Chief Marketing Officer (Chicago)

BRICK EXECUTIVE SEARCH has been retained to recruit a high performing Chief Marketing Officer for a womens clothing, footwear and accessories omni channel retailer. Position Overview:This is not a role for traditional marketers or consensus-seekers. We need a transformational CMO with both proven vision and flawless executionsomeone who has personally architected a fashion brands meteoric rise. Youll sit at the leadership table as a true peer, driving the brands evolution into a household name through omnichannel dominance.What It Takes:Brand Vision & LeadershipDevelop and drive a clear, audacious vision for national expansionmaintaining our bold identity while creating mainstream magnetismCommand respect with a definitive point of view and the backbone to defend ityoure respected, not necessarily universally likedFunction as a true executive leader, not just a marketing tacticianyour voice shapes company directionCraft distinctive competitive positioning that differentiates this brand from established national brandsOmnichannel ExcellenceArchitect seamless customer experiences that drive both explosive e-commerce growth and thriving retail expansionDemonstrate mastery of the digital-to-physical customer journey similar to how Reformations Yael Aflalo unified digital buzz with compelling store experiencesLeverage AI and emerging technologies to create competitive advantages in personalization, trend forecasting, and operational efficiencyCollaborate closely with merchandising, product, and operations to ensure brand consistency at every customer touchpointDigital DominanceOwn the entire digital marketing ecosystem with the intuitive understanding of what creates viral momentsNavigate social platforms like TikTok with the fluency and cultural intelligence of Depops Peter SempleBuild authentic influencer relationships that transcend transactional partnershipscreating a cultural movement, not just contentArchitect and implement a sophisticated marketing technology stack that scales with our ambitionsGrowth ExecutionDemonstrate a bias toward action with the calculated risk-taking approach that Deliver measurable results through sophisticated performance marketing strategiesBalance creative ambition with analytical disciplineyour decisions are data-informed but visionary-ledOwn P&L responsibility for marketing, optimizing budget allocation to maximize ROI across channelsDrive customer acquisition while building retention programs that foster long-term loyaltyMarket & Customer IntelligenceEstablish voice-of-customer programs and customer research initiatives that inform product and marketing strategyDevelop sophisticated segmentation models that power personalized marketing at scaleMonitor competitive landscape continuously, adapting strategies to maintain this brands distinctive positioningCreate an innovation pipeline that keeps the brand at the forefront of fashion marketing trendsCommunication & ReputationOversee PR strategy, media relations, and external communications to amplify brand awarenessDevelop crisis management protocols that protect brand reputationArticulate the brands values, including sustainability initiatives, as integral elements of brand storytellingBuild relationships with fashion media, industry influencers, and potential strategic partnersTeam LeadershipAttract, develop, and retain world-class marketing talent across specialtiesCreate a high-performance culture balanced with mentorship and professional developmentFoster cross-functional collaboration that breaks down traditional marketing silosEstablish centers of excellence in key marketing disciplines that drive the organization forwardWhat You Bring:Proven Transformation Experience: Youve personally led a fashion or retail brand through explosive national growth with tangible results.Digital + Physical Fluency: Deep expertise across e-commerce and physical retailnot just theory, but hands-on success.Leadership Presence: You operate as a true member of the leadership team, pushing the business forward with conviction and vision.Cultural Intelligence: You intuitively understand whats driving fashion culture now and what will drive it next.Execution Mindset: Your playbook isnt theoreticalits built on victories youve personally engineered and can replicate.Strategic Vision: You see around corners, anticipating market shifts before competitorsGlobal Perspective: Experience that will eventually support international expansion ambitions.Financial Acumen: Sophisticated understanding of marketing economics, CAC, LTV, and growth modeling.10+ Years: Senior marketing leadership in fashion, consumer brands, or retail with progressive responsibility.The Opportunity:Direct partnership with the leadership team to architect the brands national expansionAutonomy to build and execute your vision with meaningful resourcesCompetitive compensation reflecting true executive partnership, including equityThe platform to create your legacy by transforming an emerging brand into a national powerhouse

Created: 2025-09-24