Apprentice Marketing Managers develop, implement, and execute strategic marketing plans for a whole firm (or lines of business and brands inside an organisation) to attract new customers and retain existing ones.
They must be exceptional business leaders as well as exceptional marketing leaders. This is due to their responsibility for collaborating with executives to create budgets and goals and developing price strategies for products and services.
While Marketing Managers guide and supervise the marketing department, executives depend on them for profitability and performance. They often work in corporate environments as part of a larger marketing, creative, communications, or digital team. As part of an organisation, they play a critical role in aligning creative direction with the company’s strategic goals.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- 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.
Salary
- Starting salaries for apprentice marketing managers is £27,000 per year.
- Once qualified and with experience you can expect to earn £65,000 per year.
Working hours
You will typically work 37 to 40 hours per week including evenings / weekends when attending events or appointments.
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client’s business.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice marketing manager include:
- Level 6 Marketing Manager – Entry requirements for this level include 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship. This qualification takes 24 months to complete.
Skills
On a marketing manager apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- 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.
Employers
Marketing opportunities may be found in any industry, including banking, consumer, and information technology, as well as non-profit organisations such as charities, local governments, and higher education institutions.
Another alternative is full-service marketing organisations, which create and execute marketing strategies and campaigns on behalf of their clients. Customers wanting a comprehensive communications package might turn to these organisations for a multidisciplinary solution.
Professional development
Employers often advocate continued professional development (CPD) since it is critical for advancing your skills and knowledge. Typical activities include the following:
- attending networking events
- completing short courses on areas such as search engine marketing, email marketing, legal issues and data and analytics
- reading the trade press
- completing a professional qualification.
If you have the right combination of experience, qualifications, and CPD, you may apply for the CIM Chartered Marketer certification.
Organizations such as the Institute of Data & Marketing (IDM) offer professional development, certification, and training courses. In addition, IDM provides professional certification courses in digital and direct marketing at the award, certificate, diploma, and postgraduate levels.