what is a brand manager?
As a brand manager, you manage a company's image. You are responsible for customers' perceptions of the business and the brand. Hence, you develop strategies to improve the brand's image and make the company's products recognisable. The role requires creativity, technical skills and business acumen to stay ahead of the competition.
Aside from inspiring enthusiasm for a company's product externally, you also build interest among employees. When employees are enthusiastic, they represent the brand in a positive light, boosting customer loyalty with their customer service skills. Brand management involves implementing diverse strategies to build the brand's value and equity. You also identify the most effective digital marketing and communication tools for portraying a unique value proposition for the brand.
what does a brand manager do?
As a brand manager, you work alongside the marketing team to ensure the information they convey to the public resonates with the brand messaging. After studying the audience and customer needs, you develop a brand tone and voice to use on various social media platforms to improve awareness. Brand managers also create advertisements and marketing campaigns for the company. You also work with the production teams to ensure the product features and packaging matches the brand image.
Would working as a brand manager suit your creativity and business acumen? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a brand manager role.
brand manager jobsaverage brand manager salary
According to ONS, the median salary of a brand manager is £40,000 per year. The compensation package usually fluctuates depending on the experience level and complexity of the role. For instance, a junior brand manager gets a salary of £32,511 annually, while experienced and senior-level brand managers earn over £55,880 annually.
While brand managers aren't paid commissions like the sales and marketing professionals, some employers provide annual bonuses. Working overtime also attracts a higher compensation package due to the high hourly rates. Some companies provide additional allowances as part of the compensation package, like medical insurance or transport allowances.
how to increase the salary of a brand manager
The salary of a brand manager depends on the qualifications and work experience. For instance, completing a bachelor's degree in a related subject improves your employment prospects due to your knowledge in the field. As you gain additional qualifications, your compensation package should increase gradually. Your experience also influences your earnings since it determines your expertise and transferrable skills. At entry-level positions, your minimal experience lowers your salary. The company size may also influence your salary due to the resources available and the job's complexity.
types of brand managers
The types of brand managers usually depend on the employer they work for and the scope of their role. Some of the brand managers include:
- personal brand manager: as a brand manager, you can assist prominent personalities in achieving their business and personal goals. You organise appearances and interviews to help them improve their brand image. You also strategise ways to increase their social media following and help them improve their skills.
- product brand manager: as a product brand manager, you work with a company to increase product awareness or introduce it to the market. Your job is to develop the best packaging and branding strategies to make the product attract attention. You work with production and marketing teams to streamline the product's brand messaging.
working as a brand manager
Working as a brand manager involves building a positive reputation for the company you work for to increase visibility. Here are the specific tasks, work environments and schedules of business managers:
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brand manager job description
Some of the duties of brand managers include:
- researching the consumers and market: as a brand manager, it is important to understand the company's market and consumers. You should research the target audience and consumer preferences before developing the brand's tone and voice. After developing a brand image and voice, you test it in the market and use focus groups to evaluate the brand's performance.
- developing a brand identity: as a brand manager, you develop a brand name that will build a strong brand identity. A good brand name enables you to build customer relationships since they can relate to the brand identity. A strong brand identity should give people a sense of organisational culture that makes them recognisable in the market.
- planning strategies to build on the brand identity: it isn't enough to create a consistent image that curves out a position for the company in the marketplace. You should regularly plan for the next strategy to strengthen the brand identity. Identify areas of improvement in the brand identity and develop a plan to improve on the areas.
- developing custom brand management campaigns for products: as a brand manager, you keep the company ahead of the competition. That involves creating personalised branding campaigns for various products and services. You plan and execute communications and media to promote the products through various channels.
- assisting with launching new products: as a brand manager, you ensure the launch of new products is smooth and successful. For instance, you advise the company on the pricing, product development and packaging that attracts customers' attention. You also create and manage adverts and social media campaigns.
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work environment
Brand managers work in various industries, from retail and marketing agencies to wholesale businesses and manufacturing companies. As a brand manager, you work in high-pressure and demanding work environments. Most brand managers work in an office setting and often collaborate with people in various departments. You spend most of the day using computers, fax machines and office telephones. The role may also involve travelling to meet various stakeholders in the industry. The role may involve international travel if you work for a multinational company. Since you can accomplish most of the roles from a phone or computer, remote working is possible.
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who are your colleagues?
As a brand manager, you work with sales managers, sales consultants, marketing managers, production assistant and procurement managers. You may also work with account managers and public relations officers, as well as other specialists that could include events managers and social media managers.
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work schedule
The work schedule of a brand manager is 40 hours a week in full-time positions. As a brand manager, you work regular business hours attending meetings and developing brand strategies. Sometimes, you meet clients or attend conferences in the evenings or during weekends. While most brand managers work full-time, part-time opportunities are available. Some brand managers also work on short-term contracts. As a freelance brand manager, you enjoy flexible work patterns like working from home.
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job outlook
Before you become a brand manager, you join the profession as a junior or assistant brand manager. As you improve your skills, you attain a senior level in the company. From a brand manager role, you can then become a communications manager, public relations officer or marketing director. Some brand managers become consultants and open private practices.
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advantages of finding a brand manager job through randstad
Finding your brand manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a brand manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
You can become a brand manager with the following educational qualifications:
- university course: brand manager roles are open to graduates with a higher national diploma or undergraduate degree in business management or marketing. Other relevant courses include digital marketing, advertising and psychology. When you complete the degree course, join a graduate marketing management scheme to gain experience.
- work experience: to become a brand manager, you require extensive work experience in marketing or digital marketing roles. The experience increases your chances of landing a job.
brand manager skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a brand manager include:
- storytelling skills: as a brand manager, you create content and innovative campaigns that resonate with customers. Storytelling skills help you communicate with your audience and explain the product features.
- multitasking skills: as a brand manager, you juggle marketing and advertising campaigns for various products. Multitasking skills help you handle multiple tasks without compromising the performance of any tasks. With multitasking skills, you oversee various aspects of brand marketing and create a cohesive identity.
- interpersonal skills: having interpersonal skills helps you connect and collaborate with others. Since you work with various professionals, interpersonal skills assist with relationship management. Interpersonal skills make you a good listener and help you understand the needs of your audience.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a brand manager
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what is the role of a brand manager?
A brand manager's role is to ensure a company's products or services match the consumers' needs. You develop strategies to improve a brand's visibility to increase competitiveness and foster customer loyalty.
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what does a brand manager do daily?
A brand manager works with the marketing and production teams to ensure the business processes are consistent with the brand's image. For instance, they ensure the product packaging has the brand name and messaging for instant recognition. They also constantly measure the performance of the strategies.
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what is the difference between a marketing and a brand manager?
A brand manager is in charge of building the image of a company or its products and services. They ensure customers have a positive experience with the brand. A marketing manager is tasked with reaching out to potential clients to introduce a new product or increase sales. That means marketing managers focus on product features while brand managers focus on growing product popularity.
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what skills does a brand manager need?
A brand manager requires analytical skills to understand performance metrics and research data. Creativity also helps you develop original ideas and find innovative strategies for improving brand awareness.
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is a brand manager a good job?
Becoming a brand manager is an exciting role that allows you to help businesses grow and stand out. It is also a lucrative career with a good salary and promising career prospects.
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how do I apply for a brand manager vacancy?
Applying for a brand manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
