A director of marketing provides strategic guidance and direction to the marketing department of a company. They design and implement marketing strategies, brand guidelines and business goals. They may also oversee the work of a team of marketing managers.

Typical duties of a director of marketing vary depending on the industry and organization, but in most cases they have responsibility for developing and implementing campaigns that drive revenue. These professionals use research, analytics and market analysis to develop strategic marketing plans that are specific to a product or service and its target audience.

They can also use their knowledge of advertising to create creative, interactive content that generates brand awareness and increases sales. Strong problem-solving skills are needed to quickly address issues and provide solutions.

Qualifications to be a director of marketing include a bachelor’s degree in a field like marketing, communications, business or public relations, plus years of professional experience. They also need excellent leadership and communication skills to motivate their team members and guide them in achieving set goals.

Job duties do vary by industry, but a director of marketing often works closely with the sales department to create and implement marketing strategies that increase the number of customers. They also monitor websites for increased traffic, coordinate with freelancers and consultants to avoid duplicated efforts, and manage campaign budgets.

Typically, a director of marketing is promoted from another marketing or management role within the same organization. They may start out as a marketing specialist, such as a digital marketer or content manager, and advance to this position. They may also gain specialized expertise as a director of a specific field, such as social media, branding or e-commerce.

A director of marketing is a senior-level professional in the marketing department and typically reports to the VP of marketing or the chief marketing officer (CMO). They are responsible for developing, articulating and enforcing the company’s marketing strategies across all marketing teams.

To become a director of marketing, it is typically necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree in a subject like marketing, public relations or advertising and then continue on to get a master’s degree in a related field. This can take up to six years minimum and many marketers will have at least ten or more years in a professional marketing role before becoming a director.

The average salary for a director of marketing is $92,311 per year. This position has a growth rate of about 6%, and the total employment for this career is projected to grow as businesses increasingly utilize marketing tactics and brands in a variety of ways to promote their products or services.

In very small companies, there can be a single person in charge of all marketing, and that person is sometimes called a marketing manager or a director of marketing. However, at larger firms, a director of marketing is often in charge of several departments, so they are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies across the entire company.