Available to hire
Hi, I’m Hans van Gent. I help brands grow smarter by turning search behavior into structured growth systems. My approach combines SEO, paid performance, and conversion insights to create growth engines that drive revenue efficiently and with less waste.
I’ve worked both inside big agencies and as a freelancer, building tools to automate marketing tasks and focusing on high-ROI strategies. I’m all about cutting through complexity and creating clear, scalable marketing systems that last over time.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
Dutch
Fluent
English
Fluent
French
Intermediate
German
Advanced
Work Experience
SEO Expert at GroupM
August 31, 2025 - July 24, 2025Worked as a senior SEO strategist and technical consultant embedded in the global SEO team. Led SEO strategy for enterprise-level clients focusing on technical and content-driven SEO. Spearheaded AI and automation R&D initiatives, developed internal tooling to automate SEO tasks, and advised teams on future-proofing visibility in AI-dominated search environments. Collaborated across paid, data, and creative teams for integrated marketing strategies, mentored colleagues, and presented thought leadership on the future of SEO and AI integration.
Head of Organic Growth at Sherlock SEO
January 31, 2023 - July 24, 2025Responsible for organic growth through SEO and content strategies including audits, content planning, copywriting, and local SEO optimization. Managed international SEO projects involving translation and optimization across multiple languages. Successfully delivered large international client projects with teams of freelance copywriters.
Customer Journey Manager at KBC
June 30, 2021 - July 24, 2025Supported customer journey managers using tools like Adobe Analytics, ContentSquare, and QlikSense to analyze and optimize customer and prospect journeys across insurance product websites. Advised the internal SEO team on website optimizations and problem fixes.
Marketing Strategist at Cartoonbase
December 31, 2020 - July 24, 2025Grew online presence and lead generation through organic traffic by auditing online channels, setting up tracking with Google Tag Manager, creating dashboards for progress measurement, conducting keyword research, content optimization, creating landing pages, restructuring the website, and executing cold outreach strategies.
Founder & Chief Strategist at User Growth (Freelance Agency)
April 1, 2019 - PresentFounded a freelance agency to share expertise in organic and paid strategic growth. Worked with a range of agencies and clients on SEO, content strategies, and paid growth campaigns.
Head of Growth at Accountable
June 30, 2019 - July 24, 2025Brought an entrepreneurial approach during the company’s startup phase. Set up initial funnels, reporting processes, and overall growth paths.
Head of Digital at The Oval Office
September 30, 2018 - July 24, 2025Managed the digital department and served as digital strategist for clients including BMW, Apple, BNP Paribas Fortis, Google, and others. Achieved multiple awards for content marketing and brand experiences, including a celebrated campaign for ABVV-Metaal and branded podcast recognition.
Client Service Director / Head of Digital at Havas
May 31, 2017 - July 24, 2025Led the digital department and managed digital business for Havas Belgium. Worked as Client Service Director, liaising closely with clients to meet digital marketing needs. Supported creative teams as a Creative Technologist. Clients included PSA Group, Ferrero, Luminus, ERA Real Estate, and ING. Won awards for influencer marketing campaigns and activation projects.
Senior Account Manager at DigitasLBi
July 31, 2015 - July 24, 2025Managed various clients such as Gamma and Versele Laga. Led the pitch for Hoegaarden resulting in a major account win. Played a key role in securing the Thalys brand.
Head of Digital at Ogilvy & Mather
February 28, 2014 - July 24, 2025Led the digital team at Ogilvy & Mather Brussels. Worked across sectors including FMCG brands of Nestlé, non-profits such as Amnesty International and WWF, and constitutional institutions like the European Parliament. Managed clients including LeasePlan and Tourism Flanders.
Project Manager & Innovations Manager at Emakina NL
December 31, 2012 - July 24, 2025Drove innovation initiatives and managed projects primarily for Unilever accounts.
SEO Expert at GroupM
August 31, 2025 - July 24, 2025Worked as a senior SEO strategist and technical consultant embedded in the global SEO team. Focused on driving client growth through technical and content-driven SEO, and shaping future SEO offerings through AI and automation. Led SEO strategies for enterprise clients, spearheaded AI R&D initiatives, developed tooling to automate SEO tasks, advised on future-proofing SEO in AI-dominated landscapes, collaborated across multiple teams, mentored colleagues, and presented thought leadership sessions.
Head of Organic Growth at Sherlock SEO
January 31, 2023 - July 24, 2025Managed organic growth involving SEO audits, content strategies, content briefing and creation, local SEO optimizations, and international SEO projects including multilingual SEO optimization and translations.
Customer Journey Manager at KBC
June 30, 2020 - July 24, 2025Supported customer journey managers by analyzing data with tools like Adobe Analytics, ContentSquare, and Qliksense to optimize insurance product customer journeys. Advised internal SEO team on website optimizations and problem-solving.
Marketing Strategist at Cartoonbase
December 31, 2020 - July 24, 2025Conducted audits and implemented online growth strategies, including Google Tag Manager tracking plans, dashboard creation, keyword research, content optimization, website restructuring, landing page creation, and cold outreach strategy execution to grow organic traffic and leads.
Founder & Chief Strategist at User Growth
April 1, 2019 - PresentFreelance agency founder working with various agencies and clients on organic and paid growth strategies, focusing on SEO, content, and paid campaigns to help growth.
Head of Growth at Accountable
June 30, 2019 - July 24, 2025Brought an entrepreneurial approach during the company launch. Set up funnels, reporting processes, and overall growth setup during critical early months.
Head of Digital at The Oval Office
September 30, 2018 - July 24, 2025Led digital department and strategized digital marketing for clients including BMW, Apple, BNP Paribas Fortis, Google, and others. Received awards including Best Of Content Award and honorable mention for branded podcast.
Client Service Director / Head of Digital at Havas
May 31, 2017 - July 24, 2025Managed the digital department and business, worked as Client Service Director ensuring client needs, and supported creative teams as Creative Technologist. Clients included PSA Group, Ferrero, ING, and others. Earned awards for influencer marketing and activation campaigns.
Senior Account Manager at DigitasLBi
July 31, 2015 - July 24, 2025Managed client accounts including Gamma and Versele Laga. Led pitch efforts securing major new clients including Hoegaarden and Thalys.
Head of Digital at Ogilvy & Mather
February 28, 2014 - July 24, 2025Led digital team working for brands in FMCG, non-profits, constitutional institutions, and tourism. Clients included Nestlé brands, Amnesty International, European Parliament, and others.
Project Manager & Innovations Manager at Emakina NL
December 31, 2012 - July 24, 2025Drove innovation within Emakina.NL and managed various Unilever projects.
Education
Bachelor at Hogeschool Rotterdam
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2004Master at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004Bachelor at Hogeschool Rotterdam
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2004Master at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004Qualifications
Industry Experience
Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Financial Services, Government, Consumer Goods, Non-Profit Organization
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Hire a SEO Expert
We have the best seo expert experts on Twine. Hire a seo expert in Bruxelles today.