In recent years, the role of Head of Growth has become increasingly popular in organisations across tech industries. As the name suggests, the Head of Growth is responsible for leading and executing growth initiatives within an organisation to secure long-term sustainable growth. The perfect Head of Growth with the ideal skillset for your company's needs is unique, and finding the perfect match can often take time to come by, so you need to have a clear idea of what you are looking for.
If this is all a new area to you, then read on. Our quick guide to the basics of what you should be looking for aims to clarify what to put in your Head of Growth Job Description.
What Does a Head of Growth Do?
A Head of Growth is responsible for developing and executing strategies to grow a company. They work with the marketing, sales, and product teams to identify growth opportunities and develop plans to capitalise on them. They are also responsible for tracking the progress of these growth initiatives and reporting back to the company leadership team.
What Should You Look for in a Head of Growth Candidate?
1. Your head of growth will be confident in wearing many hats.
A primary responsibility of the Head of Growth will be to drive user acquisition and engagement. They'll need to be skilled in various marketing and product management techniques and sales. They'll also need to work closely with other cross-functional teams, such as engineering, user experience teams and data science, and lead a team effectively. In addition, they'll need to be able to analyse data and user behaviour to identify areas for improvement. Those involved in growth management are critical in any growing organisation, and it's a big ask to find someone with such a broad range of skills to lead as a Head of Growth, but they are out there!
2. They will have a solid understanding of all the acquisition channels at the company's disposal.
A comprehensive knowledge of all marketing channels and social media used within your business is necessary. Whether paid, organic or earned, each has its strengths and weaknesses depending on customer persona and the typical journey they travel through when investing in the business. The most successful Heads of Growth take the time to understand all the options available and make strategic decisions about allocating resources. By taking a holistic marketing approach, they can maximise their chances of success.
3. They'll make decisions based on data.
Any good business decision starts with data. Data is the key to success, whether trying to understand your customers' wants or determining the most efficient way to run your operations. With a data-driven approach, your Head of Growth will be able to analyse your company's performance and identify areas where you can improve. They'll also be able to track the impact of their decisions and adapt their strategies accordingly. In today's competitive business environment, data is king. With a head of growth who knows how to use it effectively, you'll be well on your way to success.
4. They'll focus on sustainable strategies, not just quick wins.
While the goals of a Head of Growth may vary depending on the company, they generally focus on sustainable strategies that will lead to long-term success. So your Head of Growth shouldn't simply focus on short-term gains but will instead develop plans to help the company grow over time. To achieve this, they must deeply understand the market and how a company can grow. They must also be able to work closely with other executive team members to ensure that their plans align with the company's overall strategy. A Head of Growth can help ensure that a company can thrive in the long run by focusing on sustainable growth.
5. Your head of growth will adapt quickly.
Your Head of Growth will need to adapt quickly as market changes and customer needs are uncovered. An ability to spot new opportunities and trends and plan to take advantage of them is essential. Look for someone who shows they are open to feedback from others and prepared to make changes to their growth strategy.
6. Excellent leadership and motivational skills
Growth requires buy-in from every angle and stakeholder. Therefore you should look for someone with the ability to lead by example, motivate cross-functional teams and be the spark to start the fire when it comes to propelling company growth.
7. They'll be realistic.
You'll want an ambitious Head of Growth, as a lack of ambition can lead to stagnation, but they need to be realistic in their strategy to avoid disappointment and failure to deliver.
The best heads of growth can strike a balance between these two qualities, develop sound growth plans, and execute them effectively.
In a nutshell. 🥜
When looking for your Head of Growth, you should consider their technical skillset, experience, personality, and motivations. For the technical skillset, look for candidates with extensive experience in marketing, data analysis, and product management. Ideally, they should also have experience leading and executing growth initiatives within an organisation.
Regarding personality and motivations, it is crucial to find a candidate who is a good communicator, excellent at problem-solving, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. They should also be aligned with the company's core values and culture and be able to partner closely with all teams for full support and execution of the roadmap.
Are you looking for a Head of Growth to increase your reach & revenue? Want to understand more? Then get in touch. Our specialist growth recruitment consultants are always willing to help. We've spent 15 years in digital recruitment - we'd love to be a part of your success story.