Hire the best Marketing Managers

A skilled marketing manager can be the driving force behind your company’s growth and success. A competent marketing manager not only oversees your marketing efforts but also aligns them with your overall business objectives, so every campaign and initiative contributes to your bottom line.

Whether you’re a business owner looking to establish your brand, a small business aiming to expand your market reach, or an established corporation seeking to stay ahead of the competition, this guide will provide insights into finding and hiring the marketing talent you need.

What is a marketing manager?

A marketing manager is responsible for overseeing and executing an organization’s marketing strategy. They lead marketing campaigns, analyze market trends, and coordinate with various teams to achieve business goals through effective marketing efforts. Their expertise often spans various areas, including email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and product marketing.

Marketing managers play a significant role in developing and implementing marketing plans. They often oversee a team of marketing experts, collaborate with other departments, and report directly to upper management or the chief marketing officer (CMO). 

Their skill set typically includes project management, media strategy development, and the ability to understand and target the target audience.

You can have this type of professional as part of your in-house marketing team or by outsourcing to a marketing agency. 

Why is having a marketing manager important?

Hiring a competent marketing manager is essential for several reasons.

• Strategic direction: They provide a cohesive vision for your marketing efforts, aligning them with overall business needs.
• Team leadership: Marketing managers guide and motivate your marketing team, ensuring collaboration and productivity.
• ROI optimization: They analyze marketing metrics to maximize return on investment and improve conversions across various marketing channels.
• Brand consistency: They maintain a consistent brand message across all marketing initiatives, enhancing brand awareness.
• Adaptability: Marketing managers stay updated on industry trends, allowing your business to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

How to hire a marketing manager

Finding the right marketing manager requires a strategic approach. Follow these key steps to attract and secure top talent:

1. Define your marketing needs and goals: Outline your business objectives and the specific marketing challenges you need to address.
2. Create a comprehensive job post: Craft a detailed job listing that reflects the role and responsibilities, and post it on relevant job boards and platforms like Upwork.
3. Set a competitive salary range: Research industry standards to offer a pay rate that attracts quality candidates while aligning with your budget.
4. Review applications and conduct initial screenings: Evaluate resumes and portfolios, then conduct brief interviews to assess potential fits.
5. Assign a sample project to top candidates: Provide a real-world marketing challenge to evaluate candidates’ strategic thinking and practical skills.
6. Perform in-depth interviews and check references: Conduct thorough interviews with promising candidates and verify their past performance and qualifications.
7. Make an offer and develop an onboarding process: Present a competitive offer to your chosen candidate and create an onboarding plan to ensure a smooth transition into the role.

Writing a marketing manager job post

A well-crafted job post can help you attract top marketing talent. We explain how to structure your posting.

Job post title

Choose a clear and specific title that accurately reflects the role. Examples include:

• Senior B2B tech marketing manager
• E-commerce digital marketing lead
• SaaS content marketing strategist

Job description

In your project description, highlight:

• Company overview and mission
• Key responsibilities and expectations
• Specific marketing channels and tools used (e.g., Google Ads, social media platforms)
• Team structure and reporting lines
• Growth opportunities within the role

Example: “We’re seeking a results-driven marketing manager to lead our digital marketing efforts for our fast-growing SaaS startup. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in B2B marketing, with expertise in content marketing, SEO, and marketing automation tools. Experience with email marketing and social media management is a plus.”

Job responsibilities

List the core duties of the marketing manager role, such as:

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies
• Lead and mentor a team of marketing specialists
• Manage marketing budget and allocate resources effectively
• Analyze marketing metrics and adjust campaigns for optimal performance
• Collaborate with sales, product, and customer success teams
• Oversee content creation, including copywriting and graphic design
• Conduct market research to identify new opportunities and trends
• Manage relationships with external vendors and agencies

Qualifications

Outline the essential skills and experience required. For example:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or related field (MBA preferred)
• 5+ years of experience in marketing, with at least two years in a management role
• Proven track record of successful marketing campaigns and initiatives
• Strong analytical skills and experience with marketing analytics tools
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Proficiency in marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
• Experience with SEO, PPC, and social media marketing
• Familiarity with graphic design principles and tools

Essential knowledge before hiring a marketing manager

Before you begin the hiring process, understanding a marketing manager’s role and responsibilities can help you identify the right candidate and set clear expectations for the position.

The role of a marketing manager

Marketing managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing marketing initiatives to promote a company’s products or services. They develop marketing strategies aligned with business goals, ensuring marketing efforts contribute to the company’s objectives. These professionals manage marketing budgets and resources, allocating funds across various campaigns and channels.

A key aspect of their role is leading a team of marketing professionals, including specialists in areas such as social media management and content creation. They foster collaboration with other departments to ensure cohesive messaging across the organization. Marketing managers also analyze market trends and competitor activities to stay ahead in the industry.

Measuring and reporting on marketing performance is another critical responsibility. They use data-driven insights to refine strategies and demonstrate the value of marketing initiatives to stakeholders.

Hiring demand for marketing managers in 2024

The demand for skilled marketing managers continues to grow as businesses increasingly recognize the importance of effective marketing strategies. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of marketing managers is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. This should lead to about 34,000 new openings each year over the next decade. 

Common marketing manager projects

Marketing managers typically work on a variety of projects.

• Developing annual marketing plans: Creating comprehensive strategies that align with business objectives and guide all marketing efforts throughout the year.
• Launching new product or service campaigns: Orchestrating multichannel marketing efforts to introduce and promote new offerings to the target market.
• Rebranding initiatives: Overseeing the process of refreshing or completely overhauling a company’s brand identity to better reflect its values or reach new audiences.
• Market research and analysis: Conducting in-depth studies to understand market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes.
• Customer segmentation: Identifying customer groups and developing tailored marketing approaches for each segment.
• Content marketing strategy development: Creating plans for producing and distributing content to attract and engage a specific audience.
• Social media marketing campaigns: Planning and executing campaigns across various social platforms to increase brand awareness and engagement.
• SEO and PPC optimization: Improving website visibility in search results and managing paid advertising campaigns to drive targeted traffic.
• Email marketing campaigns: Designing and implementing email strategies to nurture leads, retain customers, and drive conversions.
• Product marketing initiatives: Developing messaging and positioning for products or services and creating materials to support sales efforts.

Industries seeking marketing managers

Marketing managers are in demand across various industries, including:

• Technology and software as a service (SaaS)
• E-commerce and retail
• Health care and pharmaceuticals
• Financial services
• Hospitality and tourism
• Nonprofit organizations
• Media and entertainment

Marketing manager hiring cost

The cost of hiring a marketing manager can vary based on experience, location, and industry. Hourly rates for marketing managers on Upwork range from $24 to $60, but more experienced or specialized independent professionals or consultants can charge considerably more.

Marketing manager FAQ

We answer some frequently asked questions about marketing managers. 

What’s the difference between a marketing manager and a CMO?

A marketing manager typically oversees specific marketing functions or campaigns, while a CMO is an executive-level position responsible for the overall marketing strategy and direction of the company. CMOs usually have more experience and a broader scope of responsibility.

How can a marketing manager contribute to business growth?

Marketing managers drive business growth by:

• Increasing brand awareness and market share
• Generating qualified leads for the sales team
• Improving customer retention through targeted marketing efforts
• Identifying new market opportunities
• Optimizing marketing spend for better ROI
• Aligning marketing goals with overall business objectives

Should I hire a full-time marketing manager or consider a short-term contract?

The decision between a full-time hire and a short-term contract depends on your specific business needs and resources. A full-time marketing manager is ideal for ongoing, long-term strategic planning and execution. However, a short-term contract can be beneficial for specific projects or when testing the waters before making a permanent hire.

Get started with marketing manager on Upwork

With Upwork, you can find the best candidate to lead your marketing efforts and achieve your business goals. 

Whether you’re a startup looking for the right marketing expertise or an established company seeking to enhance your marketing capabilities, Upwork connects you with top talent to meet your unique business needs. Sign up for Upwork and post a job today.