A great Marketing Manager job description does more than list tasks and qualifications—it sets the stage for what the role truly means for your company. It’s your chance to show potential candidates how they’ll make an impact and fit into your team’s dynamic.
Get it right, and you’ll attract candidates who not only meet the qualifications but also thrive in your work environment. Get it wrong, and you might find yourself sifting through piles of irrelevant applications or, worse, onboarding someone who just doesn’t fit.
Considering how central a Marketing Manager is to your brand marketing, campaign execution, and team dynamics, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ahead, you’ll get practical advice on structuring a standout job description that avoids common pitfalls and makes your company a magnet for top talent.
Why a strong job description matters
The right job description does two things well: it draws in the talent you want and filters out the ones you don’t. The stronger the job description, the better your chances of attracting candidates who not only meet the technical requirements but also align with your company's culture and growth vision.
However, many hiring managers fall into common pitfalls that can inadvertently repel strong candidates:
- Vague job expectations: If the responsibilities read like a corporate horoscope—vague and open to interpretation—you’ll attract candidates who work on guesswork, not clear goals.
- Overloaded requirements: Setting unrealistic qualifications can unnecessarily narrow the talent pool, causing you to miss out on high-potential candidates who could grow into the role.
- Lack of clarity on KPIs and career growth: If your JD doesn’t outline what success looks like or how the candidate can evolve within your company, expect them to lose interest fast.
The friction point here is clear: crafting a compelling JD that strikes the right balance between being specific and inspiring is a challenge for many hiring managers. You want to define the role accurately while showcasing why your company is a fantastic place to work, which is no small feat.
💡How MarketerHire cuts through the noise
While a strong Marketing Manager job description is vital, it’s only one part of the hiring equation. You can still attract underqualified candidates with even the best-written JDs, leading to frustrating and lengthy hiring processes. MarketerHire steps in to solve this very problem, connecting you with pre-vetted marketing experts in as little as 48 hours.
Take this scenario:
When a fintech company’s VP of Marketing left unexpectedly, they faced a critical leadership gap. With a lean team juggling lending, investment platform marketing, and corporate brand strategy—all on a $500k+ annual marketing budget—they couldn’t afford a misstep.
Rather than settling for a generic replacement, the company sought a fractional CMO with fintech expertise, investor marketing experience, and the chops to guide a nimble team through a tough transition
Through MarketerHire’s custom matchmaking process, they were introduced to Reggie—a marketing expert with deep fintech and cryptocurrency experience and a track record of success with companies like Blockonomics and Bitrefill.
Reggie delivered immediate impact by:
- Expanding organic reach in Latin American markets.
- Generating $1M+ in revenue through a targeted gift card campaign.
- Launching a major NFT mint on the Base network.
On the initial call, Reggie’s strategic insights and readiness made it clear he was indeed the perfect fit. By Day 1, he was already steering the team with a renewed direction.
Take this as proof of how a strong JD, coupled with MarketerHire’s precision in candidate matching, can turn a potential setback into a serious growth opportunity.
Common Marketing Manager job description mistakes that lead to bad hires
Too broad or too restrictive
A JD that reads like a legal document outlining every possible task under the marketing sun? Hard pass.
When you list everything from "developing global campaigns" to "managing social media DMs," you risk confusing candidates or scaring off good talent. On the flip side, hyper-specific requirements—like needing ten years of experience with a platform that’s barely been around for five—can shrink your talent pool to almost nothing.
Lack of KPIs or clear expectations
If your JD doesn’t spell out how success is measured—whether it’s lead generation, brand engagement, or sales pipeline growth—you’re basically inviting misalignment. Candidates might walk in thinking their priority is boosting social media followers when you actually need someone who can drive sales-qualified leads. And that gap? It’ll show up in missed targets and wasted time.
Core components of a Marketing Manager job description
An effective Marketing Manager JD should encompass the following elements:
Job title: Keep it straightforward. "Marketing Manager" or "Growth Marketer” works. "Marketing Rockstar"? Not so much. Clear titles prevent confusion and set the right expectations from the start.
Job summary: Paint a quick but vivid picture of the role. Why does this position matter? How will it drive your company's growth? Be specific—vagueness is a missed opportunity to connect with the right candidates.
Key responsibilities: Avoid laundry lists. Instead, group responsibilities by impact areas:
- Strategy and planning. Crafting marketing strategies that don’t just look good on paper but actually drive results.
- Execution and management. Leading campaigns from ideation to execution—whether it's a killer ad strategy, engaging content, or smart organic growth initiatives.
- Analytics and performance. Tracking what works, ditching what doesn’t, and continually optimizing for better ROI.
- Cross-functional collaboration. Making sure sales, product, and leadership are all on the same page—and that the page is a successful marketing strategy.
Skills and qualifications: Don’t just list buzzwords. Highlight what truly matters:
- Required: Proven experience, real-world marketing chops, and a sharp analytical mindset.
- Preferred: Leadership skills and know-how with marketing automation tools—these can elevate good marketers into great ones.
💡Instead of wading through applications, MarketerHire connects directly with marketing pros who’ve already been vetted.
ApparelMagic’s experience is proof. They needed a strategic marketing lead and, through MarketerHire, found Katya—a seasoned Growth Marketer who transformed their scattered marketing efforts into a unified, high-performing strategy. The result? A 53% boost in leads and a noticeable uptick in brand engagement.
Marketing Manager job description templates
Below are customizable templates for general and industry-specific roles, including SaaS, ecommerce, startups, and marketing and advertising agencies.
General Marketing Manager job description template
Job title: Marketing Manager
Job summary:
We're seeking an experienced Marketing Manager to lead our marketing initiatives and drive brand growth. This role will be responsible for developing marketing plans, managing cross-functional teams, and measuring the performance of online marketing campaigns. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, creativity, and proven experience in driving measurable results.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategy and planning: Develop comprehensive marketing strategies that align with business goals.
- Execution and management: Oversee content creation, digital marketing, and promotional activities.
- Analytics and performance: Monitor campaign performance and optimize marketing channels.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with sales, product development, and leadership teams to align marketing strategies.
Skills and qualifications:
- Required: 3-5 years of experience in marketing, strong analytical skills, expertise in digital marketing channels.
- Preferred: Leadership experience, familiarity with marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo).
KPIs:
- Lead generation
- Brand awareness and engagement
- Campaign ROI
SaaS Marketing Manager job description template
Job title: SaaS Marketing Manager
Job summary:
We're looking for a dynamic SaaS Marketing Manager with a strong track record in B2B software marketing. The role involves creating growth marketing strategies, managing customer acquisition campaigns, and driving subscription revenue. This position is ideal for a data-driven marketer with expertise in lifecycle marketing and product marketing.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategy and planning: Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for new software features and products.
- Execution and management: Lead demand generation campaigns and enhance customer retention through targeted strategies.
- Analytics and performance: Analyze customer behavior and refine marketing strategies based on data and customer insights.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with product, sales, and customer success teams to ensure alignment.
Skills and qualifications:
- Required: Experience in SaaS marketing, proficiency with CRM and automation tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot), and knowledge of the buyer’s journey.
- Preferred: Experience with product-led growth models and subscription-based marketing strategies.
KPIs:
- Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) growth
- Customer acquisition cost (CAC)
- User engagement and retention metrics
Ecommerce Marketing Manager job description template
Job title: Ecommerce Marketing Manager
Job summary:
We're searching for an Ecommerce Marketing Manager to optimize our online sales channels and boost conversion rates. This role will focus on digital merchandising, performance marketing, and driving traffic through paid and organic channels.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategy and planning: Develop ecommerce strategies that enhance online sales and customer engagement.
- Execution and management: Manage digital marketing campaigns across platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and social media.
- Analytics and performance: Use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Semrush) to measure and improve campaign performance.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Work with product teams to ensure that marketing strategies align with merchandising goals.
Skills and qualifications:
- Required: Experience in ecommerce marketing, knowledge of digital merchandising and CRO techniques, expertise in performance marketing.
- Preferred: Familiarity with eCommerce platforms and analytics tools.
KPIs:
- Sales conversion rate
- Average order value (AOV)
- Website traffic and engagement
Startup Marketing Manager job description template
Job title: Startup Marketing Manager
Job summary:
Join our fast-growing startup as a Marketing Manager. We're looking for a versatile marketer who can handle everything from strategy development to hands-on execution. You’ll play a pivotal role in driving brand awareness and lead generation in a dynamic, agile environment.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategy and planning: Develop and execute scrappy, budget-conscious marketing strategies.
- Execution and management: Manage all marketing activities, including social media, content creation, and event marketing.
- Analytics and performance: Implement data-driven approaches to improve campaign efficiency and effectiveness.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with founders and product teams to create impactful marketing initiatives.
Skills and qualifications:
- Required: Ability to thrive in a startup environment, strong multitasking and growth marketing skills, experience in digital marketing.
- Preferred: Growth hacking experience and a hands-on approach to execution.
KPIs:
- Lead generation and conversion
- Brand awareness growth
- Cost per acquisition (CPA)
Agency Marketing Manager job description template
Job title: Agency Marketing Manager
Job summary:
We're seeking an experienced Agency Marketing Manager to lead client marketing strategies and manage multi-channel campaigns. This role involves building strong client relationships, delivering on campaign KPIs, and ensuring that marketing strategies align with client business goals.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategy and planning: Create bespoke marketing strategies for agency clients across diverse industries.
- Execution and management: Oversee campaign execution, including content, paid media, and social strategies.
- Analytics and performance: Provide clients with detailed performance reports and actionable insights.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with creative, sales, and account management teams to meet client expectations.
Skills and qualifications:
- Required: Agency experience, proficiency in digital marketing channels, and strong communication skills.
- Preferred: Experience in managing client accounts and delivering measurable results.
KPIs:
- Client satisfaction and retention
- Campaign ROI
- New client acquisition
Where JDs go wrong
When job description templates aren’t tailored to your industry, you risk attracting candidates with mismatched skills and experience. This misalignment can slow down hiring, lead to costly mishires, and disrupt the plans of your B2B marketing team.
Instead, take the time to tweak templates to fit your company’s specific needs. You’ll draw in candidates with the right qualifications, plus find people who understand your industry’s nuances and can hit the ground running.
KPIs and performance metrics
Including specific KPIs in your job description sets the stage for performance reviews while aligning expectations from Day 1. Think of it as a filter for finding capable candidates you actually want.
Here's what to include:
- Lead generation and conversion rates: Beyond simply running campaigns, a strong Channel Marketing Manager should be able to generate leads and optimize conversion rates through strategic planning and data-driven methods.
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and marketing ROI: Knowing how to balance spend with returns is critical. The right candidate will focus on cost-efficiency while maintaining lead quality.
- Campaign performance: Click-through rates, engagement metrics, brand awareness—these indicate how well marketing strategies are resonating with your target audiences.
- Sales pipeline contribution: Marketing and sales shouldn't operate in silos. A capable Marketing Manager will work closely with sales teams to ensure that marketing activities directly contribute to revenue growth.
Tips to make your job descriptions more attractive to top talent
- Make culture tangible. Instead of vague claims about company culture, paint a picture of what it’s like to work with your marketing team. Talk about how marketing influences business growth and how success is celebrated.
- Use clear, engaging language. Steer clear of jargon and overly prescriptive requirements. A good JD isn’t a wish list; it’s a focused overview of what matters most.
- Be upfront about pay. In a market where transparency matters, sharing a salary range can prevent mismatched expectations and save time on both sides.
- Prioritize inclusive, accessible JDs. Be intentional with your language to attract a diverse talent pool. Aim for inclusivity—not just because it’s the right thing to do but because it widens your net for great candidates.
- Don't overload: It’s tempting to create a JD that covers every possible skill, but this can backfire. Instead of listing every possible skill and responsibility, focus on what is truly essential and distinguish between “must-have” and “nice-to-have” qualifications.
Hire the right Marketing Manager through MarketerHire
Crafting the perfect job description is just the first step. The real challenge? Sifting through resumes, evaluating soft skills, finding a Marketing Manager who can drive real business results—all without draining your time and patience.
MarketerHire makes it easy. We connect you with pre-vetted marketing pros and SEO experts who fit your needs, fast. No more wading through endless applications—our smart matching process handles the heavy lifting, delivering top talent ready to make an impact.
Contact MarketerHire and see how effortless hiring can be with MarketerHire.