November 2025
Recruiting a CRO? What Top Companies Are Looking For
The Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) role has evolved from a nice-to-have to one of the most critical hires for scaling companies. In 2025, more UK businesses are appointing CROs than ever before and they’re doing it earlier.According to LinkedIn Talent Insights, the number of companies with a UK-based CRO has risen by nearly 70% since 2023, signalling just how crucial this leadership role has become for aligning commercial strategy, accelerating ARR growth, and preparing for investment or acquisition. So, what exactly are top companies looking for when hiring a CRO in 2025?Proven Growth Leadership, Not Just Sales Success.A CRO’s remit goes far beyond hitting sales targets. The best leaders build the commercial infrastructure for long-term growth, bringing together sales, marketing, customer success, and partnerships under one unified strategy. Companies are prioritising CROs who have taken a business from their current stage to 2-3X growth, rather than those who’ve only maintained success. A “builder” mindset, someone who thrives on designing new processes, teams, and markets, is in high demand. In other words, the CRO hire isn’t about quick wins. It’s about scalable, sustainable revenue leadership.Hybrid Commercial ExpertiseIn 2025, the days of the single-discipline sales leader stepping into a CRO seat are fading. Recent research shows that 78% of top-performing CROs have hybrid commercial backgrounds, with experience spanning multiple functions, often sales, marketing, and customer success.Companies want leaders who can translate data into strategy, align departments that traditionally work in silos, and understand the full customer journey from acquisition to retention. The result? Greater cohesion, improved forecasting accuracy, and a stronger revenue engine overall.Market-Specific Knowledge and NetworksAs businesses expand internationally or enter new verticals, they’re looking for CROs who can cut ramp time through deep market knowledge. CROs with existing industry connections, proven experience in target markets, and familiarity with investor-backed environments are particularly attractive. For example, a CRO who’s led growth in a similar Series B SaaS company will often hit the ground running faster than one from an unrelated sector.The right network can open doors to partnerships, investors, and enterprise clients, accelerating commercial success far beyond what a traditional sales leader might achieve.Strategic Influence and AutonomyToday’s CROs expect to have a seat at the table. Top candidates are motivated by direct reporting lines to the CEO, involvement in board-level decisions, and the freedom to shape strategy, budgets, and team structure. In other words, they’re not just executing the commercial plan, they’re writing it. For companies serious about attracting elite CRO talent, this means creating space for strategic ownership rather than micromanaged performance.The Right Package and Long-Term VisionCompensation expectations have continued to rise alongside the role’s importance. In the UK, CROs now command base salaries between £150,000 and £220,000, with double OTE and equity common at high-growth firms.But beyond the package, longevity matters. While the average CRO tenure is 2-3 years, businesses that map out a clear progression path, for instance, succession into a Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO) role, are seeing leaders stay longer and deliver more sustained results.Alignment with Modern Working ModelsHybrid remains the preferred setup for CROs in 2025. The role thrives on collaboration across sales, marketing, and customer success, functions that benefit from physical proximity. However, remote CROs can succeed if they’re experienced in leading distributed teams and the company’s decision-making structure supports asynchronous leadership. Companies recruiting internationally are increasingly open to this flexibility, recognising that the best CROs may not always be on their doorstep.The Competitive Edge in CRO RecruitmentAs the market for revenue leaders becomes increasingly competitive, companies that understand what top CROs value will win the best talent. It’s no longer just about finding a strong salesperson, it’s about identifying a growth strategist who can unify every commercial touchpoint.At Arius Recruit, we specialise in connecting high-growth businesses with proven CRO talent, leaders who don’t just manage revenue, but redefine it.
