Marketing Executive Search

Marketing has become one of the most commercially influential functions within modern organisations.

The search for exceptional marketing leadership is increasingly global, with organisations competing across industries for executives who can deliver measurable growth and competitive advantage. Today’s marketing leaders must be equipped to respond to changing customer behaviour, digital transformation, AI, fragmented audiences and growing pressure to demonstrate commercial return, while navigating increasingly competitive and mature markets.

Whether you’re entering new markets, repositioning your brand or accelerating growth, the quality of your marketing leadership can have a lasting impact on business performance.

Novo Executive Search understands the evolving demands placed on today’s marketing executives. Our consultants have extensive experience identifying senior marketing leaders who combine strategic vision with commercial delivery, helping organisations secure the leadership needed to achieve long-term growth.

We recruit across the full spectrum of senior marketing disciplines, including advertising, consumer research, corporate communications, direct marketing, brand, digital marketing and customer experience.

Explore our case studies to see how we’ve helped organisations appoint exceptional marketing leaders across a range of sectors.

To discuss your marketing leadership requirements please contact:

Dale Perrett: email or George Woodward: email

Leadership Challenges Across Marketing

Marketing has never been more accountable.

Today’s leaders are expected to generate demand, improve customer acquisition, strengthen retention and build brand value while demonstrating clear commercial impact.

They must also respond to changing technology, increasing use of AI, evolving customer expectations and growing competition across every sector.

The strongest marketing executives understand that successful marketing extends beyond campaigns. They align customer insight, commercial objectives and organisational strategy to create sustainable growth.

Through targeted executive search and established market relationships, we help organisations access experienced marketing leaders who can make an immediate impact.

Discover how we help marketing, digital and communications organisations appoint exceptional leadership talent.

Book a confidential discussion with one of our Executive Search Directors

Book a call

Case Studies

When Companies Appoint Marketing Leadership

Businesses typically strengthen their marketing leadership during periods of change or opportunity.

Common situations include:

  • Business growth
  • International expansion
  • Brand repositioning
  • Product launches
  • Digital transformation
  • Customer acquisition challenges
  • Private equity investment
  • Commercial restructuring
  • Succession planning
  • Replacing underperforming leadership

Many appointments involve replacing an existing executive where performance no longer aligns with business objectives. These assignments require sensitivity, discretion and careful stakeholder management. Learn more about our Replacing an Underperforming Executive service.

Interim marketing leaders can also provide valuable expertise during transformation programmes, leadership transitions or maternity cover.

What Happens if the Wrong Hire is Made?

Marketing leadership influences far more than brand awareness.
The wrong appointment can affect revenue growth, customer acquisition, product launches, internal alignment and commercial performance.

Organisations may experience declining lead quality, inconsistent messaging, poor customer engagement or ineffective use of marketing investment.

Selecting a leader who understands your sector, customers and commercial objectives reduces risk and accelerates results.

Marketing Executive Search Expertise

Novo supports organisations across a broad range of marketing disciplines.

We recruit senior leaders responsible for brand strategy, customer acquisition, commercial growth, digital transformation and communications across B2B and B2C markets.

Our experience includes leadership appointments within:

Brand & Marketing: Building marketing functions that support commercial growth, customer engagement and long-term brand value.

Digital Marketing: Appointing leaders responsible for digital strategy, performance marketing, CRM, marketing automation and customer acquisition.

Product Marketing: Supporting organisations launching new products, entering new markets and strengthening competitive positioning.

Communications & Corporate Affairs: Recruiting executives responsible for internal communications, external affairs, reputation management and stakeholder engagement.

Customer Experience: Identifying leaders who improve customer journeys, retention and lifetime value through integrated marketing strategies.

Our executive search assignments span international corporates, private equity-backed businesses, scale-ups and public sector organisations.

Our Approach to Marketing Executive Search

Every organisation has different commercial priorities, customer challenges and leadership requirements.

Our confidential executive search process is designed to identify leaders capable of supporting your strategic objectives while complementing your existing leadership team.

Many assignments are conducted on a confidential basis, allowing organisations to engage the market discreetly during leadership transitions. Learn more about our Confidential Executive Searches.

Discovery: We build a detailed understanding of your business, strategy, culture and leadership requirements.

Talent Search: We identify and engage exceptional marketing leaders through targeted market research and extensive industry relationships.

Assessment: Candidates are evaluated on commercial capability, leadership style, customer focus, strategic thinking and cultural fit.

Appointment: We support interviews, offer negotiation, stakeholder management and onboarding to ensure a successful transition.

Why Choose Novo for Marketing Executive Search?

Marketing leadership appointments shape business performance for years to come.

Experience: More than two decades supporting organisations with critical senior appointments.

Global Reach: Access to marketing leaders across the UK, Europe, North America and international markets.

Executive Search Specialists: Retained executive search designed to identify exceptional leadership talent rather than active job seekers.

Trusted Advisors: A consultative approach built on market intelligence, discretion and long-term client partnerships.

Testimonials

“My personal experience with Novo was really good. They had all the information I needed whilst being professional, discreet and considerate, which ultimately made the whole process extremely smooth.” Account Director, Catalina Marketing

Catalina Marketing

Thanks again for a super service.

World Sailing

Novo were recently retained to recruit an HR Director for Jaywing The targeted search assignment engaged with a very strong shortlist of candidates based in the North and East Midlands resulting in the successful appointment.

Jaywing

Novo delivered exactly what we needed at a moment of real pressure. The interim operations director brought calm, clarity and genuine support to our teams. Confidence returned quickly and the airport regained its rhythm far sooner than we expected.

Interim Operations Director, International Airport

Novo’s Legal Team were retained to recruit a Partner. Through a targeted and comprehensive headhunting assignment process Novo were successful in appointing an excellent Partner for the practice.

Bray & Bray Solicitors

 

Thank you very much for your involvement in identifying our new Product Development Director and managing a very smooth process. This was a significant recruitment process for our business, and I am very pleased with how it has gone from start to finish.

Animalcare

A Global Network for Marketing Leadership

Exceptional marketing talent is increasingly international.

Our global executive search capability allows clients to access experienced marketing leaders with expertise across multiple markets, sectors and customer environments.

Whether you’re appointing leadership in the UK or internationally, we help you secure executives capable of delivering commercial growth.
Access International Marketing Talent

Access International Marketing Leadership Talent

Discover how we can help you appoint exceptional marketing leadership talent for your business

Book a confidential call with one of our executive search Directors

Book a call

Insights

Find Your Next Marketing Leader

Marketing leadership shapes how organisations grow, compete and build lasting customer relationships.

Whether you’re strengthening your leadership team, replacing an underperforming executive or preparing for your next phase of growth, we help you appoint leaders with the commercial judgement and strategic capability to deliver measurable results.

Discuss Your Marketing Leadership Requirement

UK Marketing Manager
Salary: excellent package

Our client is an international leading brand in the golf industry, renowned for innovative premium products and high-quality golf accessories. The company is committed to enhancing the golfing experience for players worldwide through cutting-edge technology products and exceptional customer service.…

  • Marketing
  • Consumer Products and FMCG Marketing
  • homeworking
Job Ref No: UKMM/DP 01/25
Date Added: 14-01-2025
This job has now been successfully concluded.
Commercial Director
Salary: Exceptional

Our client is an international B2B creative and brand management company. With a unique global profile and a long track record of success, the company is well recognised as a market-leading, world-class business.…

  • Board Director/Partner
  • Marketing
  • West Midlands Region
Job Ref No: CD/DP 07/24
Date Added: 03-07-2024
This job has now been successfully concluded.
Marketing Director
Salary: excellent package

Our client is a well-established, successful national group, specialising in complex and invasive medical treatment in primary healthcare. …

  • Board Director/Partner Marketing
  • Marketing
  • Homeworking
Job Ref No: MkgDir DP 12/22
Date Added: 21-12-2022
This job has now been successfully concluded.
Operations Director (Yorkshire, B2B Services)
Salary: Competitive Base Salary + Benefits (Flex)

Our Client Our client is an award winning, data science led, performance marketing agency and consulting business. The business helps FTSE 250 companies and other corporate clients find smart solutions to deliver profitable growth and build brand value. The company uses its unique expertise…

  • Marketing Non-Executive Director Operations
  • Marketing
  • Leeds, West Yorkshire (GB)
Job Ref No: GWODMarketing 05/21
Date Added: 05-05-2021
This job has now been successfully concluded.
HR Director (‘SME’ / mid size marketing company)
Salary: £100,000 Base Salary + Bonus + Benefits

Our Client Our client is an award winning, data science led, performance marketing agency and consulting business. The business helps FTSE 250 companies and other corporate clients find smart solutions to deliver profitable growth and build brand value. The company uses its unique expertise…

  • Board Director/Partner
  • Marketing
  • Yorkshire
Job Ref No: GWHRD 09/20
Date Added: 16-09-2020
This job has now been successfully concluded.