Essendon have secured Ian Robson from rival AFL club Hawthorn as their new chief executive.

Robson will replace Bombers chief executive and managing director Peter Jackson, who has decided to retire from the club after 13 years.

Essendon chairman Ray Horsburgh said Robson had an impressive track record of success and experience.

"At Essendon we are following a similar football and business strategy to that of Hawthorn - including focusing on bringing through a young playing group together - which makes Ian an excellent fit for us," Horsburgh said.

"Significantly, during his time at the Hawks the club had grown considerably, including attracting over 50,000 members this year for the first time, and I believe he will help Essendon build towards further on and off-field success."

Robson, who was with the Hawks for five years, will start with Essendon and Jackson will officially finish with the club at the end of the season.

The opportunity arose for Robson after Jackson's seeming heir apparent, Essendon's chief operating officer Travis Auld, accepted the CEO role at the new Gold Coast franchise.

Horsburgh paid tribute to Jackson's contribution to the club.

"Peter has played an integral role in building Essendon into the AFL powerhouse it is today and his contribution to the success of this club for more than a decade cannot be underestimated," he said.

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