How Airhelp Hired an SEO Director in 32 Days
Their internal team had struggled to find the right fit for this hybrid role.
Within just 32 days, we delivered a world-class hire who transformed their search strategy ahead of their busiest season.
Where Speed Meets Quality
Speed to Hire
From kickoff to offer, SEO for Hire delivered a world-class Director of SEO and ASO in just 32 days, ahead of AirHelp’s busiest travel season.
Collaboration
1 year later both hires moved from freelance to full-time and have both been promoted.
Role Hired For
SEO for Hire helped Airhelp secure a talented SEO Director to build their SEO team
AirHelp, the world’s leading flight compensation company, helps passengers claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. As their brand continued to expand across Europe and beyond, their visibility on search wasn’t keeping pace with their reputation.
Despite being the global leader in their category, AirHelp found themselves outperformed in local searches across key European markets, and facing fierce competition from both regional and emerging global players.
To regain their dominance, they needed a Director of SEO who could not only lead strategy but also get hands-on, bridging the gap between technical SEO, content, and ASO (App Store Optimization).
The challenge?
Finding one person with all three skill sets, willing to work hybrid in Barcelona.
“Best experience!
Clear process, quick communication, and great candidates who really matched our feedback. We closed a tough hire in just a month. Super grateful and excited to work together again!”
Agata Kruszka
Global Head of Talent Acquisition
What Challenges did Airhelp Face?
AirHelp’s Global Head of Talent Acquisition and Digital Marketing Director knew this hire was critical.
Their internal recruitment team had already attempted to fill the role but struggled to find a senior SEO leader who could:
- Drive local search visibility across 27 global markets
- Manage a hybrid SEO and ASO strategy, with a newly launched mobile app
- Fit a fast-paced, experimental culture built on ownership and rapid execution
- Operate hands-on while mentoring a small in-house team and eight freelancers
Timing was also a major factor. Summer is AirHelp’s busiest season, peak travel disruption means peak business activity. They needed the right hire on board fast to maximize performance during their highest-revenue period.
Our Strategic Hiring Solution
AirHelp discovered SEO for Hire organically through our own SEO presence, a fitting start for what became a highly successful partnership.
After an initial call with Agata, our CEO Josh Peacock led a full discovery session with Airhelp’s team to define the hiring profile.
Together, we mapped the role’s structure, responsibilities, and ideal candidate persona, combining AirHelp’s cultural DNA with our proprietary Golden Recruitment Formula to align expectations early.
Key steps in our process:
- Deep Diagnostic Intake:
We reviewed AirHelp’s existing SEO structure, team composition, and performance bottlenecks. Airhelp detailed the traffic challenges, localized SEO gaps, and the strategic importance of the ASO component. - Market Intelligence & Salary Benchmarking:
Our team validated salary expectations against similar director-level roles in Barcelona’s digital ecosystem to ensure competitive positioning. - Candidate Mapping:
Leveraging our proprietary CRM of over 52,000 SEOs worldwide, we identified senior leaders with hybrid SEO + ASO experience, particularly those who had scaled international brands in Europe. - Vetting & Behavioral Assessment:
Candidates were evaluated through a industry-backed vetting framework covering leadership, strategy, technical proficiency, and cultural adaptability. We also aligned our process with AirHelp’s internal systems, integrating into their ATS (Pinpoint) and psychometric tool (Criteria) to maintain seamless collaboration. - Transparent Collaboration:
Working closely with the Global Head of Talent Acquisition’s team, we operated as an embedded headhunting partner rather than an external agency. This alignment allowed for clear communication, fast feedback loops, and an efficient shortlist review process.
As our Head of Recruitment sums it up:
“AirHelp knew what great looked like, they just needed access to a network of senior SEOs who weren’t on the job boards.”
Daris Benallal
Head of Recruitment
Results Summary
The final hire combined strong European market SEO leadership with deep ASO expertise, exactly what AirHelp needed to boost visibility across both search engines and app stores.
Within just one month, AirHelp had secured a world-class Director of SEO who met all technical, cultural, and strategic requirements, just in time for their busiest operational season.
The Takeaway for Agency Founders
- Specialized Roles Demand Specialized Recruiters:
Hybrid skill sets like SEO + ASO require industry-specific headhunting knowledge. Generalist recruiters often miss the nuances that define A-players in niche roles. - Cultural Fit is as Critical as Skill Fit:
AirHelp’s success hinged on finding someone entrepreneurial and adaptable, traits that thrive in dynamic, data-driven cultures. - Speed Doesn’t Mean Sacrifice:
A clearly defined recruitment framework and tight feedback loops allow even complex roles to be filled quickly without compromising on quality. - Partnership Over Transaction:
By embedding within AirHelp’s internal talent process, SEO for Hire acted as an extension of their HR and marketing leadership team, ensuring alignment from first interview to final offer.
“When internal teams get stuck, our job isn’t just to fill a role, it’s to bring clarity, speed, and confidence back into the hiring process.”
Josh Peacock
Founder & CEO of SEO for Hire
In just 32 days, SEO for Hire delivered a Director of SEO for AirHelp, blending leadership, hands-on execution, and global experience.
Through transparent collaboration, deep industry understanding, and a refined vetting process, we helped AirHelp strengthen their organic visibility and internal leadership foundation right before their busiest season.
FAQs
How Does SEO For Hire Find the top 1% of SEO talent?
We’ve built the largest global network of SEOs, over 52,000 strong, curated through events, content funnels, and referrals. Our vetting process tests real-world skills, communication, and adaptability.
What Roles can SEO For Hire Help Fill?
We recruit across the SEO spectrum—from Junior SEOs to VP and even CEO, covering technical SEO, content strategy, and SEO product management.
How Fast can You Fill a Role?
95% of our roles are filled within 28 days. We often deliver pre-vetted candidates for urgent roles in under 10 days.
What Makes Your Candidates Stick Around?
We ensure long-term alignment on values, goals, and team fit—leading to a 30% boost in retention. All placements include a one-year satisfaction guarantee.
Do You Work with Startups or Large Enterprises?
Both. From nimble startup teams to global SEO operations, we tailor our approach to suit your scale and culture.
How to find SEO talent for legal industry?
SEO for Hire have experience in working with niches such as SEO agencies in the legal niche. We have a great pipeline of vetted talent that is consistently being nurtured and kept warm for new opportunities.