Interim stars – a spotlight on Julie Davidson, CMO, Consultant and Advisor
With a rapid increase in interim roles for senior marketing and digital leaders, we thought it would be helpful for clients to read more about the benefits from our interim stars themselves.
About Julie
Julie Davidson is an expert in leading effective marketing and digital transformation. She is a FTSE 100/Fortune 500 CMO and board executive with more than 30 years’ experience driving change and growth for global omni-channel retail, DTC and FMCG organisations. Described as knowing, ‘how to handle complex transformational programmes, taking into account both the short/medium term priorities and the long-term ambitions, putting the customers at the centre, elevating the brand, empowering her team to be autonomous yet supported and collaborating with colleagues across other departments for the best outcome.’
Julie, please tell us a little about your career and specialisms...
I am a Board-level CMO with expertise across omni-channel retail, FMCG and e-commerce organisations. My sector experience covers food and drink (Cadbury, Jordans Dorset Ryvita, General Mills), Health and Beauty (L'Oreal, Boots, Weight Watchers), Fashion (Levi Strauss), Travel (lastminute.com), Financial services (Experian, abrdn) and professional services (LBS).
Alongside my roles with listed companies, my career also includes consultancy and fractional work for SMEs and start-ups across travel, dating apps, health tech and professional services.
My key specialisms are leading transformation and growth marketing strategy including; building successful brands, optimising effective full funnel marketing acquisition, driving digital customer experience and lifetime value as well as defining and leading high performing marketing organisations.
How long have you been working in interim roles and why did you decide to move in that direction?
Over the last 10 years my career has included both interim and fractional CMO, consultancy and permanent roles. My focus throughout has been on helping organisations to drive transformation (marketing, digital and brand) at pace and with cultural sensitivity. I thrive on bringing the breadth of my multi-sector and business model expertise to bear in helping organisations to define and deliver the right change.
What would you say are the top three benefits for clients when utilising interim senior leaders?
1. A flexible way to access senior/expert resource with a single-minded focus on delivering the agenda.
2. Senior interim execs are experts in getting underneath the skin of what is and isn't working within an organisation and building strategic recommendations at pace.
3. Interims bring a wealth of expertise in leading change agendas and managing stakeholder engagement from other organisations and sectors.
And, how does this way of working benefit you, both professionally and personally?
I am continuously leveraging the breadth of my experience while at the same time continuing to learn myself, by working with different organisations and business models. Working in this way also introduces me to fabulous new business leaders and continues to expand my network.
How do you see interim roles growing over the next few years?
I see the role of both interim and fractional roles continuing to grow in importance given the pace of change in business. Within Marketing and Customer functions this is exacerbated by the increasing complexity inherent in many Marketing organisations.
And, finally, what would be your top tip for anyone considering a move from permanent to interim roles?
Be clear on what your value proposition is, i.e., what you uniquely offer.
I would also ask yourself if you will thrive on the uncertainty/fluidity of an Interim career.
Thank you to Julie for providing an overview for those considering working with/as senior interim marketing and digital leaders.
If you’re hiring for interim roles, or feel ready to try interim yourself, get in touch to see how we can help you or connect with Suzie and Kaylynn to send a message on LinkedIn.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for B2C and B2B marketing and digital/tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
