Hire a Head of Marketing who understands ecommerce

Marketing leadership in ecommerce is a different discipline. Brand, performance, retention - the best candidates balance all three. We know where to find them.

Why it’s hard

Great ecommerce marketing leaders are genuinely rare

Hiring a Head of Marketing for an ecommerce business isn't the same as hiring one for a traditional brand. Ecommerce marketing is fast, data-heavy, and commercially driven - you need someone who thinks in attribution models and customer lifetime value, not just brand awareness and reach.

The best candidates combine strong performance marketing chops with genuine brand sensibility and the leadership ability to build and manage a team. That combination is hard to find - and it doesn't usually show up on a job board.

What to look for

Skills that matter in an ecommerce Head of Marketing

When we brief this role with clients, these are the capabilities that consistently separate strong candidates from exceptional ones.

Performance marketing depth

They should have strong hands-on understanding of paid social, paid search, SEO, and affiliate - even if they're now leading a team that executes it.

CRM & retention strategy

Acquisition is expensive. The best marketing leaders know how to build and leverage a customer base - email, loyalty, and lifecycle marketing.

Commercial thinking

Marketing in ecommerce is measured in revenue, ROAS, CAC, and LTV. They need to own and understand the numbers behind every campaign decision.

Brand leadership

Performance without brand creates a race to the bottom on price. The best ecommerce marketing leaders hold both - driving acquisition while protecting brand equity.

Team development

A Head of Marketing is a people leader first. Their ability to hire well, develop the team, and manage performance is as important as their own marketing skills.

Data literacy

They don't need to build dashboards themselves, but they must be able to read, interpret, and challenge data across the full marketing funnel.

2025 Salary Guide

What does a Head of Marketing earn in Australian ecommerce?

Marketing leadership salaries in ecommerce vary significantly by business size and budget ownership. These figures are drawn from Revere Recruitment's 2025 Ecommerce Salary Guide.

Figures are base salary. Total packages including STI and benefits can be significantly higher. Download the full 2025 guide at revererecruitment.com.au/salary-guide-2025.

“Working with Emily was an absolute dream. Her in-depth knowledge of the industry and her clients ensured the best fit for both me and the company. Her guidance and genuine care throughout the entire process were invaluable”

— Jemma Cumming - Head of Ecommerce

FAQ

Common questions about hiring a Head of Marketing

• What salary should I offer a Head of Marketing for my ecommerce business?

  Based on Revere Recruitment's 2025 Salary Guide, a Head of Marketing in an Australian ecommerce business typically earns between $150,000 and $200,000 base salary. CMOs and Marketing Directors can earn $190,000–$280,000+. If your salary is below market, we'll tell you before you go out - it saves time for everyone.

• What's the difference between a Head of Marketing and a CMO?

  In most Australian ecommerce businesses, the titles are used interchangeably. A CMO typically sits on the executive team with broader strategic influence and full P&L ownership for the marketing function. A Head of Marketing may have a slightly more execution-focused remit. The distinction depends on your business size and leadership structure.

• Do I need someone with ecommerce-specific marketing experience?

  Strongly preferred. Ecommerce marketing is performance-heavy, data-driven, and commercially accountable in ways that traditional brand or retail marketing often isn't. Candidates coming from purely traditional brand backgrounds often take longer to get up to speed - and can underestimate how rigorous the measurement environment is. We'll always be honest with you about a candidate's background and what the adjustment period might look like.

• How long does it take to hire a Head of Marketing?

  Most Head of Marketing searches take 4–8 weeks from briefing to accepted offer. Senior marketing candidates typically have notice periods of 4–8 weeks, so build this into your planning. The more clarity you have on the brief from the start, the faster the process moves.

Ready to find your Head of Marketing?

Tell us about the role and we'll come back to you within one business day.