Sheikh, who will take the title group brand director, takes on a job unfilled since David Wheldon left in February 2010.
She will be responsible for developing creative strategy, brand identity, media strategy and sponsorships such as its backing of the McLaren F1 team.
Her appointment comes eight months on from an overhaul of Vodafone’s marketing setup that saw the role of chief marketing officer scrapped and the creation of a new commercial business unit to lead on marketing.
Sheikh will report to Morten Lundal, who leads the group commercial unit.
She left the More Than brand owner RSA earlier this year. She was previously director of marketing and commercial strategy at ITV.