Digital marketing has moved from a supporting function to a core commercial driver in automotive retail. The journey a customer makes before setting foot in a dealership or clicking to enquire is almost entirely digital, and the businesses that manage that journey most effectively win the most enquiries, at the lowest cost per lead, with the highest conversion rates.
The Digital Marketing Executive in an automotive business is responsible for planning and executing the digital activity that generates and nurtures that customer journey. From search engine optimisation and paid search management through to social media content, email campaigns, display advertising and performance reporting, the role demands both strategic and executional capability across channels that move quickly and reward accuracy.
Venatu recruits Digital Marketing Executives for permanent and contract roles across franchised car and commercial vehicle dealerships, multi-site dealer groups, automotive OEMs and manufacturer networks, aftermarket businesses, automotive media companies and automotive technology businesses throughout the UK. This role sits within our car dealership and operational support recruitment divisions.
Who We Recruit For
We place candidates with:
- Franchised car and commercial vehicle dealerships and multi-site dealer groups
- Manufacturer and OEM marketing and customer acquisition teams
- Automotive aftermarket parts, accessories and service chain businesses
- Online used car retail platforms and automotive marketplace operators
- Automotive fleet and leasing businesses with B2B digital acquisition functions
- Automotive media, publishing and data businesses
- Automotive technology, telematics and fleet software companies
- Motor finance and insurance businesses serving the automotive sector
Roles We Place
- Digital Marketing Executive
- Automotive Digital Marketing Executive
- SEO Executive (Automotive)
- PPC Executive (Automotive)
- Social Media Marketing Executive (Automotive)
- Email Marketing Executive (Automotive)
- Performance Marketing Executive (Automotive)
- Content Marketing Executive (Automotive)
- Senior Digital Marketing Executive (Automotive)
- Digital Marketing Manager (Automotive)
Who Can Apply
Strong Digital Marketing Executive candidates in automotive typically come from:
- Experienced Digital Marketing Executives at dealerships, dealer groups or automotive businesses who want to move to a new employer, a broader multi-channel role or an improved package
- Digital marketing professionals from retail, e-commerce or financial services who want to apply their channel expertise in an automotive context and are willing to invest in understanding the specific dynamics of automotive consumer and fleet customer acquisition
- Agency-side digital marketers with automotive clients who want to move in-house and own the performance, reporting and strategy for a single brand or group
- Business Development Executives or Customer Retention Executives at dealerships who have developed strong digital communication and CRM skills and want to broaden into a dedicated marketing role
- Marketing graduates with demonstrable hands-on channel experience, a working knowledge of automotive consumer behaviour and proficiency with performance analytics platforms
- Brand Managers or automotive marketing coordinators who want to specialise in and deepen their digital channel expertise
Proficiency in Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, Google Analytics and at least one email marketing platform is expected for most roles. SEO-specific roles require demonstrable on-page, technical and off-page SEO capability. CRM integration experience with automotive DMS platforms is valued in dealership and dealer group environments. Venatu confirms the specific channel and platform requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.
Digital Marketing Executive Salary Guide
| Role | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Digital Marketing Executive (Entry) | £24,000 - £30,000 |
| Digital Marketing Executive (Experienced) | £28,000 - £38,000 |
| Senior Digital Marketing Executive | £36,000 - £46,000 |
| Digital Marketing Manager (Automotive) | £42,000 - £56,000 |
| Head of Digital / Performance Marketing (Automotive) | £52,000 - £70,000 |
Salaries reflect channel specialism, the complexity of the employer's digital estate and whether the role carries budget management responsibility. Dealer group roles with multi-site digital asset management and substantial paid media budgets typically pay towards the higher end of each band. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on automotive marketing and commercial role remuneration.
What the Role Involves
Responsibilities vary by employer size and digital maturity but typically include:
- Planning and executing SEO activity including on-page optimisation, technical SEO auditing, content development and link building to improve organic visibility for vehicle, service and brand-related search terms
- Managing paid search campaigns across Google Ads and Bing Ads, including keyword strategy, ad copy, bidding management, quality score optimisation and budget pacing against agreed cost-per-lead targets
- Managing social media advertising across Meta, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok including audience targeting, creative briefing, A/B testing and performance reporting
- Planning and deploying email marketing campaigns for service and finance reminders, new model launches, aftersales promotions and conquest or retention campaigns using the employer's CRM or email platform
- Managing the dealership or group website's digital presence including landing page performance, inventory feed accuracy, manufacturer microsite integrations and SEO technical health
- Pulling, interpreting and presenting digital performance data from Google Analytics, advertising platforms and the DMS, providing weekly and monthly reporting to the Marketing Manager or Dealer Principal
- Coordinating with manufacturer co-op marketing programmes, dealer marketing groups and approved supplier networks to maximise funded digital activity
- Managing relationships with digital agency and platform partners where the employer uses external specialist support
- Keeping current with platform algorithm changes, automotive digital marketing best practice and evolving consumer search and social behaviour in the vehicle-buying cycle
How the Process Works
For employers:
- Submit a vacancy with the digital channels in scope, budget management responsibility, platforms used and any manufacturer co-op or dealer group marketing frameworks relevant to the role.
- We confirm candidate availability and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
- Candidates are assessed for channel proficiency, automotive sector understanding and performance marketing track record.
- Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.
For candidates:
- Register your CV with your channel experience, platforms used, any automotive sector background and examples of campaign performance managed.
- A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
- Roles are matched to your channel specialism, preferred employer type and geography.
- Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.
Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.
FAQ
What does a Digital Marketing Executive do in an automotive business? A Digital Marketing Executive plans and executes the digital marketing activity that drives customer enquiries, brand awareness and commercial performance for an automotive business. This includes managing SEO, paid search and social media advertising, deploying email campaigns, managing the digital presence of the business's website and inventory, and reporting performance against cost-per-lead, conversion and return-on-spend targets.
Do I need automotive experience to become a Digital Marketing Executive in the sector? Direct automotive experience is valued but candidates from retail, e-commerce or financial services digital marketing backgrounds transition well, particularly those with experience managing Google Ads budgets, SEO programmes or performance-driven email campaigns. An understanding of how automotive consumers research and buy vehicles online accelerates the transition. Venatu identifies employers willing to develop strong digital marketers who are new to the automotive sector.
What platforms does a Digital Marketing Executive in automotive need to know? Core platforms include Google Ads, Meta Business Suite, Google Analytics, Google Search Console and at least one email marketing or CRM platform. Automotive-specific knowledge of inventory feed management, manufacturer co-op portal systems and DMS CRM integration is valuable in dealership environments. Venatu confirms the specific platform requirements for each role with the employer before presenting candidates.
What does a Digital Marketing Executive earn in the automotive sector? Experienced Digital Marketing Executives typically earn between £28,000 and £38,000. Senior executives and marketing managers earn between £36,000 and £56,000. Head of Digital roles at dealer groups or automotive businesses can reach £70,000 or more. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search.
What is the progression from Digital Marketing Executive in automotive? Common progression routes include Senior Digital Marketing Executive, Digital Marketing Manager, Head of Digital, Head of Marketing and Marketing Director. In dealer groups there are also routes into Group Marketing Manager and Brand Director positions. Read about how automotive retail is evolving digitally in The Evolution Of Automobiles.
Register or Enquire
Candidates - Register your CV with your channel experience, platforms managed and any automotive sector background. Venatu will match you to current Digital Marketing Executive vacancies across dealerships, dealer groups and automotive businesses, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.
Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your digital marketing requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.