Consumer · Head of E-commerce
Head of E-commerce recruitment.
Retained Head of E-commerce and Digital Director search for consumer brands and retail groups.
What the role is
A short definition.
A Head of E-commerce or Digital Director leads the online direct-to-consumer channel — trading, merchandising, digital marketing, technology stack, and cross-functional coordination with brand, product and operations. In DTC-first businesses this role is central; in omnichannel businesses it sits alongside the retail and wholesale leadership.
Core responsibilities
What we assess candidates against.
- Online trading — commercial performance of the channel
- Digital merchandising and site experience
- Digital marketing (paid, organic, CRM) in coordination with the marketing function
- Technology stack — platform, checkout, personalisation, analytics
- Cross-functional coordination with brand, product, retail and operations
- Team leadership across trading, merchandising, digital marketing and tech
When to run this search
Typical triggers.
On the transition from an outsourced or founder-led e-commerce function to a professionally-led one; on a platform replatform; when e-commerce is being repositioned as strategic; ahead of international expansion; on the departure of an incumbent.
How we search
The specific approach we take.
Retained. Candidate pools include sitting Heads of E-commerce at comparable brands, senior trading directors from omnichannel retailers, and digital-native operators from PE-backed DTC businesses. Every mandate is led by a partner with e-commerce sector fluency.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Head of E-commerce and Digital Director?
Head of E-commerce is typically the online channel P&L owner; Digital Director is often broader, spanning digital marketing, product and technology. We calibrate against client usage.
Can you support Chief Digital Officer or Chief Digital & Data Officer searches?
Yes. These sit within our Technology sector practice where they are broader than an e-commerce role, or here in Consumer & Retail where they are channel-focused.
How do you handle candidates from replatformed or scaled DTC businesses?
DTC operators who have taken a business through Shopify Plus → BigCommerce → custom platform migrations are a specific and valuable candidate pool. We assess for the specific transition experience the client requires.
How long does a Head of E-commerce search take?
Ten to fourteen weeks brief to accepted offer is typical.
How is compensation structured?
Base, cash bonus tied to online trading metrics, and equity or LTIP participation particularly in growth-stage businesses.
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