SEO Outreach Specialist - South Africa (12 month contract)

Job Description
Join the team redefining how the world experiences design.

While we support flexible ways of working, for this role we’re focusing on those that can be based in Johannesburg in a hybrid capacity so we can best support our teams and keep collaboration flowing.

This is a 12‑month contract working full‑time (40 hours per week) with potential to extend based on impact.

About the team
The International SEO team is responsible for improving SEO performance of logged‑out pages across the Canva website. Our mission in SEO is to empower every user in the world to discover Canva.

We’re a global team of specialists spanning keyword research, technical SEO, content strategy, outreach, engineering, data analytics, design, and operations. We work across many regions and languages, combining proven frameworks with deep local market expertise.

About the role
As Canva scales, change continues to be part of our DNA. This will give you the flavour of the type of things you’ll be working on when you start, but this will likely evolve. Canva’s SEO is world‑class, and we’re looking for a passionate SEO Content Specialist to join the International SEO team to help scale our next phase of growth in South Africa.

Working closely with the African SEO Lead and local team, you’ll balance hands‑on content creation with data‑informed decision making and cross‑functional collaboration, contributing to both ranking performance and long‑term domain growth in the local market.

What you’ll be doing
• Create and optimise high‑quality, SEO‑driven content (e.g. landing pages and blog articles) that aligns with Canva’s tone of voice, brand guidelines, and local audience needs.
• Own the execution of the editorial calendar and publishing plan, ensuring content is delivered on time and supports broader SEO and content strategy.
• Monitor and improve content performance by tracking key metrics, refreshing existing pages, and enhancing user engagement and conversion outcomes.
• Apply SEO best practices consistently, while identifying opportunities to improve content quality, workflows, and tools.
• Support SEO initiatives such as keyword research, competitor analysis, and content planning in partnership with the local SEO team.
• Use SEO tools and performance data to identify opportunities for content expansion, optimisation, and new page creation.
• Track, analyse, and report on content and SEO performance, using insights to inform decisions and iterate on strategy.
• Contribute to identifying and prioritising high‑impact opportunities across content and templates.
• Collaborate with the African SEO Lead and cross‑functional teams to align on priorities and execute SEO initiatives effectively.
• Contribute local market insights and user trends to inform both content and broader SEO strategy.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure content and SEO efforts support wider team and country goals.
• Stay informed on evolving search and discovery trends, including how users find information through AI‑powered platforms (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, etc.).
• Support experimentation with new content formats, optimisation techniques, and AI‑driven workflows to improve efficiency and impact.
You're probably a match if you
• Native or near‑native proficiency in English with strong communication skills for international collaboration.
• Proven experience in SEO content writing and/or content marketing, with a portfolio demonstrating successful outcomes.
• Strong copywriting and editing skills, including experience giving constructive feedback to other writers.
• Experience with editorial planning and publishing content in a CMS.
• Solid understanding of SEO fundamentals: keyword optimisation, content structure, user intent, and how content fits within broader SEO strategy.
• Familiarity with SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, Screaming Frog, or similar platforms.
• Experience using analytics tools to understand performance and inform optimisation decisions.
• Ability to balance hands‑on content execution with broader SEO thinking.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently.
• Data‑informed mindset with the ability to translate insights into action.
• Proactive communicator who thrives in collaborative, test‑and‑learn environments.
• Deep understanding of local cultural and linguistic nuances—you know what resonates with audiences in your market.
• Ability to identify opportunities specific to your market that may not be obvious from a global perspective.
• Interest in AI tools and emerging technologies, with a willingness to experiment and improve workflows.
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