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Marketing Manager

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A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing marketing strategies to promote a company’s products or services. In this role, you might manage marketing campaigns, work within a set budget, analyse market trends, and lead a team of marketing professionals. Day to day tasks can include planning promotions, creating content, working with advertising agencies, and measuring the effectiveness of campaigns. Marketing Managers often collaborate with sales, design, and product teams to ensure consistent messaging and to meet business goals. Strong communication, creativity, and leadership skills are important in this career.

Marketing Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Marketing Managers in the UK typically earn between £30,000 and £60,000 a year, with senior roles in large companies reaching up to £80,000 or more.

Job Openings

There were over 18,000 marketing manager roles advertised in the UK in 2023, according to job market surveys.

Employment Sectors

Around 35 percent of UK marketing managers work in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, with others employed in retail, media, and manufacturing.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Digital Marketing Manager

Oversees online marketing campaigns, including social media, email marketing, and web advertising to promote products or services.

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Brand Manager

Responsible for developing and maintaining a brand’s image, ensuring consistency across all marketing channels and managing brand campaigns.

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Content Marketing Manager

Plans and creates written, visual, or audio content to engage audiences and support a company’s marketing strategies.

Gain Relevant Education

Complete GCSEs and A-levels

Achieve good results in GCSEs, especially in English and Maths, followed by A-levels or equivalent qualifications, ideally including Business, Media Studies, or Economics.

Strong literacy and numeracy skills are essential in marketing, so focus on English and Maths. Choosing subjects like Business Studies, Media Studies, or Economics at A-level will give you foundational knowledge relevant to marketing. Alternatively, BTECs or equivalent courses in Business or Marketing are also valuable.

Earn a Degree or Equivalent Qualification

Pursue a degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related subject at university, or consider a higher apprenticeship in Marketing.

Most Marketing Managers have a degree. Popular courses include Marketing, Business Management, Communications, or Digital Marketing. Some roles may accept candidates with a higher apprenticeship or a foundation degree in a relevant subject. University courses often include industry placements, which can provide valuable experience.

Build Practical Marketing Experience

Gain Entry-Level Marketing Experience

Start your career in roles such as Marketing Assistant, Social Media Executive, or Digital Marketing Coordinator to gain hands-on experience.

Entry-level positions help you develop skills in campaign planning, market research, social media, and content creation. Look for internships, summer placements, or part-time roles during or after your studies. Volunteering to help local businesses or charities with their marketing can also count as valuable experience.

Develop Key Marketing Skills

Work on essential skills such as communication, creativity, data analysis, project management, and digital marketing tools.

Marketing is fast-paced and requires a mix of creative and analytical skills. Learn how to use digital marketing platforms, analytics tools, and project management software. Strong communication and presentation skills are also crucial, as you will need to pitch ideas and report on progress to stakeholders.

Progress to Management Level

Advance to Senior Marketing Roles

Seek promotions to roles such as Marketing Executive, Marketing Officer, or Senior Marketing Specialist to gain leadership experience.

To progress, demonstrate your ability to lead projects, manage campaigns, and deliver results. Take on more responsibility, such as managing budgets or supervising junior staff. Consider working in different sectors or companies to broaden your experience.

Become a Marketing Manager

Apply for Marketing Manager positions, highlighting your experience, achievements, and leadership skills.

Marketing Manager roles typically require several years of relevant experience. Show evidence of successful campaigns, team leadership, and strategic thinking in your applications. Consider professional qualifications like the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) diploma to enhance your credentials.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Marketing Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

The role of a Marketing Manager most closely aligns with the role of a Marketing executive in terms of qualifications, as both positions require expertise in marketing strategies, campaign management, and understanding market trends. They typically hold similar educational backgrounds and experience levels, with the Marketing Manager often overseeing larger teams and strategic planning.

How to become

You could get into this job through:

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

University

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

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Apprenticeship

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

Work

You could start as a marketing executive and then take a qualification offered by a professional marketing body such as:

Direct Application

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

More Information

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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