Article

Do I Hire a CMO or a Marketing Manager?

July 8, 2025

How to Make the Right Call for Your Business


Over the years recruiting senior marketers, I’ve had countless conversations with talented CMOs and Heads of Marketing who’ve landed what looked like dream roles—only to find themselves, just a few months in, bogged down in emails, briefing social posts, and fighting for buy-in.


❌ No real strategy.
❌ No room to innovate.
❌ No chance to make the impact their experience promised.


It’s a frustrating mismatch—and often, a sign that the business wasn’t actually ready for senior marketing leadership in the first place.


So, if you’re asking yourself “Do I need a CMO or a Marketing Manager?”, it’s worth stepping back and honestly assessing what your business needs right now.


Before you hire, ask yourself:


  • Does my business have a clear marketing strategy and structure already in place?
  • A CMO can absolutely build this from scratch, but only if your leadership team is ready to support that process.
  • Am I looking for someone to manage and execute, or to lead and innovate?
  • If you're expecting hands-on delivery, a great Marketing Manager might be the better (and more cost-effective) choice.
  • Are we ready for a leader who’ll challenge the status quo and drive change?
  • A strong senior marketer will push for investment, process change, and long-term thinking. That’s their job—and they need executive-level backing to do it well.
  • How mature is our current marketing team?
  • A CMO without the right team beneath them often ends up doing the execution work themselves. Which isn’t what anyone wants.
  • Is there alignment at the executive level about marketing’s role in growth?
  • This is crucial. If the leadership team doesn’t understand or agree on marketing’s purpose, it’ll be near-impossible for any senior marketer to succeed.


The Bottom Line


Hiring a CMO isn’t just about finding someone senior—it’s about making sure your business is ready to unlock the value that comes with strategic marketing leadership.


If you’re not quite there yet, that’s OK. A brilliant Marketing Manager who can execute, optimise, and grow with the business might be the perfect next step.


But if you are ready for bold leadership, big thinking, and transformation—go ahead and hire that CMO. And give them the support they need to thrive.


Because the right hire, at the right time, can be a game-changer.


Contact Lucy


Need help finding your next marketing or CMO role? We’re here to connect top talent with the right opportunities. At New Chapter Talent, we understand the marketing landscape and can guide you towards the roles that best fit your skills and aspirations - get in touch with us today! Feel free to contact Lucy...


✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au

📞 +61 416 153 144

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭
𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫


Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities, follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn.



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