Leonard, a former executive with the Financial Times Group, will take on the role at the graduate website, acquired by the group in 2006, immediately.
News International said Leonard will continue to be involved with the group's digital properties on top of his new role, and it will not appoint a replacement for the digital strategy role.
He will take over the responsibilities of Tom Hughes, founder and chief executive of Milkround, who will now work with Paul Hayes, managing director of NI Commercial, on strategic projects across the group.
Leonard joined News International in 2006 as digital media publisher. Prior to that, he worked for the Financial Times Group, where he was managing director of the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions and chief executive of FT.com.
News International is thought to have paid around £20m for Milkround, which was launched in 1996. The website tracks job opportunities at graduate level.
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