, technology company or complex in‑house environment.
• Proven track record leading a substantial SEO team, department or regional practice.
• Strong understanding of modern SEO across technical, content, authority, analytics and commercial dimensions.
• Clear perspective on the future of search, including generative AI, answer engines, automation and evolving user behaviour.
• Experience contributing to operating plans, revenue and margin targets, and winning high‑value enterprise client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to develop SEO products, methodologies, frameworks and scalable service offerings.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence senior clients, internal leaders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven record of hiring, developing and motivating high‑performing talent.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and commercial skills.
• Strategic mindset combined with sufficient technical knowledge to understand delivery realities.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial and pragmatic leadership style.