Join the Fortnum and Mason Family!

Fortnum & Mason is seeking an Interim Head of SEO & PPC to lead our organic and paid search strategy during a maternity cover period. This role will be responsible for ensuring our websites (both domestic and international) remain highly visible and authoritative across Google, Bing and emerging LLM-driven search experiences, while also delivering best-in-class paid search performance in partnership with our external PPC agency. The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership, hands-on expertise, and excellent stakeholder management to drive performance across one of the most iconic luxury retail brands in the world.

Job Overview

Fortnum & Mason is seeking an Interim Head of SEO & PPC to lead our organic and paid search strategy during a maternity cover period. This role will be responsible for ensuring our websites (both domestic and international) remain highly visible and authoritative across Google, Bing and emerging LLM-driven search experiences, while also delivering best-in-class paid search performance in partnership with our external PPC agency. The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership, hands-on expertise, and excellent stakeholder management to drive performance across one of the most iconic luxury retail brands in the world.

Role Logistics & Responsibilities

*        Contract: Interim maternity cover

*        Duration: 6 months

*        Start: Mid-February 2026

*        End: September 2026

*        Location: London / Hybrid

SEO & GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) Leadership

• Own and lead the SEO and GEO strategy for fortnumandmason.com and eu.fortnumandmason.com

• Ensure strong visibility across:

•  Google and Bing

• AI-driven search experiences (LLMs, AI Overviews, conversational search)

• Drive technical, on-page, content and authority optimisation

• Partner closely with:

• Content, brand and editorial teams

• Product and engineering teams

• Our external SEO agency

• Champion structured data, entity optimisation, content authority and E-E-A-T principles

• Monitor and respond to algorithm and LLM landscape changes

Paid Search (PPC) Leadership

• Act as senior internal owner of PPC across all markets

• Lead and challenge our external PPC agency to deliver:

• Best-in-class campaign strategy

• Strong ROI, ROAS and incrementality

• Continuous testing and optimisation

• Oversee:

• Brand and non-brand search

• Shopping / Performance Max

• Seasonal and gifting peaks (e.g. Mother’s Day and Easter)

• Ensure paid activity complements SEO and brand positioning

Commercial & Strategic Accountability

• Set clear performance targets and KPIs across SEO and PPC

• Own performance reporting and insight generation

• Ensure search supports key trading moments and gifting occasions

• Balance growth with brand protection and premium positioning

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience leading SEO at scale, ideally for a premium or content-rich brand

• Strong understanding of GEO / LLM visibility and the evolving search landscape

• Hands-on PPC expertise, with experience leading agencies

• Strong commercial mindset and ability to tie activity to revenue outcomes

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, seasonal retail environment

Why Join Fortnum & Mason?

• Competitive salary

• A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%

• 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday

• A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients

• A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally

• Excellent pension scheme

At Fortnum’s, we offer more than just a job; we provide the chance to be part of a storied legacy while driving modern, meaningful change. Expect opportunities to grow professionally in a supportive and collaborative environment where every day is extraordinary. If you’re an international trading expert, with a passion for luxury and creativity, we’d love to hear from you! 

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.

In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.