ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ

Skip to content Skip to Chat

BUSINESS CAREER GUIDES

Brand Manager Career

OVERVIEW

What is a Brand Manager?


Ìý

Brand managers are responsible for the collective perception of a company’s products or services. They work to develop strategies that set a company apart from competitors while strengthening relationships with customers. The customer and brand relationship is an essential dynamic of marketing, and a valued customer who resonates with a company’s brand is a key factor in longevity. Brand managers maintain positive customer relationships through regular research, development, management, and assessment of a company’s marketing tactics and messaging.ÌýÌý

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Brand Manager Do?

As brand managers work to define, express, and engage the brand of a company, their day-to-day duties include:

  • Researching the marketplace:ÌýA brand manager needs to regularly research the marketplace to remain up to date on industry trends and public perception when defining a company’s brand.
  • Developing marketing strategies:ÌýBrand managers work collaboratively with other marketing professionals, including writers, designers, and analysts, to develop marketing strategies that strengthen their client’s or company’s brand identity.
  • Advising branding teams:ÌýBeing a brand manager often means advising various teams to ensure that the company’s impact remains consistent across all marketing strategies.Ìý
  • Managing various projects:ÌýBrand managers are engaged at all stages of the marketing process and must be able to multitask and navigate from project to project.ÌýÌý
  • Analyzing market data:ÌýA brand manager incorporates theÌýresults of market research data to guideÌýproduct development, pricing, and new product launches.
  • Maintaining strong relationships:ÌýBrand managers collaborate with teams acrossÌýmany departments to effectively answer questions and clarify objectives.Ìý
  • Communicating with colleagues and executives:ÌýSuccessful brand managers are effective and engaging communicators with colleagues and executives alike.

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

How Do I Become a Brand Manager?

The first step to becoming a brand manager is to earn a bachelor’s degree inÌýmarketing. With a bachelor’s degree, you’ll gain essential knowledge of consumer behavior, marketing analytics, branding, content creation, and more. At this point, gaining experience with an internship or entry-level marketing role will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills. Most companies require three to five years of experience in aÌýmarketing roleÌýbefore moving into brand management. Working as a social media manager, digital marketer, or research analyst in the process of becoming a brand manager can only strengthen your understanding of customer satisfaction and successful messaging. To specialize, you may consider earning a professional certification as a certified brand manager (CBM), a certified product manager (CPM), or an agile certified product manager and product owner (ACPMPO). To a greater extent, earning anÌýMBAÌýor aÌýmaster’s degree in marketingÌýwill prepare you to lead a team of marketing professionals andÌýmove into the role of senior brand manager.ÌýÌý

Best Degrees for a Brand Manager

Business
COMPARE

Marketing – B.S.

For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:...

For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:

  • Time: 60%Ìýof graduates finish within 19 months.
  • Tuition:Ìý$3,755 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 37 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:Ìý

  • Communication
  • Marketing
  • Sales
  • Management
  • Project Management
  • Product Management

Marketing is a creative and exciting field—and one where an undergraduate degree will open better opportunities.

Business
COMPARE

Master of Business Administration

The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...

The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:

  • Time:ÌýGraduates can finish in 12 months
  • Tuition:Ìý$4,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses: 11 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:Ìý

  • Leadership strategies
  • Talent management
  • Communication
  • Data collection and interpretation
  • Financial statements

Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.

Business
COMPARE

Marketing – M.S.

Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...

Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.

  • Time:Ìý61%Ìýof graduates finish ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ master's programs in 18 months
  • Tuition:Ìý$4,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses:Ìý10 total courses in this program
  • Specialization:ÌýStudents choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics

Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:

  • Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Digital Marketing Analytics
  • Presentations
  • Market Research
  • Communications

A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.

How Much Does a Brand Manager Make?

$105,000

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a brand manager is $105,000 per year in the U.S. IncomeÌýis largely influenced by education, skills, and experience, with an associate brand manager earning around $93,000 per year and a senior brand manager earning around $177,000.Ìý

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

10%

Brand managers will continue to be in demand as companies maintain and expand their customer base. From 2020 to 2030, the advertising and marketing field is expected to grow byÌý, and the expertise of a brand manager in building a unique story and customer experience will remain a priority.

SKILLS

What Skills Does a Brand Manager Need?

Brand managers typically need to demonstrate the following skills:

  • Research
  • Strategic thinking
  • Quantitative reasoning
  • Excellent writing
  • Strong communication
  • AdaptabilityÌý
  • Proactive problem-solving
  • Trend forecasting
  • Innovative thinking
  • Dynamic leadership

Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long

No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!

Next Start Date
{{startdate}}

Interested in Becoming a Brand Manager?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.