Article
Why Strategy Still Matters: What Senior Marketers Need to Succeed in 2026
(...and Why Businesses Can’t Afford to Ignore It)
At New Chapter Talent, we speak with senior marketers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the wider Australian and New Zealand market every day—and there’s one sentence we’re hearing more and more:
👉 “We don’t need strategy – we just need you to do.”
It’s a line far too many senior marketers are being told… and it should concern every business leader.
Somewhere along the way, strategy became “optional” in certain organisations—replaced by rapid execution, fast-turnaround activity, and an obsession with output over meaningful outcomes. And while action is essential, a do-first, think-later culture is causing real issues inside marketing teams.
As a marketing recruitment agency deeply connected to what candidates and clients are experiencing, we can say with confidence:
- This mindset isn’t just a marketing problem. It’s a business problem.
Execution Without Strategy Isn’t Marketing – It’s Chaos
Senior marketers are not hired simply to “do more”.
They’re hired to:
- ✅ Think critically
- ✅ Challenge assumptions
- ✅ Influence direction
- ✅ Shape brand and customer strategy
- ✅ Build clarity in environments that desperately need it
When organisations minimise strategic thinking, we see the same patterns emerge:
- ❌ Marketing becomes a service desk rather than a strategic partner
- ❌ Teams are reactive instead of empowered
- ❌ Long-term brand building disappears
- ❌ Capability stalls
- ❌ Burnout skyrockets
- ❌ Businesses mistake “activity” for “progress”
As marketing recruiters, we hear the consequences firsthand—from frustrated CMOs to disheartened mid-level marketers unsure how they’re meant to grow when the only goal is to “do more, faster”.
Why Strategy Is the Anchor for High-Impact Marketing
The best CMOs and marketing leaders we work with are aligned on one core belief:
👉 Strong strategic thinking is not optional. It’s the anchor that makes execution meaningful.
Great marketers know that strategy:
- Aligns the business
- Accelerates execution by giving it direction
- Reduces the costly “do–undo–redo” cycle
- Builds a brand that can withstand shifting markets
- Creates clarity and confidence across teams
Put simply:
- You can keep doing endlessly. But you only grow with strategy.
What This Means for Employers Hiring Marketing Talent
If you’re a business leader looking to hire marketing talent—whether in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or anywhere in Australia—this is the moment to take stock.
If you want genuine impact in 2026 and beyond, ask yourself:
- Are you hiring senior marketers but only giving them tasks, not influence?
- Does your team have the bandwidth to think, plan and lead?
- Are you expecting long-term growth from short-term activity?
Great marketing recruitment isn’t just about placing strong talent—it’s about ensuring that talent is empowered to succeed.
What This Means for Marketers Looking for Their Next Role
If you're a marketer exploring new opportunities, remember:
- A business that undervalues strategy will also undervalue your expertise.
When interviewing, consider asking:
- “How does marketing influence business direction here?”
- “What proportion of this role is strategic vs. executional?”
- “How do you define meaningful success?”
These questions don’t just show your capability—they protect your career growth.
Final Thoughts: Strategy Isn’t a Luxury. It’s a Non-Negotiable.
Next time someone says:
👉 “We don’t need strategy – we just need you to do,”
Remember:
- Execution without strategy is motion without progress.
Businesses that create space for strategic thinking will be the ones that innovate, build stronger brands, and attract the best marketing talent in Australia.
And as a specialist marketing recruitment agency, we see it every day—the companies that value strategic marketers are the ones that win.
If your business is looking to hire exceptional marketing talent—or if you're a marketer ready for your next strategic role—New Chapter Talent is here to help.
Want to talk? Reach out anytime.
Contact Lucy
✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au
📞 +61 416 153 144
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭
𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫
Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities, follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn.
New Chapter Talent – Your specialist partner in:
Marketing Jobs | Digital Marketing Jobs | eCommerce Jobs | CRM Jobs | CX Jobs | Product Jobs | Brand Jobs | Creative Jobs | Communications Jobs | Category Jobs | Executive Marketing Roles
share this
Related Articles
Related Articles
STAY UP TO DATE
Get the latest
Receive regular updates from New Chapter Talent.
