Marketing manager job description.

What does a marketing manager do?

A marketing manager develops, leads, and delivers marketing strategies to drive business growth and brand visibility. The role involves planning campaigns, managing teams or agencies, setting budgets, and measuring performance across key channels.

 

Marketing managers typically oversee activity across digital, content, email, paid media, and events. They work closely with sales, product, and senior leadership teams to align marketing with business objectives and revenue targets.

 

For businesses, hiring a marketing manager brings structure, ownership, and accountability to your marketing function. For candidates, this role offers the opportunity to lead strategy, manage delivery, and influence commercial outcomes.

 

 

Key responsibilities of a marketing manager.

 

Marketing managers are responsible for leading campaign delivery and aligning marketing activity with business goals. Core responsibilities often include:

• Developing and implementing multi-channel marketing strategies
• Managing campaign execution across digital, content, paid media, and social platforms
• Leading a team of marketing professionals or coordinating agency partners
• Overseeing budgets, timelines, and resource planning
• Setting KPIs and reporting on campaign performance
• Ensuring brand consistency and tone of voice across all outputs
• Collaborating with teams across sales, product, and operations
• Presenting updates and results to stakeholders and leadership teams
• Conducting audience and competitor research to inform campaign planning
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and training of marketing team members

The exact scope may vary depending on company size, sector, and the maturity of the marketing team.

Skills and requirements for a marketing manager.

 

Hiring managers usually look for someone with a combination of leadership, planning, and delivery experience. Key skills and experience include:

• 3 to 6 years’ experience in a marketing role with campaign ownership
• Proven ability to plan and deliver marketing strategies
• Strong understanding of digital platforms including email, paid media, SEO, and CRM
• Budget and resource management experience
• Experience managing people or working with external partners and agencies
• Confident communication and copywriting skills
• Strong reporting and analysis skills using platforms like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or CRM tools
• The ability to align marketing plans with business goals and KPIs

While a degree in marketing or business is common, most employers prioritise practical experience, leadership capability, and an ability to deliver results.

Average salary for a marketing manager.

 

In the UK, the average salary for a marketing manager typically ranges from £45,000 to £60,000, depending on experience, sector, and location.

• Mid-level marketing managers tend to earn between £45,000 and £52,000
• Senior marketing managers or those leading a team often earn between £55,000 and £60,000
• Roles in high-growth sectors or larger businesses may offer higher salaries or performance-related bonuses

Salaries are generally higher in London and other major cities, particularly in sectors like SaaS, fintech, ecommerce, and digital agencies.

Career progression for a marketing manager.

 

The marketing manager role is a stepping stone into senior leadership. A typical career path looks like:

 

Marketing executive

Delivers campaigns and content, gains hands-on experience, and supports wider team goals.

Senior marketing executive

Takes ownership of campaigns or channels, mentors junior team members, and supports reporting.

Marketing manager

Leads campaign planning, budget management, and performance reporting. Often manages a small team or agency partners.

Head of marketing

Oversees all marketing activity. Sets strategic direction and manages a broader team across disciplines.

Marketing director

Leads the marketing department at a strategic level. Aligns marketing with business growth plans and sits on the leadership team.

Some candidates choose to specialise in areas like content, performance, digital, or CRM before moving into broader leadership roles.