Hire a head of marketing
Heads of marketing own the marketing strategy, budget and team, and are accountable for marketing's contribution to growth. Here's when you need one and how to hire well.
When to hire a head of marketing
- The founder is still running marketing and it's holding growth back
- You have a few marketers and nobody setting strategy
- You've raised money with a growth plan marketing has to deliver
What it costs
We don't have enough published salaries for this role yet to give a range.
- Job post
- Free
- AI Talent Agent
- $399 per role
- Concierge recruiting
- $6,000 flat
Recruiting agencies typically charge 20–25% of first-year salary.
How competitive it is
14 marketing leadership roles are open on HeyMarketers right now, 29% of them remote. Companies hiring include Later, MongoDB, Adyen, Duolingo, Glossier. Good candidates have options, so move quickly and publish your pay range.
What to look for
- A function they built or turned around, with numbers
- Experience at your stage, not just at large companies
- Hiring and coaching track record
- Hands-on depth in at least one channel
Red flags
- Needs a big team before doing anything
- Only big-company experience for an early-stage role
- Can't tie marketing to revenue
Questions to ask
What would your first 90 days look like here?
Listen for: Listening and diagnosis before changes, with quick wins.
Who would you hire first and why?
Listen for: Reasoning from the company's biggest gap.
How do you report marketing to the board?
Listen for: A few metrics tied to revenue and an honest view of what's working.
Tell me about a strategy that didn't work.
Listen for: Owning the mistake and how they changed course.
See all head of marketing interview questions · Job description template
The first 90 days
- A diagnosis of what's working and a plan the CEO signs off on
- Budget allocation and goals by channel
- A hiring plan for the next two roles
Full-time, fractional or freelance?
Full-time once marketing is a major growth lever and you can support a team. Before that, a fractional CMO often gets you further for less.
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a head of marketing?
Hiring through HeyMarketers: posting a job is free, the AI Talent Agent is $399 per role, and Concierge recruiting is a flat $6,000 per full-time hire, compared with the 20–25% of first-year salary agencies typically charge.
Should I hire a full-time or fractional head of marketing?
Full-time once marketing is a major growth lever and you can support a team. Before that, a fractional CMO often gets you further for less.
How long does it take to hire?
With Concierge you get a shortlist of three screened candidates within 10 business days. Job posts and the AI Talent Agent depend on the role and how quickly you review candidates.
Are you a head of marketing yourself? Read the career guide.