The Stepstone Group, a leading recruitment platform, is seeking a Head of Sales Marketing for the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). The newly created role, based in Düsseldorf with potential for remote work, reflects the company’s ongoing investment in strengthening its business-to-business (B2B) marketing capabilities.
The position will oversee a team of seven Sales Marketing Managers located in Düsseldorf and Vienna. The successful candidate will be responsible for both the strategic development and day-to-day operations of all sales-aligned marketing activities, supporting the company’s Small and Medium-sized Business (SMB), Enterprise, and Reseller business lines. This focus on integrated sales and marketing alignment is a key trend in the technology sector, as companies seek to maximize return on investment from marketing spend and drive measurable revenue growth.
According to the job description, the role requires close collaboration with the company’s go-to-market organization, particularly the sales and service teams. The aim is to ensure these teams are equipped with the necessary resources – including messaging, sales pitches, and collateral – to effectively position and sell Stepstone’s products and services throughout the customer journey. This emphasis on enablement highlights the growing importance of equipping sales teams with targeted marketing materials and insights.
The Head of Sales Marketing will also have end-to-end responsibility for selected marketing initiatives across the entire sales funnel. A core focus will be on effective demand and lead generation, with a consistent emphasis on demonstrating measurable business impact. This aligns with broader industry trends towards accountability in marketing, where marketers are increasingly expected to demonstrate a direct link between their activities and revenue generation.
Stepstone Group has been operating in the recruitment market since 1995 and currently serves approximately 130,000 employers. The company reports handling over 600,000 active job listings in 2024 and facilitating around 140 million applications. The company’s business model centers around AI-driven job marketplaces and programmatic recruitment marketing solutions, aiming to connect employers with a diverse pool of talent. The company employs around 3,000 people worldwide.
The appointment of a dedicated Head of Sales Marketing for the DACH region suggests Stepstone is prioritizing growth in this key European market. The DACH region is known for its strong economies, highly skilled workforce, and sophisticated business environment, making it an attractive target for companies in the recruitment technology sector. The region’s regulatory landscape and cultural nuances also necessitate a dedicated marketing leader with local expertise.
The leadership structure within the Sales Marketing team is also evolving. Alexandra Schmengler currently holds the position of Interims Team Lead Sales Marketing at The Stepstone Group, based in Düsseldorf. Her role suggests a period of transition and potential restructuring within the department, paving the way for the incoming Head of Sales Marketing to implement their strategic vision.
The Stepstone Group’s broader strategy focuses on leveraging technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to improve the matching of candidates and employers. The company’s AI-powered products are central to its global operations, and the new Head of Sales Marketing will likely play a role in communicating the value proposition of these technologies to potential clients. The company’s stated mission is to find the “right job for everyone,” reflecting a commitment to both candidate satisfaction and employer success.
The demand for skilled marketing professionals with experience in B2B technology marketing remains high. The ability to demonstrate a track record of driving measurable results, aligning marketing efforts with sales objectives, and leading high-performing teams will be crucial for candidates vying for this position. The role’s emphasis on the entire sales funnel – from demand generation to conversion – suggests a need for a versatile marketer with a strong understanding of both digital and traditional marketing techniques.
The Stepstone Group’s investment in its Sales Marketing function underscores the growing recognition of marketing’s critical role in driving revenue growth and achieving business objectives. As the competitive landscape in the recruitment technology sector intensifies, companies are increasingly focused on optimizing their marketing strategies and ensuring they are effectively reaching their target audiences.
