In the world of selling goods and services, marketing managers are always on the lookout for ways to turn up the heat on interest in their products. These managers lead teams that use market knowledge and data analysis to estimate how much of a product consumers want, and to identify new markets for a clients' products. They also keep an eye on trends that point out an opportunity to create new products or services. Marketing managers develop pricing strategies they think will appeal to buyers, while still earning a profit for the company. They also determine project budgets, assign tasks, and manage their team. These managers often collaborate with advertising or promotions managers, and usually work closely with top executives. Marketing managers typically work full time either at an advertising agency or in a marketing department within a larger company. The work can be stressful, with long hours especially near deadlines. Most marketing managers have a bachelor's degree, in addition to previous marketing experience. Courses in economics, finance, statistics, and computer science are particularly useful. Many former public relations specialists or sales representatives also move into this field. Master's degrees are not unusual. Sometimes almost magically, marketing managers have the skill of anticipating where products will fit in people's lives, even before consumers realize what they're missing out on.
What they do:
Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
On the job, you would:
Identify, develop, or evaluate marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment objectives, market characteristics, and cost and markup factors.
Formulate, direct, or coordinate marketing activities or policies to promote products or services, working with advertising or promotion managers.
Evaluate the financial aspects of product development, such as budgets, expenditures, research and development appropriations, or return-on-investment and profit-loss projections.
Business
sales and marketing
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
Communications
multimedia
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Basic Skills
figuring out how to use new ideas or things
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
use rules to solve problems
come up with lots of ideas
Math
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Initiative
Dependability
Leadership
Achievement/Effort
Adaptability/Flexibility
Attention to Detail
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
MySQL
Customer relationship management CRM software
Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
Salesforce software
Analytical or scientific software
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
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