Marketing manager
Marketing managers plan how to promote products, services or brands and oversee all marketing activity.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
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.
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.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
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
You could get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
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
More Information
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
More Information
You could start as a marketing executive and then take a qualification offered by a professional marketing body such as:
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
Professional and industry bodies
You can join The Chartered Institute of Marketing for professional development and training opportunities.
Further information
Learn more about how to get into marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
You can also find out about marketing events and challenges by DMA Talent on the Institute of Data and Marketing.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.