AI is now on every shortlist: what London’s marketing and technology leaders told us
At our recent networking event, which took place at The Delaunay, London, we brought together senior marketing, digital and technology leaders from across London’s FTSE 350, PE-backed and high-growth businesses. The question at the heart of the conversation was a simple one: do senior marketing leaders now need AI experience to make the shortlist?
The short answer, from what we’re hearing from clients and from the room, is yes.
What’s changed on senior shortlists?
A couple of years ago, AI was a specialism. It belonged to data and technology roles, and everyone else could treat it as a nice-to-have. That’s no longer the case. Today, CMOs, Marketing Directors, Heads of Growth and Digital Directors are all being assessed on how they think about and use AI.
As Suzie, MD & Founder, puts it: “A couple of years ago, AI was a conversation for data and technology hires. Now it comes up on almost every senior shortlist we work on, whether the role is a CMO, a Marketing Director, a Head of Growth or a Digital Director. Clients aren’t looking for AI specialists. They want leaders who understand what it can do for the business and are already using it themselves.”
It’s also not a box-ticking exercise. As our own interim work shows, marketing leaders who can assess AI readiness “are becoming the most requested profile on our interim bench”.
What do clients actually mean by “AI capability”?
When clients raise AI in a brief or at interview, they tend to mean three things:
Using the tools now. Clients want leaders who are already experimenting hands-on, not just talking about it.
Curiosity about what’s next. The tools change quickly, so a habit of learning matters more than any one platform.
A strategic view. The most valued leaders are excited about using AI to drive growth and efficiency, not just to automate tasks. As we say in our own approach, AI is a leadership capability.
What does this mean if you’re a senior leader?
Show use, not just interest. On your CV and LinkedIn profile, name the tools or workflows you’ve used and what changed as a result, such as faster campaign testing or better insight into customers.
Bring evidence to interview. Have one or two concrete examples ready: what you tried, what you learned, and how it affected growth or efficiency.
Stay curious in public. Share what you’re testing and learning (ideally on LinkedIn – hiring managers/future employers notice).
For more info on presenting yourself well, see The Successful Candidate.
What does this mean if you’re hiring?
Write the brief around how AI will be used in the role, rather than listing “AI experience” as a generic requirement. It helps you assess candidates on substance, and it helps strong candidates see what the commercial opportunity is that AI will be used for.
Join us at our next London event
We host regular in-person events for London’s senior marketing, digital and technology community. Recent guests said:
“Thank you for hosting the breakfast & giving such a clear update of the marketing and technology industry at the present, very much appreciated and a great conversation that followed!”
" I appreciated the insights you offered on the state of market, and the growth imperative."
It was great to meet you and a diverse group of fellow marketeers. The discussions were very interesting."
Our events are invite-only and thoughtfully curated, bringing together a carefully selected group of senior leaders. If you’re interested in attending a future event, please register as a candidate, or update your details if you’re already registered, and we’ll be sure to invite you to the next relevant event.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a specialist headhunting firm dedicated to finding exceptional interim and permanent senior marketing, digital, and technology leaders for both B2C and B2B organisations. We partner with FTSE 350 and private equity–backed companies, recruiting for roles at Head, Director and Chief (C-suite) level.
If you’re ready to make your next move, we regularly post new opportunities on our LinkedIn company page. If you apply for a role on the platform, it requires a 1st connection for us to respond, so please make sure to connect with Suzie Walker. Our company page is also frequently updated with the latest hiring news, expert interviews, and candidate guidance, so well worth following.
