SEO Specialist

🚀 Job Overview

As an SEO Specialist at HousingAnywhere Group, you will be responsible for developing and implementing SEO strategies primarily for the Studapart brand within the company's portfolio. You will work within the Marketing department to drive organic growth, conduct technical SEO audits, and collaborate with various teams to ensure SEO best practices are implemented across the platform. Your role will be crucial in expanding market presence through organic search visibility while serving as the company's internal SEO expert.

ASSUMPTION: Based on the emphasis on the Studapart brand, we assume this role will primarily focus on this brand while potentially supporting other brands in the HousingAnywhere Group portfolio as needed.

📋 Key Responsibilities

• ✅ Develop and implement SEO strategies primarily for the Studapart brand (both on-page and off-page)
• ✅ Conduct regular technical SEO audits and develop recommendations for improvements
• ✅ Monitor and report on organic performance across various regions
• ✅ Identify opportunities for market expansion through SEO
• ✅ Collaborate with product managers and software engineers on technical SEO implementations
• ✅ Work with content marketers on topic, keyword, and competitor research
• ✅ Manage and improve the SEO toolstack, enhancing data visualization and insights
• ✅ Drive domain and page authority through strategic partnerships
• ✅ Serve as an internal ambassador for SEO knowledge
• ✅ Stay current with SEO trends and best practices, sharing insights across the organization

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified

Experience: 3+ years of proven experience in developing and implementing successful SEO strategies (experience in a fast-paced scale-up environment is preferred)

Skills:

• Fluency in French
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Deep understanding of technical and non-technical SEO
• Proficiency with industry tools (OnCrawl, SEO Monitor, Ahrefs or comparable software)
• Strong analytical and data-driven approach
• Comfort with advanced data reports
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a team

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Not specified

Benefits:

• Unlimited paid holidays (minimum-based, not maximum)
• Hybrid working policy (2 days in office)
• Flexibility to work remotely for up to 2 months per year
• 1,000 EUR personal development budget
• Complete coverage for commuting
• Personal equipment (laptop and ergonomic setup)
• Gym membership discount with GoVital or OneFit
• Dutch/English classes budget
• Variable pension scheme
• Pet-friendly office in Rotterdam city center
• Team-building events and Friday after-work drinks

Industry Comparison: The benefits package is comprehensive and above average for the European tech industry, with the unlimited paid holidays and remote work flexibility being particularly attractive benefits. The personal development budget and language training further enhance the overall compensation package.

ASSUMPTION: The compensation package appears to be competitive within the European rental platform industry, particularly for a scale-up company. The lack of specified salary is common in European job postings.

🔍 Company Context

Industry Position: HousingAnywhere Group is Europe's largest mid-term rental platform, operating in over 125 cities across Europe and several in the US. The company includes three brands: HousingAnywhere, Studapart, and Kamernet.

Company Size: 250 professionals

Company Stage: Growth/Scale-up

ASSUMPTION: Based on the description as Europe's largest mid-term rental platform with a team of 250 professionals across multiple brands, HousingAnywhere appears to be in a growth/scale-up phase with established market presence.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid to Senior level

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Marketing Manager or Director

Team Size/Composition: Part of the Marketing department which includes multiple specialized teams

Growth Opportunities: Potential paths include advancement to SEO Manager, Director of Organic Growth, or broader digital marketing leadership roles

ASSUMPTION: The career level is inferred from the required 3+ years of experience and the strategic nature of the responsibilities. The reporting structure is assumed based on typical organizational structures in similar companies, though not explicitly stated in the listing.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (2 days in office, flexibility to work remotely for up to 2 months per year)

Geographic Context: Rotterdam is the Netherlands' second-largest city and a major European business hub with a lower cost of living compared to Amsterdam. It has excellent international connectivity and a growing tech ecosystem.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time schedule with flexible work arrangements

Regional Considerations: The Netherlands offers a high quality of life, excellent public transportation, and an English-friendly work environment. Rotterdam specifically is known for its modern architecture, international atmosphere, and cultural diversity.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment appears to be typical of European tech companies with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and flexibility. The specific office culture is assumed to be international (with 46+ nationalities mentioned) and casual based on benefits like pet-friendly offices and after-work drinks.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process: For SEO specialist roles at international companies like HousingAnywhere, the interview process typically involves:

1. Initial resume/CV screening
2. Phone or video screening interview
3. Technical SEO assessment or case study
4. Panel interview with the marketing team and stakeholders
5. Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Technical SEO knowledge
• Language skills (French and English)
• Analytical capabilities
• Strategic thinking
• Collaboration abilities
• Experience with SEO tools
• Cultural fit with an international team

Application Tips:

• Highlight measurable SEO results from previous roles
• Demonstrate experience with mentioned SEO tools
• Showcase French language proficiency
• Emphasize experience with technical SEO audits and implementations
• Show examples of successful collaboration with content and technical teams

ATS Keywords: SEO specialist, technical SEO, OnCrawl, SEO Monitor, Ahrefs, French language, content marketing, keyword research, SEO strategy, domain authority, page authority, technical audit, data analytics, international SEO

ASSUMPTION: These insights are based on standard interview practices for SEO positions in international tech companies and may vary based on the company's specific hiring processes.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• OnCrawl (SEO crawling and log analysis)
• SEO Monitor (rank tracking and forecasting)
• Ahrefs (competitive analysis and backlink research)
• Data visualization tools (likely Tableau, Google Data Studio, or similar)
• Google Analytics or equivalent analytics platforms
• Google Search Console

ASSUMPTION: While only OnCrawl, SEO Monitor, and Ahrefs are explicitly mentioned, standard SEO roles typically require familiarity with Google Analytics and Google Search Console. The mention of data visualization suggests additional analytics tools would be used.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Ownership
• We are Enablers
• We are Changemakers
• We are Connectors

Work Style: Collaborative, independent, data-driven, and fast-paced. The company appears to value both autonomous work and team collaboration. The mention of "rapid experimentation" suggests a test-and-learn culture.

Self-Assessment: Consider if you:

• Thrive in an international, multicultural environment
• Are comfortable taking initiative and ownership of projects
• Enjoy data-driven decision making
• Can balance independent work with collaborative efforts
• Value flexibility and work-life balance
• Are passionate about continuous learning and development

ASSUMPTION: The work style is inferred from phrases like "rapid experimentation" and requirements for both independent work and team collaboration. The multicultural aspect is directly stated (46+ nationalities).

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing SEO across multiple brands (with focus on Studapart) may require context-switching and balancing priorities
• Communicating technical SEO concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Coordinating implementation with product and engineering teams who may have competing priorities
• The required French language skills may limit some candidates
• Staying current with rapidly evolving SEO best practices while delivering results
• Working within a hybrid model requires effective remote collaboration skills

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inferred from the job description's emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, technical implementation dependencies, and the need to communicate SEO insights to stakeholders.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

This SEO Specialist role differs from similar positions in these ways:

• SEO Manager: This role has less people management responsibility than an SEO Manager but includes strategic elements typically seen in more senior positions
• Digital Marketing Specialist: More specialized in SEO compared to broader digital marketing roles that might include paid media, email, etc.
• Content SEO Specialist: Has a stronger technical component while still collaborating with content teams
• Technical SEO Analyst: Includes both technical elements and broader strategic responsibilities
• Growth Marketer: More specialized in organic acquisition compared to growth roles that might focus on multiple channels

ASSUMPTION: This comparison is based on standard industry role definitions and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description.

📝 Sample Projects

• Conducting a comprehensive technical SEO audit for the Studapart website and prioritizing improvements based on potential impact
• Developing a structured keyword strategy for expanding into new geographic markets
• Creating a dashboard that visualizes organic performance across regions for stakeholder presentations
• Designing and implementing a link-building campaign through strategic partnerships
• Collaborating with content teams to develop SEO-optimized content addressing key user questions in the rental market
• Analyzing competitors' SEO strategies to identify opportunities and gaps

ASSUMPTION: These projects are illustrative examples based on the responsibilities outlined in the job description and typical SEO activities for rental platforms.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

1. "How do you measure SEO success at HousingAnywhere Group, and what are the current key performance indicators for the Studapart brand?"
2. "What are the biggest SEO challenges the Studapart brand is currently facing?"
3. "How does the SEO strategy integrate with the broader marketing and business objectives?"
4. "What is the process for implementing technical SEO recommendations, and how is prioritization determined between SEO and other product initiatives?"
5. "What markets are priorities for expansion through SEO in the coming year?"
6. "How does the marketing team collaborate across the three brands within the HousingAnywhere Group?"

ASSUMPTION: These questions are formulated based on the responsibilities in the job description and common considerations for SEO roles. They may need adaptation based on the specific interview context and prior discussions.