Marketing & Creative

Hire an SEO specialist

An SEO specialist improves a website’s visibility in search engines so the right customers find it without paid ads. The role combines technical site fixes, keyword research and content recommendations, and tracks rankings, traffic and leads.

  • Screened by a marketing and creative recruiter
  • Contract, contract-to-hire or full-time
  • A call back within one business day
SEO specialist at work in a modern office

Ways to hire

4options

contract, contract-to-hire, full-time and executive search

48 hrscontract shortlist

The role

What an SEO specialist does

Companies usually hire one when organic traffic has stalled, after a site migration or redesign, or when competitors consistently outrank them for valuable search terms.

Typical responsibilities

  • Research keywords and map them to site pages and content
  • Audit sites for technical problems affecting crawling and indexing
  • Optimize page titles, headings, internal links and structured data
  • Build and track backlink and content outreach efforts
  • Report on rankings, organic traffic and conversions

Core skills

  • Keyword research
  • Technical SEO
  • On-page optimization
  • Link building
  • Content optimization
  • Search analytics

Tools and systems

  • Google Search Console
  • Semrush
  • Ahrefs
  • Screaming Frog
  • Google Analytics

Related titles

  • Search Engine Optimization Specialist
  • SEO Analyst
  • Organic Search Specialist
  • SEO Manager

Typical background

Typically 2 to 5 years in SEO or digital marketing, with a bachelor's degree in marketing and strong analytics skills.

At a glance

SEO specialist hiring at a glance

The essentials for planning the hire: level, background, how you can hire and what the role typically pays.

Level
Mid level
Background
Typically 2 to 5 years in SEO or digital marketing, with a bachelor's degree in marketing and strong analytics skills.
Ways to hire
Contract, contract-to-hire, full-time
Pay
Varies by market and experience. Ask a recruiter or see our salary guide.
Timing
A contract shortlist in as little as 48 hours; full-time searches typically 2 to 6 weeks

Request talent

Hiring an SEO specialist?

Share a few details and a marketing and creative recruiter will be in touch. There is no obligation and no cost to talk.

What happens next

  1. 1
    A specialist recruiter calls youWithin one business day, to understand the role.
  2. 2
    We agree the planTimeline, budget and how you want to hire, in writing.
  3. 3
    You meet the shortlistOnly screened people who fit the brief.

Request talent

Request an SEO specialist

Takes about two minutes. A specialist recruiter will call you back within one business day.

Marketing & Creative professional at work
$0cost to job seekers, always
For job seekers

Looking for SEO specialist jobs?

Send your resume once and a marketing and creative recruiter will match you to SEO specialist roles that fit your experience, pay expectations and the way you want to work. We only put you forward for roles you have said yes to, and it is always free.

  • Roles that are never advertised
  • Honest feedback and interview preparation
  • Confidential: never shared without your permission

FAQ

SEO specialist hiring, answered

Straight answers to the questions employers and candidates ask about this role.

Still have a question?

Talk to a recruiter about your role or your search. We reply within one business day.

An SEO specialist improves a website’s visibility in search engines so the right customers find it without paid ads. The role combines technical site fixes, keyword research and content recommendations, and tracks rankings, traffic and leads. Typical responsibilities include: research keywords and map them to site pages and content; audit sites for technical problems affecting crawling and indexing; optimize page titles, headings, internal links and structured data.

Look for keyword research, technical SEO, on-page optimization, link building, content optimization and search analytics. Experience with Google Search Console, Semrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog and Google Analytics is common in this role.

Yes. An SEO specialist is one of the roles employers most often hire on contract, for projects, busy periods, leave cover and vacancies. Contract-to-hire is also an option if you want to work together before making a permanent offer.

An agency gives you a team with several skills and works well for audits, migrations and short projects. An in-house specialist builds deep knowledge of your site and works closely with content and development teams. Companies with steady SEO needs often hire a specialist and add an agency for specialized work.

Not necessarily, but they should be able to brief writers, review content and discuss technical changes with developers. Basic HTML knowledge helps. Some roles lean toward content strategy, others toward technical SEO, so define which side matters more before you begin interviewing.