eCommerce Executive Search
Discreet, retained headhunting for the senior eCommerce and digital leaders who define strategy and drive online growth.
What is eCommerce executive search?
eCommerce executive search is a retained, proactive headhunting service for senior eCommerce leadership, from Head of eCommerce and eCommerce Director through to VP and C-suite roles. Most senior eCommerce leaders are not on job boards. The people who have genuinely owned a trading P&L, built a team and delivered consistent online revenue growth are usually in post, performing, and open only to the right approach. eCommerce executive search exists to reach exactly those people.
As a specialist UK eCommerce recruitment agency and a proud member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, Elite X Recruit runs confidential, retained searches that protect both your business and the candidate throughout.
- Retained, search-led hiring for senior roles
- Shortlist typically within 7 working days
- Discreet approach to passive candidates
- UK-wide reach, up to C-suite level
Retained search vs contingency
Retained executive search
An exclusive, committed search for a defined leadership role, with dedicated headhunting resource and a structured, multi-stage process. The right model for senior and confidential hires.
Confidential replacement
Replace an underperforming leader without alerting the market or the incumbent. We run the search quietly, protecting your brand and your team throughout.
Board and C-suite
Chief Digital Officer, VP of eCommerce and General Manager appointments where discretion, judgement and a proven track record matter most.
Market intelligence
Every search includes honest benchmarking on availability, salary and competitor movement, so you brief the role against reality, not guesswork.
Leadership roles we place
We recruit senior talent across the full eCommerce org chart, including Head of eCommerce, eCommerce Director, VP of eCommerce, Chief Digital Officer, Head of Trading, Head of Performance Marketing and Head of eCommerce Technology. For pay context on these roles, see our UK eCommerce Salary Guide 2026 and our Head of eCommerce salary benchmarks. For senior technical leadership, our Adobe Commerce recruitment covers architects and engineering leads.
Our search process
Deep-dive brief
We start with your business, culture and the commercial need behind the role. No generic briefing forms.
Market mapping
We map the market for who is the right fit, not just who is looking, across our UK eCommerce network.
Discreet approach and assessment
We approach and qualify leaders confidentially, assessing commercial track record as well as cultural fit.
Refined shortlist
You receive a shortlist of pre-qualified, interview-ready leaders, typically within 7 working days of the brief.
Offer and onboarding
We manage the offer, navigate counter-offers, and stay engaged through the start date and beyond.
Why Elite X for eCommerce executive search
Specialists, not generalists
We go deep in one sector. When you brief us, we already know the landscape, the talent pools and the benchmarks.
Genuine discretion
Your search and the candidate's details are never shared without explicit consent. We protect the process completely.
Technical and commercial fluency
From trading and CRO to Shopify and Adobe Commerce, we understand the mechanics of online growth.
UK-wide reach
From London pure-play retailers to multichannel brands in Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, our network spans the country.
eCommerce executive search FAQs
What is eCommerce executive search?+
eCommerce executive search is a retained, proactive headhunting service for senior eCommerce and digital leadership roles. Instead of advertising and waiting, the recruiter maps the market, approaches proven leaders directly and manages the process discreetly, which is how the strongest passive candidates are reached.
What is the difference between retained search and contingency recruitment?+
Retained eCommerce search involves an upfront commitment so the recruiter dedicates exclusive resource to a role, which suits senior and hard-to-fill positions. Contingency recruitment is paid only on placement and better suits more readily available roles. Executive and leadership hires are almost always run on a retained basis.
How long does an eCommerce executive search take?+
We typically deliver a qualified shortlist within 7 working days of taking a brief. Total time to hire depends on your interview process, though most senior placements complete within 4 to 6 weeks. Director and C-suite searches can run slightly longer given the discreet approach they require.
How much does eCommerce executive search cost?+
Retained executive search is usually charged as a percentage of the first-year package, split across a staged structure tied to milestones such as launch, shortlist and placement. The exact fee depends on the seniority and complexity of the role. We agree it transparently before any work begins.
Which eCommerce leadership roles do you recruit for?+
We recruit Head of eCommerce, eCommerce Director, VP of eCommerce, Chief Digital Officer, Head of Trading, Head of Performance Marketing and senior technology leaders, across pure-play, multichannel, marketplace and DTC businesses throughout the UK.
Do you recruit eCommerce leaders outside London?+
Yes. We place eCommerce leadership talent across the whole of the UK, from London pure-play retailers to multichannel and DTC brands in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol and beyond, including remote and hybrid leadership roles.
How do you keep an executive search confidential?+
We run searches on a strictly consent-led basis. Candidate details are never shared without explicit permission, and for sensitive or replacement hires we can approach the market without naming your business until the right stage, protecting both your brand and the incumbent.
Ready to start a confidential search?
Tell us about the leadership role you need to fill. We will benchmark it against the market and map the talent, discreetly.
Talk to Elite X Recruit