SEO Lead / SEO Strategist (US-based, freelance/independent contractor - Birmingham, UK)

SEO Lead / SEO Strategist (US-based, freelance/independent contractor - Birmingham, UK)

Birmingham Freelance 30 - 40 £ / hour (est.) No working from home possible
Cozymeal, Inc.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive organic growth through strategic SEO analysis and implementation.
  • Company: Join a leading culinary experience platform with a global reach.
  • Benefits: Flexible freelance role, remote work, and competitive pay based on experience.
  • Other info: Collaborate directly with leadership in a dynamic, async-friendly environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the culinary world while working from anywhere.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years of SEO expertise, especially in marketplace or local SEO.

The predicted salary is between 30 - 40 £ per hour.

Discover and book unforgettable culinary experiences: hands-on cooking classes, private-chef meals, guided food tours, wine tastings and team-building events in 400+ cities worldwide. We turn moments into delicious memories – effortlessly. In addition to providing customers access to world-class culinary experiences, products and content, we also provide a great source of income to our partners that includes chefs, sommeliers, guides and mixologists.

About the Role: We’re looking for a Senior SEO Expert to help drive organic growth across our marketplace. This is a freelance, remote role working directly with senior leadership and collaborating closely with our engineering and content teams. As our Freelance SEO Lead, you will own the strategy and execution roadmap to improve organic visibility across key page types and high-intent keyword categories. You’ll conduct SERP and competitor analysis, identify the highest-impact opportunities, and translate your recommendations into clear, actionable tasks for our internal teams. This is a hands-on strategic role.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Analyze competitive Google SERPs for our core keyword categories and major markets
  • Identify ranking opportunities, intent shifts, and SERP feature impacts
  • Develop a prioritized SEO roadmap across city and category pages, experience pages, editorial content and guides, internal linking and content architecture
  • Provide recommendations for scalable page structures and content modules across hundreds of cities
  • Conduct technical SEO reviews focused on index quality, duplication risk, canonicalization, pagination, and crawl efficiency
  • Recommend improvements to structured data and location relevance signals where appropriate
  • Collaborate with engineering, design, and content teams to support implementation
  • Track performance and iterate based on results

What We’re Looking For:

Required:

  • 7+ years of SEO experience (or equivalent senior expertise)
  • Proven experience with marketplace SEO, directory SEO, or large multi-location sites
  • Strong understanding of local-intent SEO and modern SERP behavior
  • Ability to diagnose competitive ranking performance beyond basic technical audits
  • Strong written communication skills and ability to create clear deliverables and specs
  • Comfortable working with Search Console, GA4, and SEO tools (SEMrush/Ahrefs, Screaming Frog/Sitebulb)

Preferred:

  • Experience in travel, experiences, events, marketplaces, or similar industries
  • Experience building scalable SEO frameworks across large sets of city pages
  • Strong content strategy instincts (editorial + local pages)
  • Familiarity with schema strategy for experiences and local relevance

Deliverables You’ll Own:

  • SERP and competitor analysis for priority keyword clusters
  • A prioritized SEO roadmap (quick wins + medium-term + longer-term)
  • Recommendations for page template improvements and scalable content modules
  • Technical SEO findings focused on index quality and crawl efficiency
  • Clear, actionable implementation specs for engineering and content teams
  • Ongoing reporting and performance updates

How We Work:

  • Remote, async-friendly communication
  • Direct collaboration with leadership and internal teams
  • Clear expectations, measurable goals, and iterative execution

Hours: 10–20 hours/week to start (potential to expand)

Location: Birmingham, UK or anywhere in the world. This is a fully remote role and qualified candidates worldwide may apply.

Compensation: This is a paid freelance role. Compensation will be based on experience, hourly rate, and scope.

Equal Opportunity: Cozymeal is an equal opportunity company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Independent Contractor Notice: This role is offered as an independent contractor position. Contractors are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and benefits. Nothing in this posting is intended to create an employment relationship.

SEO Lead / SEO Strategist (US-based, freelance/independent contractor - Birmingham, UK) employer: Cozymeal, Inc.

Cozymeal is an exceptional employer that values creativity and collaboration, offering freelance SEO Leads the opportunity to work remotely while driving organic growth in a dynamic culinary marketplace. With a culture focused on supporting both customers and culinary partners, employees can expect clear communication, measurable goals, and the chance to make a significant impact in a thriving industry. The flexible working hours and the ability to collaborate directly with senior leadership further enhance the appeal of this role for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Cozymeal, Inc.

Contact Details:

Cozymeal, Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land SEO Lead / SEO Strategist (US-based, freelance/independent contractor - Birmingham, UK)

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary and SEO world. Attend virtual events or webinars where you can meet potential collaborators or clients. Remember, it’s all about who you know!

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best SEO projects, especially those related to marketplaces or local SEO. Use real data to showcase your impact – numbers speak louder than words!

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out directly to the hiring team through LinkedIn or email. Share your thoughts on their current SEO strategy and how you can help improve it.

Tip Number 4

Keep learning and adapting! The SEO landscape is always changing, so stay updated with the latest trends and tools. Join forums or groups where you can exchange ideas and strategies with other SEO enthusiasts.

We think you need these skills to ace SEO Lead / SEO Strategist (US-based, freelance/independent contractor - Birmingham, UK)

SEO Strategy
Keyword Research
SERP Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Technical SEO
Local-Intent SEO
Content Strategy

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your SEO Skills:When you’re writing your application, make sure to highlight your SEO experience. We want to see how you've tackled challenges in the past and what strategies you've used to drive organic growth. Be specific about your achievements!

Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Mention how your skills align with our needs, especially around marketplace SEO and local intent.

Keep It Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to break down your experience and skills, so we can quickly see why you’d be a great fit.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cozymeal, Inc.

Know Your SEO Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your SEO knowledge, especially around marketplace and local-intent SEO. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in the past and how they drove measurable results.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience with SERP analysis and competitor research. Bring examples of how you've identified ranking opportunities and translated them into actionable tasks for teams.

Communicate Clearly

Since this role involves collaboration with various teams, practice articulating your ideas clearly. Prepare to explain complex SEO concepts in a way that’s easy for non-SEO folks to understand.

Be Ready for Technical Questions

Expect questions about technical SEO aspects like index quality and crawl efficiency. Familiarise yourself with tools like Search Console and GA4, and be prepared to discuss how you've used them in previous roles.