Marketing Coordinator vs. Marketing Manager: What Are the Differences?

Marketing coordinators and marketing managers are both important roles in the marketing field. Though they share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two positions. In this article, we discuss the differences between a marketing coordinator and a marketing manager, and we provide additional marketing professions you may be interested in pursuing.

What is a Marketing Coordinator?

Marketing Coordinators support the Marketing team by performing a variety of tasks, including conducting market research, managing advertising campaigns, creating promotional materials, organizing events, and coordinating projects. They often work closely with other departments, such as Sales, to ensure that marketing efforts are aligned with company goals. Marketing Coordinators typically have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, or a related field. They should be detail-oriented, organized, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

What is a Marketing Manager?

Marketing Managers are responsible for planning, developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote a company’s products or services. They work with other members of the marketing team to create cohesive campaigns that will achieve the desired results. Marketing Managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field. They must also have several years of experience in the marketing field to be considered for this position. Marketing Managers typically work in an office environment, but they may also travel to meet with clients or attend industry events.

Marketing Coordinator vs. Marketing Manager

Here are the main differences between a marketing coordinator and a marketing manager.

Job Duties

Marketing coordinators typically manage lower-level tasks within a marketing department. They’re responsible for carrying out the directives of their marketing manager or other higher-ranking executives and may help develop short-term marketing strategies. Marketing coordinators often assist with campaign details, such as which products a company will offer, how they’ll be marketed and to whom they’ll be sold.

In contrast, marketing managers oversee many different aspects of a company’s marketing efforts. They make sure that each campaign is successful and that each marketing coordinator has the resources they need to succeed. In addition, marketing managers often create long-term marketing plans for their companies, deciding which goals they should strive to meet and what tactics they’ll use to reach those goals.

Job Requirements

The job requirements for marketing coordinators and marketing managers vary depending on the employer, but most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration or a related field. Additionally, many employers prefer candidates with several years of experience working in marketing or a related field. Some employers also require marketing coordinators and marketing managers to have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or a related field.

Marketing coordinators and marketing managers typically need strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. They should also be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines. Additionally, they need to be familiar with various marketing concepts, principles and strategies. Familiarity with computer programs, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, is also helpful.

Work Environment

Marketing coordinators typically work in an office setting, but they may also travel to meet with clients and vendors. They often spend their days creating marketing plans, researching new products and services and attending meetings. Marketing managers usually work in an office environment as well, but they may have more responsibilities that require them to travel for business purposes. For example, a marketing manager who works for a large company might attend trade shows or conferences to promote their brand.

Skills

There are several similarities in the skills used by marketing coordinators and marketing managers. Both roles require excellent communication skills, as they need to be able to interact with clients, vendors and colleagues. They also both need to have strong organizational skills to keep track of deadlines, projects and campaigns. Marketing coordinators and marketing managers also both need to be proficient in using various software programs, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.

There are also some differences in the skills used by marketing coordinators and marketing managers. Marketing coordinators typically need to have event planning experience, as they often are responsible for coordinating trade shows, conferences and other events. They also need to have budgeting skills to stay within the allocated budget for their projects. Marketing managers, on the other hand, need to have more strategic thinking skills. They develop marketing plans and campaigns and need to be able to think about the big picture while also paying attention to the details. They also need to have leadership skills to manage and motivate a team of marketing coordinators and other staff.

Salary

Marketing coordinators earn an average salary of $54,424 per year, while marketing managers earn an average salary of $79,797 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has prior to taking the position.