CGO

Intelligent People is a London, UK based executive recruitment agency specialising in Digital Marketing. 

Continue reading this guide if you’re looking for role at this level. We can help with information such as what is expected of you in the role, what a good salary looks like and more. 

If you’re an employer looking for the best marketing candidates to match your brief, speak to us about your hiring needs by using the button below.

Other C-suite level roles we recruit for

The Role of the Chief Growth Officer

A Chief Growth Officer (CGO) is a senior executive responsible for driving a company’s growth strategy, overseeing customer acquisition, revenue generation and market expansion. As the bridge between marketing, sales and customer experience, CGOs play a pivotal role in ensuring sustainable business growth.

Whether it’s expanding into new markets, optimising digital strategies, or increasing customer retention, CGOs ensure that all growth-related initiatives align with the company’s overall objectives.

 

Main objectives

Objectives can vary depending on the company and its specific goals. However, here are nine common objectives:

Strategic growth planning

Develop and execute long-term growth strategies aligned with the organisation’s vision. Identify new revenue streams and market opportunities. Evaluate risks and opportunities in existing and potential markets.

Customer-Centric Approach

Enhance customer experience and satisfaction to drive retention and loyalty. Analyse customer feedback and market trends to inform decision-making. Foster innovation to meet evolving customer needs.

Revenue growth

Set and achieve ambitious revenue targets. Optimise pricing models, sales strategies and marketing campaigns to maximise income. Expand and diversify the organisation’s revenue base.

Market Expansion

Identify and penetrate new geographical or demographic markets. Build strategic partnerships or alliances to extend market reach. Leverage digital platforms to grow online presence and accessibility.

Innovation and Product Development

Oversee the development and launch of new products or services. Collaborate with teams to ensure offerings meet market demands and deliver value. Encourage a culture of innovation across departments.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Use analytics to track performance and measure the effectiveness of growth initiatives. Monitor KPIs related to customer acquisition, retention, and market share. Implement insights from data to adjust strategies in real time.

Collaboration Across Functions

Work closely with other C-suite executives (e.g., CEO, CFO, CTO) to align goals and resources. Bridge gaps between marketing, sales and product teams to create synergy. Promote an organisational culture that values cross-departmental collaboration.

Sustainability and Ethical Growth

Ensure growth strategies align with UK laws and regulations. Incorporate sustainability goals and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into growth plans. Maintain ethical practices, particularly in consumer and environmental engagement.

Talent Development and Leadership

Attract, retain and develop top talent to support growth objectives. Lead by example, inspiring teams to embrace the growth vision. Create succession plans and ensure the organisation is equipped for future challenges. 

Hiring in 2025?

Discovering the ideal timing to hire can be a challenging task. This guide provides insights into the role, the optimal period to bring one on board depending on your business strategy and expansion plans, as well as the necessary resources you may require in preparing for the recruitment process.

These resources may include an executive search firm, a set of interview questions, and assessment ideas to aid in the selection process.

Expected salary

In today’s market, a salary for this role would reach a range of £100,000 – £150,000 per year for mid-sized organisations, increasing to £150,000 – £250,000 for large corporations or organisations in high-growth industries such as tech or finance.

There are some factors which may determine the level of salary including:

  • The ambitions of the company. Do they have stretching objectives to meet and therefore they need a strong candidate to join?
  • The size of company. What funding do they have to secure the best candidate?
  • The location of the HQ. Most candidates see a higher salary when commuting to a main city like London or Manchester.

Read our guide:
Digital Marketing salary 2024

Chief Growth Officer job description

Company overview:
We are a rapidly growing tech company at the forefront of innovation in [industry/sector]. Our cutting-edge solutions have gained significant traction in the market, and we are scaling our operations to capitalise on our success. As we continue to expand, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced marketing leader to join our executive team and drive our marketing efforts to new heights.

Role overview:

Reporting to the CEO, you will be responsible for creating and implementing a growth-focused business strategy, monitoring and optimising customer acquisition channels. It is expected that you will collaborate with teams across marketing, sales and product development. You will set and achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) for growth initiatives and stay updated on market trends and competitor strategies in order to drive brand awareness, customer acquisition and revenue growth.  This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic leader with a proven track record to make a significant impact on our growth trajectory.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute growth strategies in collaboration with the leadership team. Oversee market analysis to identify trends, opportunities and competitive threats. Set measurable goals and benchmarks to track growth performance.

Revenue Optimisation: Enhance existing revenue channels and identify new income streams. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess growth initiatives. Collaborate with the finance team to ensure budgets align with growth objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, sales, product development and operations to ensure cohesive growth strategies. Drive alignment across departments to maximise efficiency and innovation. Build a culture of growth and continuous improvement within the organisation.

Business Development: Establish strategic partnerships to expand the organisation’s market presence. Explore and evaluate mergers, acquisitions or joint ventures as part of growth plans.

Customer and Market Focus: Ensure customer-centric strategies that enhance satisfaction and retention. Identify emerging customer needs and work with teams to meet them effectively.

Team Leadership: Lead, inspire and develop teams to meet growth objectives. Act as a mentor and advisor to junior staff involved in growth projects.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Marketing or a related field (MBA preferred).
  • Proven track record of delivering growth in a senior leadership role.
  • Experience in marketing, sales, business development or product management.
  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities.
  • Familiarity with similar specific industry or sector.

If you have an innovative mindset with a focus on growth and improvement and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment and have demonstrated success in fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, we would love to hear from you. Join our team and be a driving force behind our success as we revolutionise our sector.

Download full job description

Name(Required)
Privacy Policy(Required)
Newsletter
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Required skills

Becoming a successful CGO requires a mix of strategic vision, leadership and technical expertise. Key skills include:

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute long-term plans for growth.

Data Analysis: Expertise in interpreting data to inform business decisions.

Leadership and Communication: Leading cross-functional teams and aligning departments.

Creativity and Innovation: Finding new ways to grow markets and improve customer satisfaction.

Technical Savvy: Proficiency in digital marketing, CRM platforms, analytics tools and programmes such as:

Hubspot

Google Analytics

Marketo

Salesforce

Mailchimp

Google Ads / Facebook / Meta Ads Manager

Slack

Trello / Monday.com

SurveyMonkey  

Education requirements

While there’s no single path to becoming a CGO, most candidates possess:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree: Common fields include business, marketing, economics or related disciplines.
  • Advanced Qualifications: An MBA or equivalent can give candidates an edge, particularly for roles in larger organisations.
  • Certifications: Courses in digital marketing, data analytics or leadership can enhance a candidate’s profile.

Our digital recruitment agency approach

We operate with our core values at the centre of everything we do. We listen. We support. We’re ethical, always wanting the best for clients and candidates – we’ll never push you down a route that is not right for you or your business. That’s built our trusted reputation as a digital recruitment agency, and it’s why our customers come back to us time and time again.

Chief Growth Officer FAQs

What industries hire Chief Growth Officers?
CGOs are in demand across industries, including tech, finance, retail, healthcare and start-ups.
How does a CGO differ from a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)?
While Chief Marketing Officer focus primarily on marketing, CGOs take a broader view, overseeing growth strategies that encompass marketing, sales, and customer experience.
Is the CGO role suitable for start-ups?
Absolutely. Start-ups often hire CGOs to spearhead their growth efforts and scale operations quickly.
What challenges do CGOs face?
Common challenges include: Aligning different departments with growth objectives. Balancing short-term gains with long-term sustainability. Adapting to evolving customer behaviours and market dynamics.
How does a CGO measure success?
Success is typically measured through metrics including: revenue growth; customer acquisition and retention rates; market share expansion and return on investment (ROI) from growth initiatives. .