Gybe Fortnight: SEEK says one thing, here's what we're seeing on the ground

Welcome to this edition of Gybe Fortnight - our round-up of what's moving in the marketing, digital and sales market, the roles and talent we're working with, and the headlines worth your attention.

Market overview

We're noticing a meaningful shift in the conversations we're having. They're less about what roles are out there and more about helping marketers articulate their career story. In this more selective hiring environment, how you explain the thinking behind each move matters just as much as where you've been.

Insight of the fortnight: SEEK says one thing, here's what we're seeing on the ground

We get asked about the market a lot, so here's what the data says and what we're actually seeing. SEEK's latest figures point to relative stability after two fairly volatile years. Queensland job ads are running flat, and applications per role remain well above historical norms. Businesses are still hiring, but they're doing it with more care. The result is a more competitive field for candidates than 18 months ago.

Four things we're seeing for Brisbane marketers:

• Quality over quantity. Employers are spending more time defining what success looks like before they recruit. They're prioritising marketers who can demonstrate commercial thinking, adaptability and a clear record of impact, rather than those who simply tick the most boxes.
• Versatility as currency. The most sought-after candidates move fluidly between strategy and execution, combining creativity with analytics, brand with performance, and customer understanding with commercial judgement. Pure specialism in a silo is increasingly hard to place.
• AI is raising the bar, not replacing the role. Despite the noise around AI, demand for strong marketers remains real. Expectations have simply shifted upward. AI handles the production speed, but employers want people who can think analytically, influence stakeholders, solve problems and exercise sound commercial judgement.
• Sentiment is steady, not booming. The conversations we're having in Brisbane reflect steady confidence rather than excitement. More professionals are passively monitoring the market rather than actively looking. Security, room to grow and quality of leadership matter more than chasing the highest number.

The bottom line: keep your LinkedIn and CV current, keep building your network, and know your market position before you need it. In a stable rather than spectacular market, being ready is what creates opportunity.

Gybe jobs in market

• Head of Marketing | Founder-led B2B advisory | Permanent, hybrid Brisbane - lead the growth phase for an accomplished founder-led business. Own marketing strategy, CRM, content, reporting, analytics and commercial performance, working directly with the founder to build a scalable marketing function with real organisational influence.
• Online Trading Manager | Omni-channel retail | Permanent, 1 day WFH - drive daily trading performance for a major Australian retailer's eCommerce operation. Grow online revenue, improve conversion, lead a strong team, and play a meaningful role in ongoing digital transformation.

Other roles worth knowing about right now:

• Karma - Chief Marketing Officer, leading brand, digital and eCommerce growth for a growing Australian mobility company.
• Hive & Wellness - Senior Brand & Social Media Manager, shaping the future of iconic FMCG brand Capilano across social, creator partnerships and brand strategy.

Interview question of the fortnight

"Looking back over your career, which decision seemed like a step backwards at the time but turned out to be one of the best decisions you made?"

Talent worth knowing

• Digital Marketing Specialist | $90k + super | immediate, perm or contract - experienced across higher education, events and membership organisations including Griffith University, RACQ and Queensland Music Festival. Hands-on across social strategy, content, CRM, paid media and stakeholder communications.
• Growth Marketing & CRO Lead | $120k + super | immediate, perm or contract - commercially minded growth marketer with 10+ years across performance marketing, experimentation and conversion optimisation in ASX-listed organisations. Built experimentation frameworks from scratch and managed multi-million dollar digital budgets, with deep expertise in paid media, analytics, first-party data and lifecycle marketing.
• CRM & Lifecycle Marketer | $90k + super | immediate, perm or contract - specialist CRM marketer with 10+ years leading lifecycle marketing, retention and automation programs across enterprise B2C brands in retail, healthcare, travel and hospitality. Deep platform expertise across Braze, Klaviyo, HubSpot and Salesforce, managing databases of over one million contacts.

Headlines we're watching

• Karl Stefanovic exits Nine immediately, marking another significant media and leadership restructure.
• 80% of Australians now expect better loyalty rewards, with programs going beyond retention toward enhanced personalisation.
• Vamp wins ChapStick Australia's influencer account, a six-month creator program focused on brand awareness and community growth.
• Zenith appointed to Tourism Australia's media account in a three-year arrangement.
• Cannes Lions 2026 wrap: AI, creators and culture dominate, with experiential strategy front of mind.

Get in touch

Whether you're hiring, exploring your next move, or just want to talk through the market, we'd love to hear from you.

• Libby Kidd: 0401 784 670 | [email protected]
• Michael Johns: 0406 210 924 | [email protected]
• Cass Barker: 0431 625 791 | [email protected]