Credit: Jess Bailey via Unsplash
Junior to mid-level hiring is leading a recovery in marketing jobs, according to recruiter iknowho’s annual Salary & Market Insights Guide.
Employers remain cost conscious but are becoming more strategic, focusing on key capability gaps and future-proofing teams.
The recruiter said it is now seeing the signs of renewed momentum across the marketing industry, after a year marked by restructures, redundancies and reduced hiring activity.
Other data shows increased demand for senior digital marketers, activation managers and senior brand managers but an overall drop in the number of roles.
The knowho annual Salary & Market Insights Guide.said confidence is still building but conversations around growth, investment in talent and new role creation are beginning to resurface.
Salary growth has been modest over the past 12 months, with nearly 50% of marketers receiving no pay rise at all.
Even when changing roles, almost three-quarters (74%) of respondents said they received no increase. Bonuses were also less common, with 60% of respondents receiving no bonus.
“Clients are hiring with more clarity, seeking hands-on, commercially savvy, and adaptable marketers. It’s less reactive now, and more considered,” said Sheryn Small, lead talent partner.
“We’re seeing more job stability in some areas vs last year - particularly across junior to mid-level agency roles.”
A considered approach to hiring, coupled with more candidates actively on the market has lead to longer interview processes.
iknowho reports an extra six days on average and frustrations clear among marketers.
“Candidate frustration remains high, driven by limited opportunities and a lack of feedback,” said Bec Godkin, lead talent partner.
“Many are applying to multiple roles without progressing to interviews or receiving meaningful responses. Applicant fatigue is setting in.”
Salary is a top priority when considering a new role but the recruiters are seeing a shift in how both employers and candidates are approaching discussions.
Marketers are weighing up flexibility, job security, growth pathways and meaningful benefits as part of the overall value proposition.
Three quarters would likely turn down a role without flexible working.
While hybrid arrangements are now the norm with 82% of respondents currently receiving flexible working benefits and most expected to be in-office two to four days a week.
“There’s less resistance to office days now, especially when there’s a clear purpose – like culture or collaboration,” said Small.
“The best hybrid setups are team-led, not blanket rules.”
The guide combines insights from more than 200 marketers via the annual iknowho Marketers Survey, alongside hundreds of interviews conducted by consultants over the last year
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