Marketing Specialist

Ngaio Whakatairanga

This job is sometimes referred to by alternative titles

Marketing specialists develop and implement plans for promoting an organisation's goods and services.

Pay

Marketing specialists with up to two years' experience usually earn

$40K-$70K per year

Marketing specialists with three or more years' experience usually earn

$50K-$75K per year

Source: Hudson, 'Salary and Employment Insights 2014 – Sales, Marketing and Communications', 2014.

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as a marketing specialist are average - while demand for people with digital marketing skills is strong, demand for people with general marketing skills is decreasing.

Length of training

1-3

1-3 years of training usually required

About the job

Pay

Pay rates for marketing specialists vary according to experience and the field you are working in.

Marketing specialists with up to two years' experience usually earn $40,000-$60,000 a year.
Those with three or more years' experience usually earn up to $75,000.
Those working as managers usually earn $80,000-$140,000.

Source: Hudson, 'Salary and Employment Insights 2014 – Sales, Marketing and Communications', 2014.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the figures and diagrams in our job information)

What you will do

Marketing specialists may do some or all of the following:

collect and analyse statistical information such as sales data
arrange market research for products and services
prepare and implement marketing policies and programmes
advise on product pricing, advertising and sales promotion, selling and distribution channels
build relationships with clients.

Skills and knowledge

Marketing specialists need to have knowledge of:

products or services they sell, and the market for those
how to promote products and services
finances, to help with costing the products and services.

Working conditions

Marketing specialists:

usually work regular office hours, but may work weekends and evenings to meet deadlines
usually work in an office environment
may travel to visit clients and potential customers.

What's the job really like?

Lara Signal, Marketing Specialist

It’s not just about numbers

For Lara Signal, marketing is not just about upping sales figures. "The ultimate goal of marketing is connecting with people."

Marketing in community-based organisations

Her focus on people has prompted Lara to work in a number of community-related organisations.

In her first position with the Hamilton City Council, she worked alongside the mayor, helping to write speeches and organise official events.

Lara also worked for a community radio station. "We had six months to raise $100,000 to rebrand and relaunch on a new frequency. Being able to raise this amount from the community was challenging but really satisfying."

Multiple tasks mean time is tight

In her present role in a government organisation, much of Lara’s day is taken up with meetings and projects. "It can sometimes be a challenge finding the time to actually get things done. But I always return the favour when I ask people to do things for me, and that generally helps!"

Lara Signal writing a marketing report

How to enter the job

Entry requirements

To become a marketing specialist, you usually need a Bachelor's degree or a diploma in marketing, business economics, commerce, or in a related field.

A commerce student talks about their course (Video - 1.39 mins)

Secondary education

Four years of secondary school education is usually required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include English, maths with statistics, economics and accounting.

Personal requirements

Marketing specialists need to be:

creative
good at analysing and interpreting information
good at communicating
skilled at organising and planning
able to work well under pressure.

Useful experience

Useful experience for marketing specialists includes working in:

public relations
market research
sales
call centres or other customer service organisations
newspaper, advertising or media agencies.

Find out more about training

New Zealand Marketing Association: (09) 361 7760 - marketing@marketing.org.nz - www.marketing.org.nz
NZ Institute of Management (NZIM): 0800 800 NZIM - national_office@nzim.co.nz - www.nzim.co.nz

Check out related courses

Job opportunities

What are the chances of getting a job?

Good opportunities for marketing specialists with digital marketing skills

Demand is strong for marketing specialists with digital skills as companies are increasingly engaging with their customers through digital channels such as websites, Facebook, blogs and Youtube.

Conversely, demand is decreasing for marketing specialists without digital skills.

Types of employers varied

Marketing specialists may work for:

private or government-owned companies across a range of industries
local and regional government bodies
government departments.

Sources

Hudson, 'Salary and Employment Insights 2014 – Sales, Marketing and Communications', 2014, (www.hudson.com).
Michael Page International, 'Salary and Employment Forecast, 2014/2015', 2015, (www.michaelpage.co.nz).
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, '2003-2012 Occupation Data' (prepared for Careers New Zealand), 2012.