Hiring senior marketers is harder than ever. The best candidates aren’t actively job-hunting—they’re being hunted. With startups, agencies, and global brands all fishing in the same talent pool, how do you make your opportunity stand out?
At SustainRecruit, we work with brands across Sydney and Melbourne to find, attract, and secure top marketing leaders. Here's what actually works when the competition is fierce.
1. Lead with Vision, Not Just a Vacancy
Senior marketers aren’t swayed by job specs. They’re motivated by vision, leadership alignment, and the chance to make real impact.
In your brief, go beyond tasks and KPIs. Show how this role contributes to the bigger picture. What’s the brand journey? Where does marketing lead the business, not just support it?
Pro tip: Don’t post "We're looking for a senior marketer." Say, "We need a strategic partner to help reposition the business in market."
2. Offer Strategic Ownership, Not Just Execution
The #1 turnoff for senior talent? Being hired to "lead strategy," then expected to just deliver campaigns. True senior marketers want:
- Autonomy over brand direction
- A seat at the leadership table
- Budget influence and resource clarity
- Room to build or shape the team
If your current brief is 70% tactical delivery, don’t expect A-players to jump.
3. Showcase Culture and Leadership Style
Top candidates ask:
- “Who will I be working with?”
- “Will I be trusted or micromanaged?”
- “Is there room to challenge the status quo?”
Share leadership values, not just team size. Include a paragraph in your job ad or hiring process about the CMO, CEO, or direct report’s approach. Consider a video or quote from leadership if you're serious about engagement.
4. Be Transparent About Remit and Resourcing
Nothing scares off senior marketers faster than vagueness about budget, decision-making power, or reporting lines.
Be clear on:
- What’s already in place
- Where the gaps are
- What support they'll have (team, agency, tools)
- How success will be measured
You don’t need to be perfect. You do need to be transparent.
5. Streamline Your Hiring Process (or Lose Them)
Senior marketers are often fielding multiple offers. If your process is slow, unclear, or stretched across five interviews, you’ll lose them to a faster-moving brand.
Tips:
- Combine panels (where possible)
- Give real feedback between stages
- Set clear timelines—and stick to them
- Don’t drag it out to "compare more options"
Speed signals seriousness. So does decisiveness.
6. Don’t Lowball on Salary—or Growth
Senior marketers know their worth. They've run teams, managed millions in budget, and delivered business-critical campaigns. Offering 10–20% below market “to see if they’ll take it” damages your brand.
What they value:
- Competitive salary
- A clear bonus structure
- Growth opportunities (e.g. CMO in 2 years)
- Executive mentoring or board exposure
7. Partner with a Specialist Recruiter
Finding great marketers is one thing. Attracting and closing them is another.
At SustainRecruit, we don’t just send CVs—we advise on:
- Positioning your role to attract top-tier talent
- Interview strategy that builds buy-in
- What competitors are offering right now
- How to secure a “yes” without overpaying
In a candidate-short market, your recruitment process is your employer brand. We help you get it right from the start.
Final Thought
Senior marketing talent has more options than ever—but many aren’t just looking for their next title. They’re waiting for the right fit: a role with purpose, ownership, and the ability to make a real impact.
If you can articulate a clear vision, offer strategic influence, and run a confident, focused hiring process—you’ll attract marketers who move businesses forward, not just move metrics.
Ready to Attract Senior Marketing Talent?
At SustainRecruit, we help businesses across Sydney and Melbourne secure senior marketing leaders who drive real commercial results. Whether you're hiring a Head of Marketing, Growth Lead, or future CMO, we’ll help you craft the offer, tell the story, and close the candidate confidently.
📩 Get in touch with our Senior Consultant for Marketing, Alex Cytowska, to start your search: alex@sustainrecruit.com.
