Leadership and fractional roles
Hire a Digital Marketing Director | Head of Digital Marketing/CDO
A digital marketing director leads every online channel as a single function: search, paid media, email, social and the website. I set the digital strategy, manage the specialists, hold the digital budget and make sure each channel reports into one set of numbers. It fits companies whose channels run in silos.
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 digital marketing director is and does
A digital marketing director is a head of digital who runs SEO, paid, email and social as one function. In my own work I merge channel reporting into one scorecard the leadership team trusts and set channel roles and budgets so search, paid and email support each other. 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
SEO, ads, email and social each have a different owner and different dashboards, and nobody reconciles them.
With me as your digital marketing director
- Merge channel reporting into one scorecard the leadership team trusts
- Set channel roles and budgets so search, paid and email support each other
- Manage and review specialists, freelancers and agencies against targets
- Own the digital roadmap: website, tracking, content and campaigns
Fit
When to hire a digital marketing director instead of an agency or a full-time hire
Hire a digital marketing director when SEO, ads, email and social each have a different owner and different dashboards, and nobody reconciles them. A fractional CMO owns the whole commercial plan including sales alignment; a digital marketing director goes deeper on online channels, tooling and the people running them.
Engagement
Engagement models: fractional, retainer or project
I work as a digital marketing director in three ways: a fixed project, a monthly retainer, or a fractional arrangement of set days each week. How many digital channels sit under the role 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 digital marketing director depends on how many digital channels sit under the role, how many specialists and agencies need managing, 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
How many digital channels sit under the roleHow many specialists and agencies need managingThe number of channels or platformsTeam size and who needs to be managedLength of the engagementHow fast you need results
- Project
A defined piece of digital marketing director work with a start, an end and agreed deliverables.
- Monthly retainer
Ongoing digital marketing 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 digital marketing 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
Inventory every channel, owner, tool and budget, and fix tracking gaps.
- Days 31-60
Agree the digital roadmap and a single scorecard with channel owners.
- Days 61-90
Launch the weekly rhythm and review each specialist against their targets.
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 share of revenue from digital channels, blended cost per acquisition and organic and paid traffic quality, with the goal beside the actual and a clear next decision.
- Reported every monthShare of revenue from digital channels
- Reported every monthBlended cost per acquisition
- Reported every monthOrganic and paid traffic quality
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 digital marketing 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 how they split budget between channels and what evidence moves it.
- 02
Ask them to describe a specialist they managed out, or developed, and why.
Before the call
Digital leadership checklist for the first call
Bring these to the call so we can scope the work in one conversation.
Digital leadership checklist for the first call
- A list of every digital channel and who owns it
- Monthly spend per channel for the last two quarters
- Where your reporting lives today
- The one number the board asks about every month
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on scope, timing and fit. Pricing is always scoped to your project.
What does a digital marketing director do?
As your digital marketing director, I merge channel reporting into one scorecard the leadership team trusts, set channel roles and budgets so search, paid and email support each other, manage and review specialists, freelancers and agencies against targets and own the digital roadmap: website, tracking, content and campaigns. I own the plan and the result, and direct the people doing the work.
How much does it cost to hire a digital marketing director?
Cost depends on how many digital channels sit under the role, how many specialists and agencies need managing, 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 digital marketing director vs agency: which is better?
A fractional CMO owns the whole commercial plan including sales alignment; a digital marketing director goes deeper on online channels, tooling and the people running them. 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 digital marketing director?
Hire a digital marketing director when SEO, ads, email and social each have a different owner and different dashboards, and nobody reconciles them. If that sounds familiar, a short call is enough to confirm whether the role fits or whether something simpler would do.
What should I ask before hiring a digital marketing director?
Ask how they split budget between channels and what evidence moves it. Ask them to describe a specialist they managed out, or developed, and why. 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 digital marketing director?
Timing depends on your starting point and the channel. In the first 30 days I inventory every channel, owner, tool and budget, and fix tracking gaps. By day 60 I agree the digital roadmap and a single scorecard with channel owners. By day 90 I launch the weekly rhythm and review each specialist against their targets. 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 how many digital channels sit under the role and how many specialists and agencies need managing. 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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