Marketing manager
Also called Brand manager, account manager.
Marketing managers plan how to promote products, services or brands and oversee all marketing activity.
- Potential salary
- £30,000 starter to £65,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 37 to 40 a week. Working pattern: evenings / weekends attending events or appointments.
- Career area
- Business and administration
- Where they might work
- You could work in an office or at a client's business.
- A typical task
- create marketing and social media strategies
- Subjects that may help
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
- Typical route
- 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.
- Interest area used here
- Starting things and persuading
What you might do
- 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
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- 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
More skills
- business management skills
- customer service skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- 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.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Business management
Alternative route. A broad start. Marketing degrees and experience are closer for marketing roles.
- Events Management
Alternative route. Events experience can support marketing. It is not a marketing qualification.
- Graphic design
Related, but not enough on its own. Design skill helps marketing teams. It is not a marketing management qualification.
- International Business
Common route. Marketing can follow a business degree. It is not automatic.
- Marketing
Common route. A relevant degree. Management posts usually need experience after graduation.
- Media Studies
Alternative route. Some graduates move into communications or marketing.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- 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