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Marketing & Advertising

Brand Manager

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A Brand Manager is responsible for creating, developing, and maintaining a positive image for a company or product. They oversee marketing campaigns, analyse market trends, and work closely with product development, sales, and advertising teams. Their main aim is to ensure that the brand stays relevant and appealing to customers, which often involves monitoring competitors and coming up with creative strategies to set their brand apart. Day-to-day tasks can include planning product launches, managing budgets, and conducting market research. Brand Managers need excellent communication skills, creativity, and an understanding of consumer behaviour. This career is ideal for those interested in business, marketing, and strategic thinking.

Brand Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

The average salary for a Brand Manager in the UK is between £35,000 and £60,000 per year, with senior roles reaching up to £80,000.

Job Opportunities

There were over 8,000 brand management positions advertised in the UK in 2023.

Industries

Brand Managers are in demand across sectors such as retail, FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), technology, and financial services.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Digital Brand Manager

Focuses on managing a brand's presence and reputation across digital platforms, including social media, websites, and online advertising.

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Product Brand Manager

Specialises in developing and promoting specific products within a larger brand, working closely with product development and marketing teams.

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Retail Brand Manager

Manages the branding and marketing strategies for brands sold in retail environments, ensuring consistent in-store messaging and customer experience.

Build Relevant Qualifications

Complete Secondary Education

Achieve good GCSEs or equivalent, especially in English, Business Studies, and Maths.

Strong GCSE results will form the foundation for further study. Subjects like English and Business Studies are particularly useful as they develop your communication and analytical skills, which are essential for a career in brand management.

Study for a Degree

Pursue a university degree in marketing, business, or a related field.

Most brand managers have a degree, often in marketing, business management, or communications. Courses in these areas teach you about consumer behaviour, advertising, and strategic planning, all of which are important for brand management.

Gain Professional Qualifications

Consider additional qualifications such as those offered by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Professional marketing qualifications can make you stand out to employers. The CIM offers certificates and diplomas for those looking to specialise further and demonstrate their commitment to a career in marketing.

Gain Practical Experience

Take Part in Internships or Placements

Apply for marketing internships or industrial placements during or after your studies.

Work experience is crucial in this field. Internships provide practical skills and help you understand how marketing teams operate. They also offer networking opportunities, which can be valuable for securing your first full-time role.

Work in Entry-Level Marketing Roles

Start your career in roles such as Marketing Assistant, Brand Assistant, or Junior Marketing Executive.

These roles will help you develop skills in campaign planning, market research, and working with creative teams. Demonstrating success in these positions is often required before moving into a brand manager role.

Develop Brand Management Expertise

Build Key Skills

Develop skills in project management, communication, and data analysis.

Brand managers need to balance creativity with business acumen. Project management skills help you oversee campaigns, while strong communication ensures your ideas are clearly understood by colleagues and clients. Analysing market data is also key to understanding consumer trends.

Progress to Brand Manager Roles

Apply for Brand Manager positions once you have relevant experience and skills.

After gaining a few years of experience in junior roles, you can apply for Brand Manager positions. In this role, you will be responsible for planning and executing brand strategy, managing budgets, and leading campaigns to ensure the brand's success.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

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

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Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

A Brand Manager and a Marketing Manager both focus on developing and executing strategies to promote products or services, managing brand identity, and analysing market trends. They require similar skills in communication, market research, and strategic planning to enhance brand presence and drive business growth.

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

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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

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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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