What we assess
Positioning clarity. Can they articulate the positioning strategy and messaging framework?
Team leadership. Have they built and developed high-performing marketing teams?
Pipeline impact. Can they show how marketing contributed to revenue growth?
Cross functional collaboration. How do they work with sales, product, and leadership?
Scorecard highlights
- Positioning and messaging clarity
- Team leadership and development
- Pipeline and revenue impact
- Cross functional collaboration
- Strategic planning and execution
Head of Marketing salary ranges (2026)
Base salary ranges we see across our placements. Total comp is typically 15-30% higher with bonus and equity.
| Market | Seed to Series A | Series B+ | Enterprise / CMO |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $140K-$180K | $180K-$240K | $240K-$320K |
| United Kingdom | £85K-£110K | £110K-£150K | £150K-£200K |
| Western Europe | €75K-€100K | €100K-€140K | €140K-€180K |
| Remote (global) | $100K-$150K | $150K-$200K | $200K-$280K |
Red flags we screen for
- ✗Cannot name a pipeline number they owned or the revenue it generated
- ✗Only agency-side experience with no in-house ownership of budget or team
- ✗Cannot explain a campaign they shut down and why
- ✗Talks about brand awareness without tying it to a commercial outcome
- ✗Has never built or restructured a marketing team from scratch
Interview questions we use
- Walk me through the pipeline contribution of marketing in your last role. What was the number and how did you measure it?
- Tell me about a channel or campaign you killed. What signal told you it was time?
- Describe the marketing team you built. Who did you hire first and why?
- How did you work with the sales team on lead quality and handoff? What broke and how did you fix it?
- If you joined us next month, what would you do in the first 30 days before spending any budget?
Frequently asked questions
Generally, CMO is a C-suite role with board-level responsibility and broader strategic scope. Head of Marketing typically reports to the CEO/COO and owns marketing execution. We help you define the right level for your stage.
Often yes. Head of Marketing and CMO roles typically benefit from the deeper stakeholder alignment and assessment that Executive Search provides.
We hire for seed to Series C+ companies. The profile changes at each stage, and we help you define what you need.
Through structured behavioral interviews, evidence of team building and development, and deep reference conversations with former reports and peers.
Ready to hire a marketing leader?
Tell us about the role. We'll discuss whether Headhunting or Executive Search is right for you.
Read our guide on how to hire a Head of Marketing for a SaaS company.