Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Content Specialist

Content Creation & Optimization

• Champion content requirements for landing pages and blog articles, supporting the development of long-term content strategy by maintaining an up-to-date editorial calendar and publishing plan

• Create and edit SEO-optimized, engaging content about various design topics that align with the SEO team's content strategy and resonate with local audiences

• Upload and publish content that follows the latest SEO best practices and fits our local tone of voice (as defined by our language managers)

• Regularly track and optimize landing pages to maintain freshness, improve content credibility, and enhance user engagement

• Maintain a high level of quality and consistency in alignment with Canva's brand guidelines

• Provide feedback on content management systems, translation quality, and page layout to continuously improve efficiency and quality

Collaboration & Strategic Partnership

• Work closely with the wider Japan SEO team to align on goals, priorities, and SEO best practices that drive growth

• Support broader SEO activities such as keyword research, competitor analysis, and collaboration with Outreach Specialists for content production

• Collaborate with the country SEO team and broader marketing/community teams to ensure content strategy reflects local market dynamics and user needs

• Contribute local market intelligence and user insights that inform content priorities and opportunity identification

• Build relationships across functions to understand how your content work supports broader country initiatives

Navigating the Evolution of Search & Discovery

• Stay curious about emerging search and discovery trends in your market—including how users find information through AI-powered platforms (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google's AI Overviews, etc.)

• Understand where traditional SEO drives value versus where new channels and approaches may be more effective in your country

• Stay up to date on GEO/AEO evolutions and next-generation optimization techniques

• Be open to experimenting with new content formats and optimization approaches as the search landscape evolves

• Share observations and learnings about how users in your market discover content, contributing to our global understanding of emerging trends

Core Skills & Experience

• Native or near-native proficiency in Japanese with business-level English

• Proven experience in SEO content writing and/or content marketing, with a portfolio demonstrating successful outcomes (minimum of 3 years of SEO experience required)

• Strong copywriting and copy editing skills, including experience giving constructive feedback to other writers

• Experience with editorial planning and publishing content in a CMS (content management system)

• Solid understanding of SEO fundamentals: keyword optimization, content structure, user intent, and how content fits within broader SEO strategy

• Familiarity with SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or similar platforms (bonus!)

• Experience using web analytics tools to understand how users engage with content and to measure content performance

• High attention to detail with the ability to closely follow detailed written instructions and maintain quality standards

• Strong time management: Ability to self-manage capacity, meet project deadlines, and balance multiple priorities

• Experience in creating landing page assets

 

Cultural & Market Intelligence

• Deep understanding of local cultural and linguistic nuances that goes beyond language fluency—you know what resonates with audiences in your market

• Appreciation of local writing trends and content preferences, ensuring content feels native rather than translated

• Ability to identify opportunities specific to your market that may not be obvious from a global perspective

 

Collaboration & Communication

• Excellent communication skills: Clear, proactive, and transparent in both written and verbal communication

• Collaborative mindset: You build relationships easily, work well across teams, and contribute positively to team culture

• Willingness to give and receive feedback constructively, always aiming to improve quality and impact

 

Future-Oriented & Adaptable Mindset

• Curiosity about emerging channels: You're actively interested in how discovery is evolving—including AI search, LLMs, social search, and new platforms—and you're eager to learn

• Comfort with ambiguity: You can experiment with new approaches (like content formatting for AI-generated answers) even when best practices are still being established

• Channel-agnostic thinking: You understand that "SEO" increasingly means "discoverability"—whether through traditional search engines, AI tools, social platforms, or channels yet to emerge

• Data-driven adaptability: You can objectively assess what's working and adjust your approach based on performance and market signals

• Early adopter energy: You're the type of person who's already exploring how Canva appears in new discovery channels, bringing insights and ideas rather than waiting for direction

 

Bonuses

• Familiarity with YouTube SEO and video content discoverability, given YouTube's strong presence in the Japanese search landscape.

• Prior experience in SEO strategy development and planning is a plus!