Salary update 2024

We’ve crunched the numbers and compiled the latest base salary figures for key roles in sales, marketing and various leadership positions, for late stage digital start-ups to scaleups, with a typical headcount of 20 to 200. Scroll on for more details.

Software Sales

The latest benchmarked average base salaries, with double OTE earning target, and equity reserved mostly for Director, VP, and CRO roles.

  • Chief Revenue Officer: £150k to £175k

  • VP Sales: £120k to £150k

  • Sales Director: £100k to £120k

  • Sales Manager (Team Leader): £70k to £100k

  • Partnership Director: £85k to £110k (up to 40% bonus)

  • Partnership Manager: £60k to £75k (up to 40% bonus)

  • Account Executive (SMB): £40K - £60K

  • Account Executive (Mid-Market): £45K - £70k

  • Account Executive (Enterprise): £60k - £100k

Marketing

Marketing base salaries typically come with a bonus of 10% to 20%, and equity is mostly reserved for Director, VP or CMO roles.

  • Chief Marketing Officer: £150K to £180K 

  • VP Marketing: £110k to £130k

  • Head Marketing / Marketing Director: £85k to £100k

  • Marketing Manager: £40k to £65k

    • This also includes titles such as Content Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, Demand Generation Manager, CRM Manager & Growth Manager.

Other leadership roles

Software

  • CTO: £150K to £200K 

  • VP Engineering: £120K to £150K

Product

  • CPO: £140K to £180K

  • VP Product: £120K to £140K

Operations

  • COO: £120K to £180K 

  • Chief of Staff: £70K to £100K

HR

  • Head of People: £120K to £180K 

  • HR Lead: £70K to £100K

Summary

Salaries have dropped from the 2022 peak, with the range we provide above mostly offered at the lower end due to more candidates available than live jobs.

Although, this is changing - with increased hiring in Q2, continuing through Q3 and is forecasted to keep increasing in Q4.

The AI sector boom should continue in 2025 to help create more new jobs. Even though the tabloids report that AI will ‘be taking our jobs’ (and yes, some will be eliminated) but more jobs will in fact be created to fuel its expansion.

Currently, the sectors in hiring mode are AI, Fintech, Payments, Crypto, Blockchain, Cyber, SaaS, Software for Government.

The most requested level of experience for Sales and Marketing in 2024 is 3 to 6 years, pointing towards hiring a more early career workforce, and reserving the more experienced hires for Part Time or Interim basis, with less Leadership open roles. This should change in 2025.

For Sales roles, it's worth noting a premium is being asked by candidates who have to attend the office 4 or 5 days a week to cover travel costs.

DM Ellis on LinkedIn for salary data on other functions, including Software, Product, Ops and HR, or email ell@santamonica.digital.

Let’s talk! 

If you’re interested in discussing salaries or want any help in benchmarking in more detail and full confidence, feel free to drop me a line:

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