Marketing manager
Marketing managers plan how to promote products, services or brands and oversee all marketing activity.
Also known as: Brand manager, account manager
- Starter salary£30,000 a year
- Experienced£65,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a marketing manager you'll:
- create marketing and social media strategies
- plan and manage the launch of new products and services
- oversee and approve campaign content, budgets and targets
- work with in-house or external agencies
- report on the effectiveness of campaigns
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to sell products and services
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- leadership skills
- maths knowledge
- business management skills
- customer service skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a marketing manager
You could get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You can become a marketing manager as graduate of any subject. Some higher national diploma or degree subjects might be particularly relevant like:
- marketing
- business management
- digital marketing
- advertising
- psychology
Some companies might offer graduate marketing management schemes.
You might be able to fast-track through professional marketing qualifications if your degree is accredited.
You can find out more about the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) accredited degree .
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Apprenticeship
You could start by taking a Marketing Assistant or Marketing Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
If you already have some marketing experience, you might be able to do a Marketing Manager Level 6 Higher Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a marketing executive and then take a qualification offered by a professional marketing body such as:
- The Chartered Institute of Marketing
- the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
- the Data and Marketing Association
Direct application
You might be able to apply directly for marketing manager jobs if you have experience in a related area like:
- sales management
- advertising
- communications
- public relations
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move up to:
- regional manager
- marketing director
- brand or account director
You could choose to work as a freelance marketing consultant.
Career tips
The Data and Marketing Association runs a Talent Marketing Challenge , which offers opportunities to get some experience of being involved in a marketing campaign.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join The Chartered Institute of Marketing for professional development and training opportunities.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleMarketing executive
- Job rolePublic relations officer
- Job roleSocial media manager
- Job roleSales manager
- Job roleEvents manager
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