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

A career in marketing can be both exciting and challenging. There are many different job titles within the field, each with their own set of responsibilities. If you’re interested in a career in marketing, you may be wondering what the difference is between a marketing coordinator and marketing specialist. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between these two positions and offer advice on how to choose the right role for you.

What is a Marketing Coordinator?

Marketing Coordinators develop and oversee marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They work with company leadership to determine campaign goals, then create strategies and tactics to achieve those goals. They often manage a team of marketing specialists who execute the day-to-day tasks associated with the campaign. Marketing Coordinators track campaign progress and results, and they adjust the plan as needed to ensure the desired outcome is achieved. They also collaborate with other departments, such as sales, to ensure that campaigns are aligned with companywide objectives.

What is a Marketing Specialist?

Marketing Specialists are responsible for planning, developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote a company’s products or services. They work with marketing teams to create and implement marketing plans, develop creative materials, track results and analyze data to determine the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Marketing Specialists also conduct research to understand customer needs and develop targeted marketing strategies. They may also be responsible for managing budgets, coordinating with vendors and overseeing the production of marketing materials.

Marketing Coordinator vs. Marketing Specialist

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

Job Duties

Marketing coordinators typically have more varied job duties than marketing specialists. Marketing coordinators often manage campaigns from start to finish, but they may also perform other tasks related to the campaign’s success. For example, a marketing coordinator might plan a campaign, execute it and analyze its results.

Marketing specialists usually only perform tasks related to their specific expertise. For example, a marketing specialist who specializes in digital marketing might create a campaign, choose channels to promote it and monitor its performance. They rarely perform tasks outside of their expertise.

Job Requirements

The job requirements for marketing coordinators and marketing specialists 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 experience in customer service, sales or another related field. Marketing coordinators and marketing specialists can also pursue certifications through professional organizations, such as the American Marketing Association (AMA) or the Institute for Advertising Ethics (IAE). These certifications can help professionals stand out to potential employers and show that they are committed to ethical marketing practices.

Work Environment

Marketing coordinators typically work in an office setting, often for larger companies. They may also travel to attend conferences and meet with clients. Marketing specialists usually work in a more relaxed environment, such as a studio or small business. They may also work from home on occasion.

Both marketing professionals may work long hours during busy seasons or when they have large projects. However, marketing coordinators may spend more time in the office than marketing specialists because of their managerial role.

Skills

Both marketing coordinators and marketing specialists use project management skills to plan and execute marketing campaigns. They also both need to have excellent communication skills to interact with clients, vendors and colleagues. Marketing coordinators may benefit from having customer service skills as they often work closely with customers and clients. And, because they are responsible for managing budgets, marketing coordinators need to have strong financial skills.

Marketing specialists typically focus on one area of marketing, such as digital marketing or market research. As a result, they may develop more specialized skills related to their area of focus. For example, a digital marketing specialist may benefit from having web development skills or experience using digital marketing tools and platforms. A market research specialist may need to have survey design skills and experience using data analysis software.

Salary

The average salary for a marketing coordinator is $54,424 per year, while the average salary for a marketing specialist is $64,195 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has.