Job description
Promotions managers plan and coordinate programmes that combine advertising and purchasing incentives to increase sales of a product or service. They use techniques such as in-store displays, internet advertisements, newspaper flyers and special events to boost consumer interest. These promotional techniques include incentives to buy such as discounts, rebates, samples and contests.
Duties
- Consult with company management and sales and marketing departments on direction for campaigns
- Develop promotional materials and programmes to increase sales of products or services
- Coordinate with financial departments and prepare budget for promotional campaign
- Create media notices and website material announcing special promotions
- Negotiate with media outlets on advertising for sales, contests and other events
- Identify and develop contacts that will help promotional campaigns reach targeted buyers
- Negotiate with venues and vendors needed to implement contests, convention giveaways and other events
- Place internal and external orders for products needed for samples and free gifts
- Hire and train staff, and direct and monitor their activities related to promotional campaigns
- Coordinate with advertising and marketing departments for continuity of message and branding
- Oversee all promotional campaigns and events, ensuring goals, standards and budget are met
- Review costs relative to original budget; estimate the return on investment such as increased sales
- Initiate market research studies to analyse consumer reactions to different events and programmes
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
3%
New jobs
900
Automation risk
3.9%
Career progression
Promotions managers often progress from other advertising and marketing jobs within a company or advertising agency. Achieving strong results for a company's brand, reputation and sales can lead to bigger and more lucrative projects. Some may choose to be self-employed and start their own promotions business.
Your combined work experience in promotions and other areas of advertising provides many different career options. You may transition to other advertising management careers or try your hand at being a PR or fundraising manager. Promotions managers more interested in client interactions may choose to become an account executive.
Working conditions
Average hours
40h/ week
Typical schedule
Full Time
Standard business hours
Promotions managers typically work full time in an office environment during standard business hours. You may travel to meet with clients, media representatives or for events.
Some promotions managers may work overtime to complete administrative tasks or to meet deadlines. The job can include extra pressure from executives, as success of promotional campaigns is integral to the company's financial health.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$57k
Median
$180k
Top 10%
$210k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
Undergraduate
Bachelor’s degree in advertising or related field
Study time
4 years
A bachelor's degree in advertising or a related subject is typically required for promotions managers. Relevant coursework includes marketing, market research, sales, communication and visual arts. Completing an internship is useful for both hands-on experience and potential permanent job leads.
Promotions managers usually work their way up through other advertising and promotions jobs, such as sales representative or PR specialist.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
