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Careers

Between 2006 and 2009, 0.3% of employed doctoral graduates, or 40 employed doctoral graduates, are known to have been working as marketing executives six months after graduation.

Job description

Marketing executives are classified in the ‘other occupations' cluster of doctoral employment.

Marketing executives are involved in developing marketing campaigns that promote a product, service or idea. The role includes planning, advertising, public relations, organising events, product development, distribution, sponsorship and research.

The responsibilities of a marketing executive will vary, depending on the size of the organisation and sector, and whether the focus is on selling a product or service or raising awareness of an issue that affects the public. Marketing executives can be found in both the private and public sectors, from the financial, retailing and media industries to voluntary and public sector organisations. Marketing executives may also be known as marketing officers or coordinators.

Typical work activities

Marketing executives contribute to and develop integrated marketing campaigns. Tasks typically involve:

  • Communicating with target audiences and managing customer relationships
  • Liaising and networking with a range of stakeholders e.g. customers, colleagues, suppliers and partner organisations
  • Sourcing advertising opportunities and placing adverts in the press (local, regional, national and specialist publications) or on the radio (depending on the organisation and the campaign)
  • Managing the production of marketing materials, including leaflets, posters, flyers, newsletters and e-newsletters and DVDs
  • Writing and proofreading copy
  • Liaising with designers and printers
  • Arranging for the effective distribution of marketing materials
  • Organising and attending events such as conferences, seminars, receptions and exhibitions
  • Sourcing and securing sponsorship
  • Conducting market research such as customer questionnaires and focus groups
  • Contributing to and developing marketing plans and strategies to budgets
  • Monitoring competitor activity
  • Supporting the marketing manager and other colleagues

Entry requirements

First degree or doctoral qualifications in the following subjects may increase your chances:

  • Business/management
  • Communications
  • Marketing

A postgraduate qualification such as a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)  may improve your chances of securing a marketing position.

Gaining pre-entry relevant work experience is also very helpful.

Potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Analytical skills
  • Business awareness
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Creativity
  • Drive
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing and negotiation skills
  • It literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Oral and written skills
  • Teamwork
  • The ability to use initiative

Networking can be very beneficial in helping you secure a marketing position. Your university careers service may host events giving you the opportunity to gain contacts and meet industry representatives. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) also run a range of industry events and workshops, helping to provide networking opportunities.

Salary

  • Range of typical starting salaries is £22,000 - £27,000, depending on the sector (salary data collected September 2009).
  • Marketing managers with around five years experience expect to earn from £30,000. Marketing Directors with 10 - 15 years' experience and working at strategic level can expect to earn from £50,000 or more (salary data collected September 20 09).

Sector and disciplinary information

Sector information

Doctoral graduates from 2006-9 working in this occupation were known to be employed in the following profiled sectors six months after graduation:

Disciplinary background

The most common disciplinary backgrounds for doctoral graduates (2006-2009) entering marketing were:

Career stories

None available

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