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Marketing manager

Alternative titles for this job include Brand manager, account manager

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

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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. These are offered by professional bodies, like:

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

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Chartered Institute of Marketing for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about marketing careers from The Chartered Institute of Marketing and the The Institute of Data and Marketing.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and 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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Marketing Apprentice - GWO

  • Wage: £14,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne

Marketing & Business Development Apprentice

  • Wage: £18,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Leeds

Courses In England

CIM Level 4 Award in Applied Marketing

  • Provider: FARNBOROUGH COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
  • Start date: 11 September 2023
  • Location: Farnborough

CIM Level 4 Award in Digital Marketing Techniques

  • Provider: MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
  • Start date: 30 April 2024
  • Location: Milton Keynes

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