Marketing executive
Retail and sales

Related videos on a marketing executive

How to become a marketing executive

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• marketing communications
• advertising
• business and management
• psychology
• humanities

It may be possible to study Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualifications alongside your degree through the Graduate Gateway programme.

University (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through a marketing assistant advanced apprenticeship, or higher apprenticeship as a marketing executive.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could join a company's marketing department as an administrator or assistant. This could give you enough experience to work your way up to become a marketing executive.

Volunteering & Experience

You could get good, basic experience and marketing skills by volunteering for a charity and helping with their social media and events communications.

Direct application

You can apply directly to employers if you've got business and marketing skills. You may get these through jobs like sales, customer service or public relations work. Some employers may ask for a degree qualification though it's not always essential.

Other routes

You can do professional qualifications offered by The Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Data and Marketing, which may help your job prospects. You can also get a communications qualification from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. These qualifications are not essential but they may give you an advantage when applying for jobs. You can also complete qualifications like these while working to help you get ahead in your career.

More info

Professional and industry bodies You can join The Chartered Institute of Marketing and the The Institute of Data and Marketing to do professional qualifications and to make industry contacts. Further information You can find out more about becoming a marketing executive from The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• the ability to sell products and services
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your initiative
• leadership skills
• maths knowledge
• customer service skills
• business management skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you'll do

Day to day

Your day-to-day tasks may involve:

• researching customer thoughts and feelings and market trends to inform campaigns
• developing working relationships with clients
• writing and editing content for print
• understanding brand guidelines and checking they are followed
• organising and promoting events
• creating and planning marketing campaigns
• managing campaign content for social media and websites

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience, you could become a marketing manager. You can use the skills you develop as a marketing executive to move into digital marketing, if you're interested in that career. You could also become a freelance marketing consultant, or work in advertising, sales or public relations and communications.