Head of Marketing job description

A well-crafted job description is essential for attracting top marketing talent. The Head of Marketing role is critical for driving brand growth, customer engagement and business success. However, many companies struggle to create job postings that resonate with the right candidates.

With competition for senior marketing professionals at an all-time high, it’s important to make your job listing stand out. This is where a specialist Marketing recruitment agency such as Intelligent People can also provide valuable insights into hiring trends and candidate expectations. In this guide, we’ll break down how to write an effective Head of Marketing job description that attracts top-tier professionals.

Understanding the role of a Head of Marketing

Before drafting the job description, it’s important to define the role and expectations clearly. The Head of Marketing is responsible for leading marketing strategies, managing teams and aligning marketing efforts with business objectives. Their role often includes:

  • Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing strategy.
  • Managing digital, content, and traditional marketing campaigns.
  • Leading brand positioning and competitive market analysis.
  • Overseeing a team of marketers and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Driving customer acquisition, engagement, and retention.
  • Measuring marketing performance using data analytics.
  • Budgeting and resource allocation for marketing initiatives.

Unlike a CMO, who typically focuses on high-level business strategy, the Head of Marketing is more involved in execution while maintaining a strategic vision. Many companies turn to a marketing recruitment agency to help source candidates with the right balance of leadership and hands-on expertise.

Defining the key skills and qualifications

The best Head of Marketing candidates possess a combination of technical knowledge, leadership experience and creativity. When crafting your job description, highlight the following key skills:

Essential hard skills:

  • Strategic thinking: Ability to develop long-term marketing plans aligned with business goals.
  • Digital marketing expertise: Experience with SEO, PPC, email marketing and social media.
  • Data-driven decision making: Proficiency in Google Analytics, CRM platforms and data analysis.
  • Content marketing & brand development: Crafting compelling messaging and storytelling.

Soft skills:

  • Leadership & team management: Proven ability to lead and mentor marketing teams.
  • Communication & collaboration: Working cross-functionally with sales, product and executive teams.
  • Innovation & adaptability: Staying ahead of marketing trends and industry shifts.

Preferred qualifications & experience:

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in marketing, business or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in senior marketing roles.
  • Experience in relevant sector(s).
  • Familiarity with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce and other marketing automation software which is relevant to your company. 

If your company works with a Marketing recruitment agency, they can help refine these requirements to attract candidates who match your business needs.

How to write an engaging and clear job description

An effective job description should be both engaging and clear. Here’s how to structure it:

1. Job title:

Be specific. Instead of a vague title like “Marketing Lead,” use “Head of Marketing – B2B SaaS” or “Head of Digital Marketing & Brand Strategy.”

2. Company overview:

Describe your company’s mission, culture and growth vision. Top marketing leaders will want to know about your brand’s purpose and how they can contribute.

3. Responsibilities:

for clarity, use bullet points to list key responsibilities. Example:

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy to drive revenue growth.
  • Lead and mentor a team of marketers, fostering a data-driven culture.
  • Oversee multi-channel marketing campaigns, including digital, content and brand marketing.
  • Analyse marketing performance and present insights to executive leadership.
  • Manage marketing budgets and optimise spend for maximum ROI.

4. Requirements:

Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Example:

  • Must-have: 7+ years in senior marketing roles, experience with data-driven strategies.
  • Nice-to-have: Experience in [specific industry], certifications in Google Analytics or HubSpot.

5. Benefits and perks:

Highlight what sets your company apart. Do you offer flexible work arrangements, stock options or leadership development programmes? These perks can help attract high-calibre candidates.

Positioning your job posting for maximum visibility

To ensure your job description reaches the right audience, consider the following strategies:

  • Post on the right platforms: Use LinkedIn, Marketing job boards and company career pages.
  • Optimise for SEO: Include keywords like Head of Marketing, Marketing recruiter, and Marketing recruitment to improve search visibility.
  • Leverage your brand: Feature testimonials from current employees and showcase your company culture in job postings.
  • Partner with a marketing recruitment agency: If you need access to a broader talent pool, agencies specialising in marketing hires can connect you with pre-vetted candidates. working with a specialist Marketing recruitment agency like Intelligent people not only brings your access to a network of senior candidates, but they have placed 1,000s of quality candidates over the last 20+ years and can advise on things like salary, interview questions and many other areas saving you time and money. 

Avoiding common mistakes in Head of Marketing job descriptions

Many job postings fail to attract top candidates due to common pitfalls, including:

  • Being too vague: A generic job description won’t stand out. Be specific about expectations and company goals.
  • Overemphasising technical skills: While traditional Digital Marketing skills are important, leadership and strategy are equally critical to this senior Marketing role. 
  • Neglecting culture and growth opportunities: Senior marketers want to know about career progression and company vision.

Companies that struggle with hiring often benefit from working with a Marketing recruitment agency to refine job descriptions and improve candidate targeting.

Conclusion

A compelling Head of Marketing job description is crucial for attracting the right talent. By clearly defining the role, highlighting key skills and optimising your job posting, you can position your company as an attractive employer for top-tier marketing professionals.

If you’re struggling to find the right fit, consider partnering with a Marketing recruitment agency to access a wider talent pool and streamline your hiring process. Start optimising your job description today and secure the marketing leader your company needs for success.

Are you hiring a candidate for your Marketing team? View our list of 95 Marketing interview questions for employers or contact us today.

Mark Fletcher Brown Nn5L5Gxkfz8 Unsplash