CMO Executive Search and CMO Recruitment

Hanson Search’s CMO executive search practice, part of Hanson Executives within Hanson Search Group, connects businesses with experienced, skilled Chief Marketing Officers who deliver real commercial impact. Whether you’re a fast-scaling start-up or an established brand, our team has the network and expertise to find your next marketing leader.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications recruitment, we’ve built a truly global presence, working with clients across London, Europe, the UAE and the USA. Our data-led process makes us a trusted partner for businesses seeking an expert CMO executive search and CMO recruitment partner.

Why Partner with Hanson Search for CMO Executive Search

We know the markets we operate in inside out, from London to New York, and understand the calibre of marketing leadership required to succeed in each.

Our dedicated CMO recruitment team brings:

  • Deep market insight and accurate salary benchmarking
  • Access to a trusted network of top-tier marketing leaders
  • A track record placing CMOs into scale-ups, FTSE 250 firms and global brands

We’re discreet, fast-moving and focused on long-term fit. Whether you need a permanent hire or interim support, we deliver fast, focused CMO executive search wherever you’re hiring.

Qualities We Look for in a Chief Marketing Officer

We focus on hiring CMOs who thrive in dynamic, competitive markets. The best CMOs:

  • Combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery
  • Build customer-centric marketing ecosystems
  • Lead digital, brand, content and performance teams
  • Align marketing with commercial goals and investor expectations

Whether B2B or B2C, agency or in-house, we find leaders who can scale brands and build value. Our CMO executive search approach ensures candidates are culturally aligned, commercially astute and primed for success. Where a business needs a leader who runs the function day to day rather than sits at board level, our Marketing Director recruitment practice covers that adjacent hire.

CMOs We’ve Placed Across Key Industries

We’ve successfully placed marketing leaders across:

  • Fintech and financial services
  • SaaS and high-growth tech
  • Consumer goods and FMCG
  • Luxury fashion and lifestyle
  • Healthcare and pharma
  • Media, publishing and digital platforms
  • Professional services and legal firms
  • AI

Need a data-driven brand builder or a digitally fluent B2B strategist? Our CMO recruitment team can help.

Understand CMO Salary Trends

Salary benchmarking is essential to any CMO search. Our UK Marketing & Communications Salary Guide covers the latest remuneration data, workplace trends and hiring insights across marketing and communications.

The guide is a valuable resource for planning your next hire or evaluating your current team, and supports any successful CMO executive search or CMO recruitment strategy.

You can also explore marketing industry benchmarks via the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Alice Weightman

Meet Alice Weightman, CEO and Global Executive Search Leader
With decades of experience and insight into what defines successful marketing leadership.

CMO Executive Search FAQs

What is the difference between CMO recruitment and CMO executive search?

CMO recruitment can cover advertised or database led hiring, while CMO executive search is a retained, headhunt led process. Hanson Search runs CMO executive search as standard, since the strongest marketing leaders are rarely applying for roles.

Can you assist with interim CMO appointments?

Yes. Where a business needs immediate marketing leadership, we provide interim CMOs and senior marketing professionals. This gives continuity while a permanent CMO search runs alongside it.

Do you support international CMO searches?

Yes. We run CMO executive search internationally across London, Europe, the USA and the Middle East, drawing on a global marketing talent network with cross border experience.

How does a CMO search differ from a CEO or CFO search?

A CMO owns brand, growth and customer strategy, while a CEO owns overall direction and a CFO owns financial strategy. We assess CMO candidates on how they operate alongside both.

Let’s Start Your CMO Executive Search

If you’re looking to hire a Chief Marketing Officer, or reshape your marketing leadership team, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our specialist consultants today to start your search. Speak to a Member of Our Team or submit your brief below

From high-growth start-ups to global enterprises, we support businesses globally with expert-led CMO executive search and CMO recruitment services.

Get in touch









    Introducing
    Our Experts
    With a network spanning the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East, our team of recruitment consultants are experts in sourcing the best talent globally.

    • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

      Alice Weightman

      Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...
    • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

      Janie Emmerson

      Janie Emmerson: Janie leads our UK and European teams and offices from our London base, guiding and supporting their work across...
    • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

      Nils Gerardin

      Nils Gerardin: Nils brings almost ten years of search experience and talent management consulting in France and cross-border for start-ups...
    • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

      Katie Simpson

      Katie Simpson: Katie specialises in senior, global executive search across Corporate Affairs and Communications, with particular depth in the UK...
    • Managing Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

      Amy Hayer

      Amy Hayer: Amy is an executive search professional with over 15 years of experience building and scaling high-performing teams across...
    • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

      Barbara Ozanon

      Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...
    • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

      Peter Ferguson

      Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports industry leaders across highly regulated...
    • Marketing Lead

      Sam White

      Sam White: Marketing Lead Sam White joined Hanson Search in 2016, initially working as an internal recruiter after gaining experience...
    • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

      Robyn Field

      Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...
    • Associate Director, MENA

      Lexi Smith-Muller

      Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi is an executive search specialist with over 12 years of recruitment experience across the UK and Middle...
    • Principal Consultant, Communications, Marketing & Digital Marketing

      Helena Ranger

      Helena Ranger: As Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR and Brand Marketing, Helena has played a pivotal role...
    • Advisor

      Nicholas Watkins

      Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...
    • Head of Corporate and Financial

      Allyson Kurian

      Allyson Kurian: Originally from the US, Allyson specialises in corporate affairs and financial communications, working across both the US and...
    • Head of Corporate & Brand Communications, Europe

      Camille Chevallier

      Camille Chevallier: With over 20 years of senior communications experience across Europe, Camille has held leadership roles at agencies and...
    • Business Support

      Mirjana R.Dejanovska

      Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...
    • Senior Researcher

      Arlena Butt

      Arlena Butt: Arlena is a Senior Researcher at Hanson Search, with three years of experience supporting executive search across Public...
    • Business Support

      Ivana Stevanovska

      Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...
    • Head of Interim Communications

      Ben Mitchell

      Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...
    • Researcher, MENA

      Nevena Ilievska

      Nevena Ilievska: With a degree in Psychology and nearly four years of experience in talent acquisition and research, Nevena has...
    • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

      Madeleine Weightman

      Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...
    • Search Director, MENA

      Amanda Dowie

      Amanda Dowie : MENA Search Director Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global...
    • Researcher

      Fani Mateska

      Fani Mateska: With over four years’ experience in recruitment consultancy, Fani joined Hanson Search in July 2025, bringing expertise from...
    • Advisor

      Michelle Milbourn

      Michelle Milbourn: Advisor Michelle is a seasoned executive search specialist with two decades of experience supporting founders and investors across...
    • Director, Hanson Capital MENA

      Alice Maltby

      Alice Maltby : Director, Investor Markets, UAE Alice Maltby is a Director at Hanson Search MENA, working within the firm’s...
    • Researcher

      Ivana Cilevska

      Ivana Cilevska Ivana Cilevska is a Researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the European team across client mandates and contributing to...
    • Marketing Content Executive

      Reg Wheeler

      Reg Wheeler: Reg is a Marketing Content Executive at Hanson Search, supporting a range of marketing and content initiatives across...
    • UK Marketing Lead

      Daniela Mamica

      Daniela Mamica: Daniela is UK Marketing Lead, working across senior and leadership level roles. She brings a wealth of experience,...