Fractional CMO

Consult; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 248,000 - 358,000; Full time

Job summary

Overdose is a Melbourne-based fractional engagement, ideally 2–3 days per week for an initial 2–3 months, with potential for longer-term opportunities. We are seeking someone who can make an immediate impact, bringing fresh thinking and practical solutions to shape the next evolution of our marketing operations.

This role focuses on AI-native automation, operational transformation and strategic media leadership across performance channels.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience within a performance media or digital agency environment.
• Ability to assess existing operations, identify opportunities and implement practical improvements.
• Deep understanding of retail and eCommerce performance marketing, including peak trading periods.
• Proven experience implementing AI, automation and operational improvements across media teams.
• Strong technical and strategic understanding of performance media platforms (Google Ads / Meta).
• Experience developing scalable systems and processes across campaign management, planning, reporting and optimisation.
• Strong commercial acumen and client/stakeholder relationship skills.
• A collaborative leadership style with emotional intelligence and change influence.

Responsibilities

• Assess existing media operations, workflows and processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the implementation of AI-driven tools, automation and more efficient ways of working across performance media.
• Establish consistent, scalable approaches to campaign planning, execution, budget management, optimisation and reporting.
• Reduce manual processes while maintaining quality control, human oversight and accountability.
• Support the team in adopting new technologies and embedding sustainable operational improvements.
• Provide senior strategic guidance across performance media with a strong understanding of Google, Meta and other platforms.
• Work with marketing leadership to strengthen media planning, forecasting and performance delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve team effectiveness, collaboration and consistency across client accounts.
• Share expertise, challenge existing approaches constructively and develop internal capabilities.
• Manage senior client relationships and ensure commercial alignment with client objectives.

Skills

Senior leadership

AI & automation in marketing

Performance media strategy

Stakeholder management

Retail/eCommerce expertise

Tools

Google Ads

Meta Ads

Job description

Overdose is a global digital commerce agency working with some of the largest and most ambitious retail and B2B brands across Australia, New Zealand and further afield. We design, build and migrate commerce platforms, run marketing, SEO and GEO, have a scaling Data practice, and we increasingly do all of it AI-native.

We call this Complete Commerce.

This is a Melbourne-based fractional engagement, ideally 2–3 days per week for an initial 2–3 months, with potential for a longer-term opportunity.

We're looking for someone who can make an immediate impact, bringing fresh thinking, proven experience and practical solutions to help shape the next evolution of our marketing operations.

AI, Automation and Operational Transformation

• Assess existing media operations, workflows and processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the implementation of AI-driven tools, automation and more efficient ways of working across performance media.
• Establish consistent, scalable approaches to campaign planning, execution, budget management, optimisation and reporting.
• Reduce manual processes while maintaining strong quality control, human oversight and accountability.
• Support the team in adopting new technologies and embedding sustainable operational improvements.

Strategic Media Leadership

• Provide senior strategic guidance across performance media, with a strong understanding of Google, Meta and broader digital advertising platforms.
• Bring extensive retail and eCommerce experience, including the complexities of peak trading periods.
• Work alongside the existing marketing leadership team to strengthen media planning, forecasting and performance delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve team effectiveness, collaboration and consistency across client accounts.
• Share expertise, challenge existing approaches constructively and support the development of internal capabilities.

Client Relationships and Commercial Performance

• Provide senior-level strategic support across key client relationships, building trust and confidence with executive stakeholders.
• Ensure media strategies and recommendations remain commercially focused and aligned with client objectives.
• Balance innovation and automation with thoughtful, human-led client service.
• Support the team in navigating complex client challenges and identifying opportunities to improve performance.

• Extensive senior leadership experience within a performance media or digital agency environment.
• Ability to quickly assess existing operations, identify opportunities and implement practical improvements.
• Deep understanding of retail and eCommerce performance marketing, including peak trading and complex client portfolios.
• Proven experience implementing AI, automation and operational improvements across established media teams.
• Strong technical and strategic understanding of performance media platforms, particularly Google Ads and Meta.
• Experience developing scalable systems and processes across campaign management, media planning, reporting and optimisation.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing senior client and executive stakeholder relationships.
• A collaborative, confident leadership style with strong emotional intelligence and the ability to influence change.
• A people-first approach that values human expertise, accountability and exceptional client outcomes.

We work by design, not by default. A select client model means the work is deliberate, the relationships are real, and your impact is measurable.

Being AI-native is not a positioning line. It shapes how every person here delivers. You will have the tools to move fast and a team that builds with AI every day.

We are serious about people. A safe, supportive environment shapes how we work, grow and lead. Real ownership. Direct access to leadership. A team worth showing up for.

Overdose is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process.