Head of Search Engine Optimization

Head of Search Engine Optimization Company: Metropolitan Premium Properties

Location: Dubai, UAEDepartment: MarketingFor more information: bhavana.rijal@mpd.aeAbout Metropolitan Premium PropertiesWe are seeking an experienced Head of SEO (SEO Manager) to lead our organic search strategy, strengthen our online visibility and drive measurable growth in qualified property enquiries across multiple websites, languages and markets.This is a strategic leadership role for an SEO professional with deep technical expertise, proven team management experience and a strong understanding of international SEO, multilingual websites and emerging AI-powered search platforms.Key Responsibilities1.

SEO Strategy & LeadershipDevelop and execute a comprehensive SEO strategy aligned with the company’s commercial objectives and lead-generation targets.Lead the SEO function, managing team performance, workflows, priorities and resource allocation.Establish clear KPIs, performance benchmarks and reporting processes for organic traffic, rankings, qualified leads and conversions.Manage SEO priorities across multiple large-scale websites, audiences and business requirements.Present monthly performance reports, insights and strategic recommendations to marketing and executive leadership.Monitor search engine algorithm updates, competitor activity and developments in traditional and AI-powered search.2. Technical SEO & Website OptimisationLead technical SEO audits and oversee improvements to crawling, indexing, website architecture, internal linking and site performance.Optimise Core Web Vitals, structured data, canonical tags, XML sitemaps, robots.txt and URL structures.Manage duplicate content, indexation challenges and large-scale, frequently updated property catalogues.Lead website migrations, domain changes, URL restructuring and CMS transitions while minimising organic traffic and ranking losses.Collaborate with developers through Jira or similar project management tools to prioritise, implement and validate technical SEO requirements.Ensure multilingual websites are structured correctly, including hreflang implementation, language targeting and international site architecture.3. International, Multilingual & Local SEODevelop and implement international SEO strategies across multiple markets and languages.Build tailored keyword and content strategies for different audiences rather than relying on direct translations of existing content.Optimise local search visibility across relevant locations, including Google Business Profiles and location-specific landing pages.Identify opportunities to expand organic visibility in key property markets and attract international investors and buyers.Ensure content, metadata, internal links and search intent are aligned with the requirements of each target market.4. AI Search & Generative Engine OptimisationDevelop strategies to improve Metropolitan Premium Properties’ visibility across AI-powered search experiences, including ChatGPT Search and Google AI experiences.Monitor brand mentions, recommendations, source citations and competitor visibility across AI search platforms.Analyse how AI search engines discover, interpret and reference the company’s website and property-related content.Implement improvements to content structure, entity coverage, technical accessibility and source credibility to strengthen visibility in AI-generated answers.Establish measurement frameworks to track changes in AI search presence and evaluate the impact of optimisation initiatives.Keep the business ahead of developments in generative engine optimisation (GEO) and AI-driven discovery.5. Content Strategy & Keyword ResearchLead keyword research, search intent analysis, content gap analysis and competitor benchmarking.Develop content strategies that support property sales, leasing, off-plan developments, area guides and investment-related searches.Work with content writers and marketing teams to produce high-quality, search-focused content for different audiences and languages.Optimise existing landing pages, property pages, area guides and other high-value website content.Use AI tools to improve research, content planning, data analysis and workflow efficiency while maintaining quality, accuracy and brand standards.6. Organic Lead Generation & Performance AnalyticsDrive sustainable growth in qualified organic leads, property enquiries and other commercially valuable conversions.Analyse the relationship between keyword rankings, organic sessions, lead quality and sales-related outcomes.Use Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Search Console and other SEO platforms to identify opportunities and measure performance.Build and maintain leadership dashboards in Looker Studio or similar reporting platforms.Deliver monthly reporting covering performance against targets, lead-generation contribution, strategic initiatives and areas for improvement.Use data-driven insights to prioritise activities that deliver the greatest commercial return.7. Off-Page SEO, Digital PR & Link AcquisitionDevelop and oversee ethical link-acquisition strategies to strengthen domain authority and organic visibility.Manage external SEO agencies, publishers and vendors, ensuring quality, relevance and measurable value.Identify digital PR opportunities, industry partnerships and relevant publications that support brand visibility.Monitor backlink profiles, competitor link strategies and potential risks associated with low-quality links.8. Stakeholder & Team ManagementRecruit, develop and manage SEO team members, setting clear objectives and performance expectations.Work closely with web developers, content teams, performance marketers, brand teams and senior stakeholders.Coordinate SEO requirements across internal teams and external agencies.Establish scalable SEO processes, quality assurance standards and documentation.Promote the effective use of AI and automation to improve productivity, reporting and decision-making.RequirementsFluent English, both written and spoken. A second language is essential: Russian or Arabic.7+ years of SEO experience, including at least 3 years leading an SEO team or function.Proven experience managing SEO for multiple large-scale websites simultaneously, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and deliver results across different businesses and audiences.Strong background in international and multilingual SEO, with successful projects across several languages and markets. Experience developing local SEO strategies beyond translating existing content.Excellent technical SEO skills, including crawling and indexing, website architecture, internal linking, duplicate content management, Core Web Vitals and multilingual website configuration.Essential experience managing large, frequently updated property or product catalogues.Proven experience delivering website migrations and URL restructuring while protecting organic traffic and search rankings.Experience working directly with developers to scope, prioritise and deliver technical SEO improvements through Jira or similar project management systems.Demonstrable success increasing qualified organic leads, supported by measurable results and a clear understanding of SEO’s contribution to enquiries and sales.Experience reporting SEO performance and commercial contribution to marketing and executive leadership on a monthly basis.Practical experience improving brand visibility in AI-powered search, including recommendations and source citations across platforms such as ChatGPT Search and Google AI experiences. Must be able to monitor AI search results, analyse competitor visibility, implement improvements and measure changes over time.Confident use of AI tools for SEO research, content planning, data analysis and process automation, with appropriate quality control.Experience managing an SEO team and collaborating effectively with developers, content teams, marketing stakeholders and external agencies.Hands-on experience working with large language models (LLMs), including prompt design, selecting between models and providers, using structured outputs, and evaluating output quality against defined criteria before publication or use in business decisions.Preferred QualificationsExperience in real estate, classifieds or marketplace SEO, including competing with major property portals and aggregators.Experience with link acquisition and digital PR, including vendor management and quality control.Experience building leadership dashboards in Looker Studio or similar, using data from GA4 and Google Search Console.Experience working with WordPress, Webflow and custom CMS platforms.Experience implementing SEO automation, AI-assisted workflows and scalable processes across large websites.Familiarity with SEO tools such as Ahrefs, Semrush, Screaming Frog, Sitebulb or equivalent platforms.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Performance will be measured against agreed targets, including:Growth in qualified organic leads and property enquiries.Organic traffic growth across priority websites and markets.Improved rankings and visibility for commercially valuable keywords.Technical SEO health, crawlability and indexation performance.Organic conversion rates and contribution to business objectives.Visibility and citation performance across AI-powered search platforms.Successful delivery of technical SEO projects, migrations and website improvements.Team performance, reporting accuracy and delivery against agreed SEO roadmaps.What We OfferThe opportunity to lead and shape the SEO strategy of a leading UAE real estate brokerage.A strategic leadership position with direct influence on digital growth and lead generation.Collaboration with experienced marketing, technology and business teams.The opportunity to develop innovative SEO strategies across international markets and emerging AI search platforms.A dynamic, ambitious working environment within Metropolitan Premium Properties.Join Metropolitan Premium Properties and help shape the future of organic and AI-powered search in the UAE real estate market.