Do you like starting and carrying out projects? Do you enjoy leading others, making decisions, and taking risks for big rewards? Working as a marketing coordinator might be the perfect career for you.
Marketing coordinators design, coordinate, and help execute various marketing activities and initiatives of an organization. They conduct market research and create engaging promotional campaign content such as creating graphics, blog posts, and social media posts. They evaluate current marketing trends, identify consumer needs and target audiences, and assist in the development of marketing plans and advertising strategies to achieve organizational goals.
Sample job description
The ideal candidate for our marketing coordinator position is a self-starter with excellent attention to detail and the ability to pivot between creative and analytical assignments. Ideally, you will have a passion for social media, an understanding of copywriting, and a good sense of design. You need to have the ability to problem solve, be technically savvy with the ability to learn new programs and website platforms, and be curious about numbers and analytics. [Your Company Name] is passionate about our industry, and we’re looking for someone to showcase that through their marketing skills.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Designing and executing strategic marketing initiatives and activities
- Implementing marketing plans such as print, broadcast, and social media content
- Creating branded advertising campaigns
- Coordinating and tracking marketing and online activities
- Researching, analyzing, and summarizing market trends
- Managing print contractors and other promotional vendors
- Maintaining strict confidentiality of sensitive information
- Providing detailed reports on budget expenses to the marketing manager
- Keeping up-to-date on industry activities and trends
Education and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field
- Two years experience in marketing
Required skills and qualifications
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills
- Attention to detail
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Knowledge of traditional and digital marketing tools
- Self-starter who is able to meet deadlines
- Strong analytical skills
- Knowledge of research methods of data analysis
- High degree of creativity
Preferred qualifications
- Experience as a marketing coordinator or relevant role
- Experience with SEM/SEO campaigns
- Experience working with software for customer relationships and content management
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and web editing software
- Experience with research methods using data analytics software
Typical work environment
Marketing coordinators generally work in an office environment and spend much of their day meeting with their team, outside vendors, and direct supervisors. They work closely with the marketing director or vice president of marketing evaluating and developing new marketing strategies and often give presentations. They normally sit for long periods of time at a desk and engage in frequent phone calls. Many marketing coordinators work from home several days a week. Some marketing coordinator positions require travel.
Typical hours
Most marketing coordinators work full-time during normal business hours. They might have to work early or late to attend meetings or conference calls. They might also have to work overtime and weekends to meet critical deadlines.
Available certifications
Marketing coordinators work in various industries, so many institutions offer certifications. Here are some of the top certifications for marketing coordinators:
- Professional Certified Marketer (PCM). The American Marketing Association’s Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) program covers key areas of marketing, such as digital marketing, marketing management, content marketing, and sales marketing. The course was developed with input from hundreds of marketing experts and meets strict national professional certification criteria and standards for excellence in marketing. Although there are no eligibility requirements for the PCM, it is advantageous for PCM candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree and 4 years of marketing experience or 7 years of marketing experience without a 4-year degree.
- Google Ads Certification. The Google Ads certification demonstrates that you have basic and advanced knowledge of Google Ads, including online advertising concepts like the value proposition of online advertising; campaign setup and management; measurement; and optimization. Certification requires passing the Google Ads Fundamentals assessment and one additional advertising product assessment, such as Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Mobile Advertising, Video Advertising, and Shopping Advertising. Certification remains valid until the product area certification expires. The certifications are valid for 1 year and you are required to retake and pass the certification assessment to keep your certification valid.
- OMCP Digital Marketing Certification. This advanced certification is for experienced candidates who can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of digital marketing best practices across multiple digital marketing disciplines. There are no prerequisites to the OMCP exams, but in order to be certified, you will have to pass the exams and have at least one of the following: 5000 hours of marketing experience, a bachelor’s degree with at least 2000 hours of experience, or completion of an approved digital marketing course with at least 1000 hours of experience.
Career path
The first step to becoming a marketing coordinator is to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field. Students pursuing a marketing coordinator career should consider internships with marketing companies to gain experience while still in school.
Entry-level marketing jobs for recent graduates typically involve basic tasks such as assisting with research, customer service, performing administrative tasks, and reporting to managers. After gaining several years of experience, those employees who show leadership traits, attention to detail, and are self-motivated, are often promoted into the role of marketing coordinator where they develop and execute marketing strategies, establish processes, and develop a marketing team.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 27-3042
| 2020 Employment | 316,800 |
| Projected Employment in 2022 | 348,600 |
| Projected 2019-2029 Percentage Shift | 10% increase |
| Projected 2019-2029 Numeric Shift | 31,800 increase |
Position trends
As the digital marketing industry continues to grow, automation and machine learning are considered to be the future in the digital marketing world. With companies like Google automating marketing strategies, market coordinators can take advantage of this and choose market strategies that are more specific to the needs of the organization and will more easily help them attain their marketing goals. The trend toward mobile spending has increased dramatically over the last year and a half as more people have transitioned to working from home. This trend is expected to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. More and more people are shopping and buying online via their mobile phones, and marketing coordinators will need to continue to focus on cross-device and cross-platform conversions.