SEO Outreach Specialist - South Africa (12 month contract)

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design.

Hey, g'day, howzit, sawubona, kia ora, 你好, hallo, vítejte!

Thanks for stopping by. We know job hunting can be a little time consuming and you're probably keen to find out what's on offer, so we'll get straight to the point.

Where and how you can work

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. But we like to think that's all part of the fun. So 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.

This is a hybrid role that combines deep content expertise with broader SEO ownership. You’ll be responsible for creating and managing high-quality, search-optimised content that informs, inspires, and converts local audiences—while also contributing to strategy, analysis, and execution across the SEO lifecycle.

Working closely with the African SEO Lead and local team, you’ll help identify growth opportunities, track performance, and drive initiatives forward. 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.

Canva is a fast-growing, mission-driven company, and we're looking for talented people who want to contribute to something meaningful. If you're excited about the opportunity to make an impact, show us what you've got—strong performers in this role have significant opportunities to grow with us.

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

Other stuff to know

We make hiring decisions to engage contractors based on your experience, skills and passion. When you signify interest, please tell us the pronouns you use and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process.

Please note that interviews are conducted virtually. Please complete your application in English.

We celebrate all types of skills and backgrounds at Canva so even if you don’t feel like your skills quite match what’s listed above - we still want to hear from you!

Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info.