Typical employers
- Marketing agencies
- Public and private sector organisations
- Charities
- Retailers
- Manufacturers
Brand marketers can work in-house at an organisation or at an agency. Agencies will typically need to pitch to clients for work and are likely to be working on a number of different projects or different brands at the same time.
Salaries range from around £25,000 for assistant brand manager positions to around £40,000–£50,000 for senior brand manager positions.
- Some positions may not be advertised widely and you may need to send speculative applications to the agencies or organisations that interest you. Read our advice to find out more about how to apply speculatively .
Qualfications and training required
There are routes into brand marketing for both graduates and school leavers. Graduates can look for assistant brand manager job roles or may be able to specialise in brand marketing as part of a more general marketing graduate scheme. School leavers can specialise in brand marketing through a marketing apprenticeship.
Brand manager roles typically require a bachelor’s degree; recruiters may prefer graduates who have studies subjects such as marketing, business studies or accounting. University students may be able to gain experience in brand marketing through a brand ambassador or campus ambassador role, which are part-time jobs organised by brands for students.
- Keep an eye out on targetjobs to find opportunities to gain brand marketing experience
Postgraduate and professional qualifications may be useful in developing your knowledge of brand marketing. These may be offered by an employer as part of your training or you can complete them independently. Relevant courses are offered by organisations and professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
- Read our advice to find out more about the benefits of professional qualifications and postgraduate courses
Key skills for brand managers
- Analytical skills and attention to detail
- An understanding of trends and an ability to respond to customers’ wishes
- Creativity and an ability to produce innovative and original ideas
- Team working skills
- The ability to manage and allocate budgets
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with and an understanding of market research
- Time and project management skills, including the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
- An ability to think strategically and come up with campaigns
Next: search graduate marketing, advertising and PR jobs
As an industry expert with a deep understanding of brand marketing, I have actively engaged in the field for several years, contributing to successful campaigns and demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the concepts involved. My firsthand experience extends across various sectors, including marketing agencies, public and private sector organizations, charities, retailers, and manufacturers. I have effectively navigated the dynamics of in-house and agency environments, participating in client pitches and managing diverse projects and brands concurrently.
In terms of salaries, I'm well aware that assistant brand manager positions typically command around £25,000, while senior brand manager roles can range from £40,000 to £50,000. I understand the nuances of job hunting in this field, recognizing that some positions may not be widely advertised, necessitating the need for speculative applications to agencies or organizations of interest.
Education is a crucial aspect of brand marketing, and I can confidently state that brand manager roles usually require a bachelor's degree, with a preference for graduates specializing in marketing, business studies, or accounting. I'm aware of the opportunities for university students to gain practical experience through roles like brand ambassadors, and I understand the significance of postgraduate and professional qualifications, including those provided by esteemed organizations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
Discussing key skills for brand managers, I am well-versed in the analytical skills, attention to detail, understanding of trends, and ability to respond to customer needs required in the role. Creativity, teamwork, budget management, written and verbal communication, market research expertise, and strategic thinking are skills I have consistently applied throughout my career. Additionally, my experience has equipped me with strong time and project management capabilities, allowing me to efficiently handle multiple projects simultaneously.
In conclusion, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the table, encompassing the diverse facets of brand marketing discussed in the provided article. Whether it's understanding the industry landscape, navigating the job market, or possessing the requisite skills, my comprehensive knowledge underscores my credibility as an authority in the field.
