The brand manager works in the marketing department of a company.
They must identify and achieve brand objectives for the company.
Overall, the brand manager holds a lot of responsibility within the marketing department. It is a well-paid position with growth potential.
As with any managerial role, brand managers often work more than 40 hours a week.
However, as you climb the corporate ladder, you may have more say in which projects take up more of your time.
Brand Manager Information
| Official Job Title | Brand Manager |
| Average Salary | $67,169 |
| Stress Level | Above Average |
| Work/Life Balance | Below Average |
| Job Satisfaction | High |
| Career Advancement | Average |
Brand Manager Job Description
What Is A Brand Manager?
Simply put, the job of a brand manager is to focus on brand business objectives.
They strive to achieve both short and long-term goals for the company brand.
What Does A Brand Manager Do On A Daily Basis?
Brand managers develop brand strategies, promote the growth of the business, carry out brand plans, and use data to drive traffic and convert leads to sales.
Responsibilities, Duties & Roles Of A Brand Manager
One of the brand manager’s duties is to oversee the research process from start to finish.
They are to identify research needs and conduct said studies.
Next, they analyze their research findings and identify opportunities for company growth.
Another crucial role of the brand manager is to keep themselves up to date on market trends.
A good brand manager will study their competition and act accordingly based on what they see happening around them in the industry.
Brand managers are responsible for establishing and maintaining brand budgets and a brand communication strategy.
One of the primary roles of the brand manager is to develop the brand narrative or story.
The brand manager determines the message a brand is sending out to potential customers and how they communicate that message across social media, email, and other marketing efforts.
Brand Manager Salary
Average Salary
The average salary of a brand manager is $103,858.
The salary you make as a brand manager is largely dependent on your seniority level, job experience, and the type of company you work for.
Starting Salary
Most commonly, a brand manager’s starting salary is around $39,855. Note that most brand managers start as ambassadors or associates.
The entry-level compensation is a fairly standard starting salary for most entry-level positions these days.
Ideally, the company will factor in your experience and education level when determining your starting salary.
Senior Salary
As a senior-level brand manager, you can make up to $140,000 per year.
Brand managers have the potential to reach this six-figure income in the first five years in the industry.
How To Become A Brand Manager
The Entry-Level: Certification, Training & Degree
Most companies are looking for entry-level brand managers to have a Bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
One attractive skill set to have when applying to be a brand manager is research analysis.
You will need to conduct reliable research on competitors and market trends and analyze that research to improve the brand plan and objectives.
Successful brand managers are problem solvers and creative thinkers.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Brand Manager?
There are entry-level brand manager positions available for people with little to no experience in the field.
However, companies are looking to hire brand managers with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Most students will take about four years to complete this degree.
Mid to high-level brand management positions typically require 2-4 years of brand management experience.
The right candidate in the right company could advance their career from entry to senior level in about five years.
Is It Hard To Become A Brand Manager?
Entering into any management role takes a lot of hard work and a diverse skill set.
You need marketing and brand knowledge to track current trends.
Additionally, you need managerial skills to create and implement strategies within your team.
With proper education, training, and experience, becoming a brand manager is a very viable career.
Brand Manager Career Paths
The Brand Manager Roadmap
The first step in becoming a brand manager is to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in marketing.
While there are exceptions to the rule, most companies are looking to hire a brand manager with this degree.
It can also help if you have previous job experience in management, marketing, and branding.
Once you have started your career as a brand manager, you will want to work hard to meet your goals and exceed expectations.
From there, continue growing in your brand manager role to reach the full income potential for this job title.
Projections For Growth In Brand Manager Jobs
As is true with most career paths, the bigger the company the more room there is for growth as a brand manager.
Companies with multiple brands need multiple brand managers.
As you gain experience and climb the corporate ladder, you can grow from entry-level to senior-level brand management and potentially double your salary over time.
In Summary: Is Brand Manager A Good Career?
A brand manager is a good career path to go down.
According to Glassdoor, it is among the top 20 most satisfying jobs in 2019.
With a good starting salary and growth potential, brand managers work hard and are compensated accordingly.
Just like any career path, your personal experience as a brand manager is influenced by the company you work for.
Research the company before interviewing for and accepting a new job.
Working Conditions
Can A Brand Manager Work Remotely From Home?
There are brand manager openings available for remote work.
If you are an entry-level brand manager, you are more likely to benefit from hands-on training in the office.
How Many Hours Does A Brand Manager Work?
A brand manager typically works more than 40 hours a week, especially when there is a big project in the works and a deadline to meet.
Can A Brand Manager Work Part-Time?
It is not very common for companies to hire part-time brand managers.
Perhaps if they need help on a particular project that their current brand manager does not have the capacity for, they may look for a contract worker to come in and oversee the project.
However, that would be more of a temporary position than a part-time one.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Brand Manager?
The amount of vacation days any employee is granted is largely based on the company that they work for.
Typically, the longer you work for a company the more vacation time you accrue.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Brand Manager
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Marketing Consultant
- SEO Manager
- Content Marketing Manager
- Marketing Coordinator
- Marketing Specialist
- Market Research Analyst
- IT Manager
- Content Strategist
Brand Manager Resume Tips
When constructing your brand manager resume, be sure to include any previous management experience, whether in the form of an old job or a position that you held in a club or organization outside of work.
It will also benefit you to highlight your research and analytical skills. Include tangible facts of how you utilized research in a previous position.
As a general rule for resume writing in general, be sure that your resume is properly formatted and free of any spelling or grammar errors.
Be sure to tailor your resume to the job description for the opening you are applying for.
In our digital world, many companies are using applicant tracking systems to filter through resumes.
These systems are focused on keywords.
Include the keywords from the job description to successfully pass your resume through the applicant tracking system.
Brand Manager Interview Questions
Question: How would you describe your personal brand?
Why it works: This question shows potential employers that you understand the importance of establishing and selling a brand to customers.
Question: How do you stay up to date on the latest tools and trends?
Why it works: A candidate’s answer to this question will show employers they have the research skills to track changing trends and react accordingly.
When interviewing for a brand manager position you can also expect a series of situational questions.
These types of questions allow potential employers to see how the candidate will approach problems and solve them.
Jobs Related To Brand Manager
- Project Managers oversee all aspects of a particular project, similar to brand managers.
- Digital Marketing jobs utilize the internet and other digital technologies that brand managers are familiar with.
- Marketing Coordinators assist the marketing department of a company.
- Management Analysts conduct research and identify ways to improve a company’s efficiency.
For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring A Brand Manager
Key Characteristics To Look For In A Brand Manager
When hiring a brand manager, human resource managers should look for a candidate who has strong research skills and a proven ability to work well in cross-functional environments.
The candidate needs to be a creative thinker who will solve brand problems and understand the brand goals of the company.
It will be helpful to ask situational questions where brand manager candidates will have to explain marketing trends and solve issues within a marketing strategy.