Leadership and fractional roles
Hire a Content Director | Head of Content/Content Marketing Director
A content director owns what a company publishes and why. I set the content strategy, build the editorial calendar around search demand and customer questions, direct writers and editors, and measure content by leads and revenue instead of word count. It suits brands publishing regularly without a clear return.
Pricing is scoped to each project. Book a call and I will tell you what yours involves.
- 10 yearsin digital growth
- 4 marketsUK, Australia, USA and Bangladesh
- 30-60-90day plan with a written checkpoint
- 1 callto scope your project
The role
What a content director is and does
A content director is a content director who owns the content strategy, calendar and editorial standard. In my own work I map topics to search demand, customer questions and the sales cycle and set the editorial calendar, briefs and quality checklist. I work at senior level: I own the plan, the budget and the result, and I direct the people and tools doing the day-to-day work.
Before
The blog and social feeds are busy, but nobody can show which content produced leads or sales.
With me as your content director
- Map topics to search demand, customer questions and the sales cycle
- Set the editorial calendar, briefs and quality checklist
- Direct writers, editors and designers and review every draft
- Measure content by rankings, leads and assisted revenue
Fit
When to hire a content director instead of an agency or a full-time hire
Hire a content director when the blog and social feeds are busy, but nobody can show which content produced leads or sales. A content strategist designs the plan; a content director also runs the team and the calendar, and answers for the results of the whole programme.
Engagement
Engagement models: fractional, retainer or project
I work as a content director in three ways: a fixed project, a monthly retainer, or a fractional arrangement of set days each week. The content volume and how many topics you cover usually decides which of the three fits.
- Fractional
I work a set number of days or hours each week as part of your team.
- Retainer
A fixed monthly scope with a review at the end of each month.
- Project
A defined deliverable with a start, an end and agreed checkpoints.
Pricing
How pricing works
The cost of hiring a content director depends on the content volume and how many topics you cover, the number of writers and approvers involved, the number of channels or platforms involved, the size of the team I work with, how long we work together and how quickly you need results. I scope every engagement to your situation and do not publish rates, so you pay only for the work your business needs.
What changes the scope
Content volume and how many topics you coverThe number of writers and approvers involvedThe number of channels or platformsTeam size and who needs to be managedLength of the engagementHow fast you need results
- Project
A defined piece of content director work with a start, an end and agreed deliverables.
- Monthly retainer
Ongoing content director work with a fixed monthly scope, reviewed every month.
- Fractional or part-time
A set number of days or hours each week, with me working inside your team.
Freelancer vs agency vs in-house for content director work
| Option | Speed | Control | Accountability | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer (me) | Starts within days of agreeing scope | Direct access to the person doing the work | One named person answers for results | Scale up or down by month |
| Agency | Slower to start; account and delivery teams | Work passes through several people | Shared across a team and account manager | Fixed packages and notice periods |
| In-house hire | Slowest: recruiting and onboarding first | Full day-to-day control | Direct line manager, but one person covers many tasks | Long-term commitment, harder to change |
First 90 days
First 90 days: roadmap and deliverables
The first ninety days follow a fixed shape so you can see progress early. Each phase ends with a written checkpoint that we review together before the next one begins.
- Days 1-30
Audit existing content and decide what to keep, update or retire.
- Days 31-60
Publish the editorial plan and briefs for the first quarter.
- Days 61-90
Review the first results and move budget to the formats that earn.
How I work
How I work: reporting, KPIs and management
I work at senior level: I own the plan, the budget and the result, and I direct the people and tools doing the day-to-day work. Every month I report on organic clicks to content, leads from content and articles published against the plan, with the goal beside the actual and a clear next decision.
- Reported every monthOrganic clicks to content
- Reported every monthLeads from content
- Reported every monthArticles published against the plan
Proof
Case studies with numbers
These are real projects from my own records, with the first number shown exactly as it is reported in the full case study.
Choosing well
How to evaluate a content director
Use direct questions to judge a candidate. Strong ones answer plainly, give an example, and are comfortable saying what they would not do.
- 01
Ask for an editorial plan they built and how they judged success.
- 02
Ask how they brief a freelance writer.
Before the call
What to prepare before the call
Bring these to the call so we can scope the work in one conversation.
What to prepare before the call
- Your ten best-performing pages
- Existing content library and its owner
- Customer questions sales hears most
- Your current writers and editors
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on scope, timing and fit. Pricing is always scoped to your project.
What does a content director do?
As your content director, I map topics to search demand, customer questions and the sales cycle, set the editorial calendar, briefs and quality checklist, direct writers, editors and designers and review every draft and measure content by rankings, leads and assisted revenue. I own the plan and the result, and direct the people doing the work.
How much does it cost to hire a content director?
Cost depends on the content volume and how many topics you cover, the number of writers and approvers involved, the number of channels or platforms, team size, engagement length and how quickly you need results. I scope each project individually instead of quoting a standard rate. Book a Call for a scoped quote and I will tell you exactly what your situation involves.
Freelance content director vs agency: which is better?
A content strategist designs the plan; a content director also runs the team and the calendar, and answers for the results of the whole programme. A freelancer gives you direct access and flexible commitment; an agency adds a larger bench. Tell me what you need on a call and I will say honestly which suits you.
When should I hire a content director?
Hire a content director when the blog and social feeds are busy, but nobody can show which content produced leads or sales. If that sounds familiar, a short call is enough to confirm whether the role fits or whether something simpler would do. Book a Call and I will answer this for your specific situation.
What should I ask before hiring a content director?
Ask for an editorial plan they built and how they judged success. Ask how they brief a freelance writer. Their answers matter less than whether they answer plainly, with specifics you can check. Book a Call and I will answer this for your specific situation.
How long until I see results from a content director?
Timing depends on your starting point and the channel. In the first 30 days I audit existing content and decide what to keep, update or retire. By day 60 I publish the editorial plan and briefs for the first quarter. By day 90 I review the first results and move budget to the formats that earn. We agree these checkpoints before work starts.
Fractional vs full-time: what is the difference?
A full-time hire gives daily presence and one employer's full attention. A fractional arrangement gives you senior experience for a set number of days each week, without a permanent salary or hiring risk. The right choice depends on how much leadership the business can use today and how fast it is growing.
How many hours per week does it take?
Hours depend on the content volume and how many topics you cover and the number of writers and approvers involved. Many engagements start with a few set days or hours a week for planning and review, then adjust once the workload is clear. I agree the weekly time with you at the start and review it every month.
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