The Work

As a marketing manager, it would be your job to plan the best ways of promoting your employer's
product, service or message to as many people as possible. You would use various marketing
strategies (such as media advertising, direct mail, websites and promotional events) to communicate
with customers.

Your typical tasks would include:
researching and analysing market trends identifying target markets and how best to reach them coming up with marketing strategies planning campaigns and managing budgets organising the production of posters, brochures and websites attending trade shows, conferences and sales meetings making sure that campaigns run to deadline and on budget monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of strategies and campaigns managing a team of marketing executives and assistants.

You would often specialise in certain types of product or market, such as fashion, fast moving
consumer goods (FMCG) or financial services. In some companies you might be known as a brand or account manager.

Hours

You would typically work standard office hours, Monday to Friday, sometimes longer at busy times such as the lead-up to a campaign launch. You may also need to attend networking events in the evenings. You would be office-based, but may also travel to meet clients and attend conferences, exhibitions and product launches.

Income

Management salaries are usually between £25,000 and £40,000 a year.
Senior managers and marketing directors can earn £50,000 a year or more.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Skills and Knowledge
excellent spoken and written communication skills creative thinking good organisational and planning skills the ability to lead and motivate a team drive, motivation and initiative the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines the confidence to 'sell' your ideas attention to detail good business sense and budget awareness. Foreign language skills can be useful for international marketing jobs.

Opportunities

You could be employed by a marketing agency or consultancy, or you could work for an in-house marketing department in all kinds of businesses or public sector organisations. Jobs may be advertised in the local, national and industry press, on the CIM website (for CIM members only), and specialist recruitment agencies.

With experience, you could be promoted to brand or account director, then marketing director. You could also choose to become a freelance marketing consultant or set up your own consultancy.

Sign up for the Ascentis Marketing Level 3 Diploma