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Job description

The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is a senior-level executive who is responsible for developing and implementing the overall marketing strategy for the entire organisation. The CMO is a key member of the organisation's leadership team and typically reports directly to the CEO.

The CMO typically has more experience and expertise than a marketing director. A CMO is expected to have a strong track record of developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns and should have a deep understanding of the industry and target market. Typically responsible for managing the entire marketing department, with a large team to manage.

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Regional salaries

National average salary range

Lower quartile
£98,129
The band under which 25% of salaries are paid. The entry point for the job role
Median
£119,156
The midpoint salary for the job role
Upper quartile
£140,184
The band above which 25% of salaries are paid. For experienced professionals operating at expert level.
Career overview
Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities of a CMO can vary depending on the organisation and the industry, but generally, they include:

  • Developing and presenting the overall marketing strategy to the board of directors.Providing regular updates to the board on the progress of marketing efforts and the impact on business goals.Seeking approval from the board for marketing budget and spending proposals.Working to align marketing efforts with the overall business strategy of the organisation.
  • Providing stakeholders with market research and analysis to inform decision making.
  • Seeking the support of the board on key marketing decisions.
  • Reporting to the board on the performance of the marketing department and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Collaborating with other members of the executive team to ensure that marketing efforts align with the overall goals of the organisation.
  • The role of a CMO is similar to that of a marketing director but on a larger scale and across all departments and divisions of an organisation.
Key skills and personal attributes
  • A CMO needs to be an effective leader who can inspire and motivate the marketing team to achieve their goals.
  • To have a strategic mindset and be able to develop and implement marketing strategies that align with the company's overall business objectives.
  • Successful CMOs are creative and innovative in developing new marketing ideas and campaigns that capture the attention of customers.
  • To be able to analyse marketing data and metrics to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and make data-driven decisions.
  • Have strong communication skills to effectively communicate marketing strategies and plans to the rest of the organisation, the board and to internal and external stakeholders.
  • The CMO needs to be customer-centric with a deep understanding of customer needs and preferences to develop marketing strategies that resonate with them.
  • The ability to quickly adapt in response to changes in the market and consumer behaviour.
  • A CMO needs to be a team player and able to collaborate effectively with other departments, such as sales, product development, and finance.
  • To have a thorough understanding of the industry in which the company operates, including the competitive landscape, regulatory environment, and emerging trends.
  • To be tech-savvy and familiar with the latest marketing technologies and tools, such as digital marketing platforms, social media, and analytics tools.
Relevant marketing qualifications

The majority of CMOs have qualifications relevant to their profession or significant experience within the role and industry they’ve applied themselves to. These can include:

1. A bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, or a related field.

2. A master's degree in marketing.

3. Marketing Certification from accredited bodies, such as those offered by the Chartered Institute in Marketing (CIM), the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the Institute of Data Marketing (IDM) or the British Academy of Digital Marketing.

4. In addition to formal education, a CMO should have a track record of success in marketing, with experience developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns.

Career path

As the executive leader for marketing within an organization, the career path for a CMO is limited to that of CEO, Consultant or as CMO externally for a larger business.

CMOs are often considered strong candidates for CEO positions, having a deep understanding of the organisation's customers and the market, being skilled at developing and implementing marketing strategies that drive business growth.

To become a CEO, an individual would need to demonstrate a proven track record of success in their current role and strong leadership skills. They may also need to have a broad understanding of all aspects of the business, not just marketing, and be able to think strategically about the long-term direction of the organisation.

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