all about brand manager jobs

Brand managers do exactly what you think they do: they are in charge of managing an organization's brand across multiple platforms, ensuring that it effectively communicates marketing messages to its target audience.

Brand managers are highly skilled at planning, strategic development, analytics, and have their finger on the pulse of emerging trends in marketing and brand development. Brand managers' primary goal is to increase brand presence, create a positive brand image and leverage this to outperform competing brands while making the brand profitable. They play a key role in helping companies with their overall marketing strategy.

what brand manager jobs entail

Brand managers typically work full-time in an office environment for a large company. They can also represent a brand through an agency or work as an independent contractor. They are a key part of the marketing

average brand manager salaries

If you’ve just taken a step up in your career and have moved into a brand management positon, you can expect a starting salary between $70,000 and $80,000 to start. With 5 or more years of experience as a brand manager, you can command a salary of $100,000+.

There is also a tendency for professionals to make more, in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Other factors that could impact your salary include level of experience and where you work (for a company, agency, independently).

your day to day tasks

Brand managers’ day-to-day tasks can vary greatly depending on the time of year, the type of campaign they are working on, and which marketing initiatives have prominence at the time. Common day-to-day tasks include:

• monitoring brand campaigns, social media channels, and ad performance
• researching consumer markets
• overseeing branding and marketing tasks by team members
• signing off and editing of marketing copy and other materials
• attending strategy meetings
• brainstorming new ideas, products, services and solutions
• working with outside agencies and internal company departments
• assigning work, deadlines, and project goals
• As a brand manager you will also work in coordination with a team in your organization's marketing department. You may also be involved with the planning and strategy for the company’s overall marketing plan.

where you can work

Brand managers are required for any company, in any industry that requires assistance with growing or maintaining a positive brand image. While most brand managers work within the marketing industry, you can also find them in many other companies and industries. Typically, there is greater demand for brand managers in larger cities and large business centres within Canada such as Vancouver, the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal.

Experienced brand managers have also been known to start their own agencies once they develop experience and strong industry connections.

what you bring to the table

As one would expect, brand managers need to be highly skilled and knowledgeable marketers. They are required to have a strong understanding of marketing principles and strategies. Highly desirable skills marketing managers should possess include:

• ability to identify and set trends
• marketing background and business acumen
• analytical mind
• excellent communicator (written and verbally)
• leadership and management skills
• public speaking and presentation skills
• research and analytics abilities
• well-versed in current marketing software and programs

training and certifications

Brand managers require a strong combination of experience and education. At a minimum, you will require a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or communications. Most brand managers also possess a post graduate diploma or master’s degree. Continuing education and industry certifications are an asset. Branding managers today also require strong technology acumen.

where your career is headed

Brand managers, like many other marketing professionals, have a tendency to move around and take on new challenges. Many move on from their current company and take on brand management roles with new companies.

Most brand managers eventually move up in their careers to take on a more senior role within marketing, such as marketing manager or taking over the management of a special project. Many also move on to become a VP or director of marketing. A final opportunity for brand managers is to branch out and work as an independent consultant or start their own marketing agency.

Are you looking for brand manager jobs in Canada? Contact Randstad today to see what jobs are available in your area.