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

A career in marketing or sales can be very rewarding. If you’re interested in pursuing a management position in either field, it’s important to understand the similarities and differences between these job titles. In this article, we compare the roles of marketing manager and sales manager, and we provide tips for succeeding in each position.

What is a Marketing Manager?

Marketing Managers develop and oversee marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with sales, public relations and advertising managers to plan and implement marketing strategies. They also develop pricing strategies to help increase sales and profits. Marketing Managers conduct market research to determine what products and services customers want and need. They also develop marketing plans to target specific markets and customers. Marketing Managers often oversee the work of other marketing and sales staff. They may also be responsible for developing and managing budgets.

What is a Sales Manager?

Sales Managers are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the activities of the sales team in an organization. They work with other members of the management team to develop sales strategies and plans that meet the company’s goals. Sales Managers also oversee the training and development of sales staff. They may also be responsible for setting sales targets and quotas for the team, as well as tracking and analyzing sales data to identify trends and opportunities. In some organizations, the Sales Manager may also be responsible for generating new business leads and developing relationships with potential customers.

Marketing Manager vs. Sales Manager

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

Job Duties

Sales and marketing managers share some of their job duties, but they also have unique responsibilities within their roles. Sales managers oversee the process of selling a product or service to a customer. They create strategies for their teams that help them attract and satisfy customers. Marketing managers develop methods for promoting a product or brand, usually before a product or service is released. They create campaigns and plans that sales managers can use when interacting with customers.

Job Requirements

Marketing managers and sales managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing or another related field. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many marketing managers and sales managers pursue certifications through the American Marketing Association (AMA) or the National Sales Management Association (NSMA). These organizations offer training programs that teach professionals how to use marketing and sales software and other tools they might need on the job.

Work Environment

Marketing managers typically work in an office setting, but they may travel to meet with clients and attend conferences. They also spend time working on projects that can be completed at their desk or while traveling. Sales managers often work in a field environment where they travel to visit customers and prospects. This means they’re more likely to work outside of the office than marketing managers.

Skills

Both marketing managers and sales managers use skills like leadership, communication and negotiation. However, they also have different responsibilities that require different skill sets. For example, a marketing manager’s job may involve more research and analysis than a sales manager’s job. Marketing managers need to be able to understand complex data sets and use them to inform their decisions about where to allocate resources. They also need to be able to develop creative solutions to problems and think outside the box to develop new marketing strategies.

Sales managers, on the other hand, need to be very knowledgeable about their company’s products or services and be able to articulate the features and benefits of these offerings to potential customers. They also need to be persuasive and have excellent people skills to build relationships with customers and close deals.

Salary

The average salary for a marketing manager is $79,797 per year, while the average salary for a sales manager is $83,778 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the size of the company, the industry in which you work and the level of experience you have.