Chief Marketing Officer (f/m/d)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Chief Marketing Officer (f/m/d)

🔹 Company: HOLZKERN

🔹 Location: Vienna, Wien, Austria

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Vienna HQ, with outdoor team retreats)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Scaling a consumer brand from ~€50M to €150M+ or equivalent, stewarding >€10M budgets
• Spotting underpriced attention and driving profitable growth in an international setup
• Leading high-performing teams and enhancing a hungry team
• Elevating the brand internationally and owning a high-impact marketing engine

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record in scaling consumer brands.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Mentor high-caliber leaders and create a culture of ownership, candor, and rapid experimentation

✅ Hire ahead of the curve to ensure bandwidth never slows momentum

✅ Lead by example, inspire others with passion for growth, impact, and a positive approach to get things done

✅ Pressure-test roadmaps, spot big bets or needed pivots early, and ensure synergy between departments lifts overall potential

✅ Enhance the playbook to monitor, test, and improve the full customer journey from ad impression to post-purchase experience

✅ Elevate the brand through thumb-stopping creative, premium shoots, collaborations, and limited drops

✅ Partner with product on insight-driven launches and sync with ops & finance to ensure healthy contribution margins as the brand scales

✅ Be tech-savvy, understand crucial software needed to perform in the digital space, and stay up-to-date with fast-paced environments

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of marketing strategies, customer journeys, and digital marketing tools.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (MBA preferred)

Experience: 10+ years of experience in marketing, with at least 5 years in a leadership role

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of scaling consumer brands and managing large budgets
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor high-caliber leaders
• Excellent strategic planning and prioritization skills
• Fluency in English (German is a plus)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the watch or fashion industry
• Familiarity with AI and data-driven marketing strategies
• Proficiency in marketing analytics tools

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in marketing, with a focus on scaling consumer brands and driving profitable growth.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €80,000 gross per year, with an attractive on-top bonus (actual wage depends on professional experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

• Big budgets and founder-level agility
• Elevate an already strong team and build careers along your own
• Own the chapter where a niche gem becomes a global icon
• Vienna HQ, hybrid freedom, outdoor team retreats
• Competitive base, performance bonus, development stipend
• Secure job, good vibes, teamwork, appreciation, and trust

Working Hours: 38.5 hours per week (full-time)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the company's size and the experience level required for this role.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail Apparel and Fashion

Company Size: 51-200 employees

Founded: 2016

Company Description:

• Holzkern is a leading D2C brand specializing in watches made of wood and stone
• The company aims to remind customers to make the most of their time and become part of their community
• Holzkern offers a unique blend of nature-inspired design and high-quality craftsmanship

Company Specialties:

• Watches
• Jewelry
• Accessories
• D2C and B2C

Company Website: www.holzkern.com/en

ASSUMPTION: Holzkern is a growing brand with a strong focus on nature-inspired design and customer experience.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Executive (CMO)

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the CEO and oversees the marketing team

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Vienna HQ, with outdoor team retreats)

Growth Opportunities:

• Elevate an already strong team and build careers along your own
• Own the chapter where a niche gem becomes a global icon
• Potential to shape the future of one of Austria's leading D2C brands

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a real impact on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Vienna HQ, with outdoor team retreats)

Office Location(s): Vienna, Austria

Geographic Context:

• Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria, with a population of over 1.9 million
• The city is known for its rich history, cultural institutions, and high quality of life
• Vienna is a major hub for the watch and fashion industries in Europe

Work Schedule: Full-time (38.5 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: Vienna offers a vibrant work environment with a strong focus on culture, arts, and innovation.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call interview with the HR department
• On-site interview with the CEO and other team members
• Final decision and job offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and team-building abilities
• Marketing expertise and industry knowledge
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in scaling consumer brands and driving profitable growth
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns and their outcomes
• Demonstrate your understanding of the watch and fashion industries and Holzkern's unique brand

ATS Keywords: Marketing strategy, consumer brand, budget management, team leadership, customer journey optimization, brand elevation, cross-functional collaboration, tech-savvy, data-driven marketing

ASSUMPTION: Holzkern's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership skills, and marketing expertise, as well as their cultural fit with the company.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Marketing analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel)
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Design and creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using marketing analytics tools, CRM software, and project management tools to streamline their workflows and improve team collaboration.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Nature-inspired design
• High-quality craftsmanship
• Customer experience
• Community building

Work Style:

• Data-driven and strategic
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and open to change
• Passionate about the brand and its mission

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Holzkern's nature-inspired design and customer experience focus?
• How do you approach building and leading high-performing teams?
• How do you stay adaptable and open to change in a fast-paced environment?

ASSUMPTION: Holzkern values candidates who are passionate about their brand, data-driven, collaborative, and adaptable to change.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team with diverse skills and backgrounds
• Balancing short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals
• Adapting to a fast-paced, ever-changing market
• Ensuring healthy contribution margins as the brand scales

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other marketing roles, this position requires a strong focus on scaling a consumer brand and driving profitable growth
• This role offers the unique opportunity to own and improve Holzkern's marketing strategy and execution
• Career progression in this role could lead to becoming a key player in shaping Holzkern's future as a global icon in the watch and fashion industries

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on Holzkern's growth and success.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a marketing campaign to launch a new product line
• Optimizing the customer journey to improve conversion rates and customer lifetime value
• Analyzing market trends and competitor activities to identify new growth opportunities

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and data-driven nature of the role, as well as the importance of staying up-to-date with market trends and competitor activities.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does Holzkern plan to maintain its unique brand identity as it grows internationally?
• What are the key priorities for the marketing team in the first 90 days?
• How does Holzkern support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the biggest challenges facing Holzkern in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Holzkern approach work-life balance and employee well-being?

ASSUMPTION: These questions help assess the company's long-term vision, priorities, and commitment to employee growth and well-being.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in scaling consumer brands and driving profitable growth
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns and their outcomes
• Demonstrate your understanding of the watch and fashion industries and Holzkern's unique brand
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.