The report in the Financial Times says that prospective candidates, approached by the unnamed headhunting firm, had been told that the main task was to prepare the company for privatisation.
However, the government says it has no plans to sell off the Royal Mail, with the Department of Trade & Industry telling the paper that a sell-off is not "on the agenda".
One of the candidates approached for the marketing director's job was told that one of the benefits being offered was the chance to makes large amounts of cash during the sale.
"It was all about the share options. They made clear there was a chance to become a millionaire in the next three or four years. The job is to prepare the company for a possible sale," the candidate told the paper.
Any sell-off of the Royal Mail would be contentious, sparking a clash with trade unionists. The Communication Workers Union is looking for assurance that there will be no sale.
Allan Leighton, the Royal Mail chairman, is said to favour a partial sell-off with workers getting shares as part of a motivation package.
Royal Mail began hunting for a marketing director following chief executive Adam Crozier's decision to remove Paul Rich from the position.
The postal operator is seeking a marketer with greater commercial marketing experience than Rich as it faces competition from new entrants to the market.
Rich was promoted in June 2002 from director of corporate development and continues to oversee marketing while a successor is found. Royal Mail has said a position for him will be found within the organisation.
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