Marketing Manager

Job Description:

Marketing managers plan how to promote products, services or brands and oversee all marketing activity.

Job Category:
Marketing & Advertising
See Marketing & Advertising jobs

What you will do:

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

  • create marketing and social media strategies and guidelines
  • manage a team of marketing executives
  • plan and manage the launch of new products and services
  • set budgets, targets and timelines
  • oversee and approve campaign content and communications
  • work with in-house or outside agencies to produce successful campaigns
  • organise and attend events to meet new and existing clients
  • report on the effectiveness of campaigns

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as:

  • the ability to sell products and services
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative (drive)
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • leadership skills
  • customer service skills
  • creativity skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

There are no specific GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) subjects that are universally required to become a Marketing Manager. However, certain GCSE subjects can be beneficial for developing skills and knowledge that are relevant to a career in marketing. These subjects include:

  1. English Language: Strong communication skills are crucial in marketing, as you’ll need to write persuasive copy, create engaging content, and communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.
  2. Mathematics: A solid foundation in mathematics can be helpful for analyzing data, managing budgets, and understanding marketing analytics.
  3. Business Studies or Economics: These subjects can provide a basic understanding of business principles and economic concepts, which are important in marketing strategy and decision-making.
  4. IT/Computer Science: Marketing increasingly relies on digital platforms, so having proficiency in IT and computer skills can be advantageous for understanding online marketing tools and platforms.
  5. Creative Arts (e.g., Art and Design): Creativity is a valuable skill in marketing, as you’ll be involved in designing advertisements, creating visual content, and developing marketing campaigns.
  6. Psychology or Sociology: Understanding human behavior and consumer psychology can be valuable when developing marketing strategies and targeting specific audiences.

Post School

You could get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University
Marketing roles are open to graduates of all subjects. Some higher national diploma or degree subjects may be particularly relevant, like:

  • marketing
  • business management
  • digital marketing
  • advertising
  • psychology

With a degree you could join a company graduate marketing management scheme.

Depending on your degree, you may be able to fast-track through professional marketing qualifications. You can find out more from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Apprenticeship
You could take your first steps into marketing through a marketing assistant or marketing executive advanced apprenticeship. If you already have experience or level 3 qualifications, you could do a marketing manager higher or degree apprenticeship.

Work
You could start as a marketing executive and complete a qualification while you’re working. You could also come to this role after working as a digital marketing manager or communications manager.

With experience, you could take qualifications to help you move into management. In the UK, these are offered by professional bodies, like:

  • The Chartered Institute of Marketing
  • the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
  • the Institute of Data and Marketing

Direct Application
You could apply directly for management jobs if you’ve got experience in a related area like:

  • sales management
  • advertising
  • communications
  • public relations

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in an office or at a client’s business.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could become a regional manager or marketing director. You could also become a brand or account director.

Another option is to work as a freelance marketing consultant.

Related Careers.

Social Media Manager Marketing Executive Public Relations Executive Sales Manager Events Manager