He takes over from Kathy McAllister, who was previously interim marketing director and is now leaving the company to return to Ireland.
This is the latest in a series of appointments and promotions within News International's senior marketing team since Rebekah Brooks became chief executive in June.
Painter has worked across the entire brand portfolio at News International and recently lead The Times and The Sunday Times marketing team on an interim basis. He will later return to his role as NI Portfolio, Strategy and Planning Director once a permanent replacement is found and in the mean time reports directly to Brooks.
Alex Lewis, former director of marketing for the BSkyB network, joined the company this month as marketing director for The Times and The Sunday Times. Both Painter and Lewis now hold the most senior marketing roles at NI since Jeremy Schwartz relinquished his position as chief marketing officer last month.
In March, Katie Vanneck was appointed to the new role of managing director of customer direct, where her remit is to drive take-up of NI products such as The Sun Bingo and The Times Culture+.
In September, when Painter was given the role of NI portfolio, strategy and planning director, two other marketers were appointed. Mark Goodison was appointed insight director and Martin Pierson was appointed creative director within media.
In another change of personnel, Mike Anderson, an NI executive and former managing director of The Sun and News of the World, left last month to start a consultancy. He will continue to advise The Sun on commercial matters.
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