Brand manager jobs include assistants or managers who work in positions ranging from entry-level jobs all the way up to the executive level. Some people in this career field also serve as marketing analysts and sales representatives. There are even opportunities for student brand managers who promote products on college campuses.
People who are creative, enjoy teamwork and have strong analytical and problem-solving skills usually excel in brand marketing jobs. Often, an undergraduate degree in business, marketing or liberal arts is required. A master's degree might be required for higher-level brand manager jobs. Some companies also require overall knowledge of their business operations, especially for higher-level positions.
A student brand manager is one kind of entry-level job. Students in these positions typically use a college campus to get out the word about a certain product. This includes making other students aware of the product and selling the product. Various promotional events also might be organized. For example, the product might be promoted at a sporting event.
Entry-level candidates often start out as brand manager assistants. An assistant brand manager is often responsible for coordinating various aspects of product marketing. This includes designing, promoting and advertising a product.
Assistants can also work as marketing analysts. People in these positions are often responsible for analyzing the data that is used to make marketing decisions. A marketing analyst might also carry out general office duties such as bookkeeping, running errands and ordering office supplies.
A brand manager job is often the next step up from being an assistant. Being a brand manager carries many more responsibilities, however. He or she is responsible for developing strategies that are approved by senior managers. The brand manager also manages assistant brand managers, analysts and other employees.
Although a marketing or sales background is important, people with other kinds of experience are also able to land brand manager jobs. Much of this depends on needs and the nature of the business. In some businesses, analytical and leadership skills might be more important than a high level of creativity, for example.
Brand manager jobs can also involve becoming a marketing director. This role includes directing and overseeing the work of the brand managers and their assistants. A marketing director has a great deal of responsibility, because he or she is often responsible for company profits and losses related to marketing.
Most brand manager jobs are found in large corporations or ad agencies. In these organizations, there tends to be a focus on brand-name products as well as a wide variety of products. A variety of products allows a business to have more marketing flexibility if one of the products begins to decline.