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Job outlook for directors, product marketing in the United States
Director, product marketing job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected director, product marketing job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 33,700 new jobs for directors, product marketing are projected over the next decade.
Director, product marketing salaries have increased 8% for directors, product marketing in the last 5 years.
There are over 41,080 directors, product marketing currently employed in the United States.
There are 173,038 active director, product marketing job openings in the US.
The average director, product marketing salary is $141,699.
Are director, product marketing jobs in demand?
Director, product marketing job and salary trends over time
Director, product marketing jobs over time
Director, product marketing job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41,080 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 39,828 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 38,867 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 35,442 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 32,277 | 0.01% |
Average director, product marketing salary over time
Director, product marketing salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $141,699 | $68.12 | +3.9% |
| 2025 | $136,397 | $65.58 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $133,846 | $64.35 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $131,792 | $63.36 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $130,746 | $62.86 | +1.9% |
Director, product marketing jobs by state
Most common states for directors, product marketing
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 419 | 60% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,034 | 33% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 944 | 31% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,036 | 30% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,468 | 29% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 393 | 29% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,572 | 28% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 162 | 28% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 205 | 27% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,439 | 26% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,087 | 26% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 499 | 26% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 265 | 25% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 218 | 25% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 158 | 25% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 3,081 | 24% |
| 17 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,480 | 24% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 175 | 24% |
| 19 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 726 | 23% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 313 | 23% |
Most common cities for directors, product marketing
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Englewood | 1 | 3% | $117,266 |
| 2 | Santa Clara | 2 | 2% | $176,414 |
| 3 | Newark | 1 | 2% | $176,578 |
| 4 | Urbandale | 1 | 2% | $128,862 |
| 5 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $138,529 |
| 6 | Brockton | 1 | 1% | $138,449 |
| 7 | Cary | 1 | 1% | $126,007 |
| 8 | Milpitas | 1 | 1% | $176,351 |
| 9 | Plymouth | 1 | 1% | $111,999 |
| 10 | Santa Monica | 1 | 1% | $166,998 |
| 11 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $127,512 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $166,877 |
| 13 | Raleigh | 2 | 0% | $126,088 |
| 14 | San Jose | 2 | 0% | $176,175 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $133,812 |
| 16 | New York | 1 | 0% | $138,770 |
| 17 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $177,228 |
Director, Product Marketing job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director, product marketing experts
Idaho State University
University of Saint Mary
Towson University
The Pennsylvania State University
Auburn University-Montgomery
Auburn University-Montgomery
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Tusculum University
Delta State University
Old Dominion University
Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage
Western New England University
University of Virginia
James Madison University
Miami University
Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The College of St. Scholastica
Menlo College
Roger Williams University
Indiana University
John Ney
Assistant Marketing Professor, Director of Professional Development & Sales ExcellenceIdaho State University
College of Business
What skills will help Directors, Product Marketing earn the most?
John Ney: -Sales skills - Most sales jobs are commission-based, and they are not capped.
-Everybody sells! Sales are really about building relationships, so having people and communication skills can really pay off!
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs, Coordinator of All-University Honors ProgramUniversity of Saint Mary
Division of Business and Information Technologies (DBiT)
What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors, Product Marketing?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: Familiarity with software-basic windows packages, particularly MS Word and Excel. Candidates should not be afraid of quantitative data analysis. Analytics are necessary to figuring out what your business is doing and how it can grow. Also, familiarity with whatever social media platforms are used in that industry can be very important.
What skills will help Directors, Product Marketing earn the most?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: One consideration is, does the position pay commission? If so, the soft skills listed above are extremely important because the more you apply those skills, the more likely you are to grow your business.
When a manager is not on commission, there's little correlation between skills and pay while doing the job. The employer will hire you at a given salary level, and it is your job to negotiate to the best position. Once they have chosen you-that's the moment when you have the most leverage. You will never get a raise that is as substantial as what you might be able to ask for upon hire. After that, most raises are not going to be tied mechanically to performance and skills. Your next chance at a raise will be when you move or are promoted to a new position. Thus, those soft skills can affect your ability to negotiate.
I will repeat a previous theme: education and experience are probably more important than skills in terms of making more money. An employer can't really tell what your skills are from your resume. Just because you say you have a skill doesn't mean that you really do. They can reasonably guess that somebody with a degree is responsible enough to have accomplished something big. Somebody who makes it through a graduate program is probably very good at what they know. And somebody who has been in the industry and/or in a similar job is more likely to be able to walk in with little orientation and know what they are doing. Employers take risks on employees and hope that they can deliver. Thus, with more education and more experience, you are able to apply for higher-level jobs, which usually come with higher salaries.
What skills stand out on Director, Product Marketing resumes?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: Resumes are hard. It is very difficult to predict what any employer is looking for on any resume. The "skills" section of a resume is probably not the first thing most employers are looking at. The first consideration is probably education. Those with a bachelor's degree will be sorted first in fields-such as those who have business degrees, or particularly sales and marketing majors. Those with MBAs will be placed on the top. Those who have MBAs and marketing concentrations will likely be valued the most. The second consideration would probably be experience. Someone with several years of experience in business development or sales and marketing will be moved to the top. Someone with a bachelor's degree who has a lot of experience might beat out a fresh MBA. However, MBA plus experience beats almost everything. Someone with an MBA going for an entry-level position with little experience needed will likely beat out all bachelor challengers. For new graduates, getting some kind of internship in sales and marketing can differentiate them from those who do not.
Most hiring managers will probably assume that somebody who has sales and marketing education and/or experience probably has the skills necessary to do the job. An interviewer may probe on specific skills. I'll comment more specifically on other kinds of skills below, but it's also fair to say that a candidate's soft skills should shine in the interview. Simply saying that you have certain skills on a resume doesn't mean that you actually have them.
I think that the best thing a candidate can do is to research the company they hope to work for and tailor their resume to that employer. What does the business do? What kinds of things do you think that development manager is going to do in that particular industry? How do your skills as a candidate match what you guess they're looking for? The more you customize your resume, the better chances you have of resonating with the company. Employers are impressed when you already know something about the job and the industry.
What soft skills should all Directors, Product Marketing possess?
Dr. Mark Harvey Ph.D.: First, critical and creative thinking. Employers value problem solvers. A Business Development Managers' problem usually is finding growth opportunities. Candidates need to learn to take the initiative to figure out how to solve problems like those.
Second, writing. The best employees know how to communicate in writing. More and more communication occurs through email and other forms of social media and apps, and as such, this skill is absolutely critical. You don't need to be a creative writing genius, but you do need to know how to write in a professional tone, present your ideas in an organized way, get to the point, and avoid errors. There is a direct line between a student's ability to write an academic essay with a clear thesis and an employee's ability to write a good email or proposal. If you can't do those things, then you risk embarrassment and possibly limited options for promotion.
Third, speaking. The American business world discriminates against introverts-sometimes at their own peril. Everyone needs to know how to give a quality speech, but more importantly, you need to sound confident and assertive in a board room during meetings. You need to be confident in front of clients. Fake it if you have to. The way you present yourself is absolutely critical.
Fourth, social skills. You need to be friendly. Get to know co-workers and clients. Find out what they like and show an interest. Find common ground. Your undergraduate degree hopefully exposed you to a wide diversity of topics you may have thought were irrelevant at some point. Now is the time to remember that stuff and use it to connect with people. Nearly everything you learned will have some application someday. It will help you connect with others. In addition, put away your cell phone when you are at work or on social occasions. To some people, a preoccupation with a cell phone communicates a lack of interest in the person you are with. It can alienate bosses, co-workers, and clients.
Erin Steffes Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorTowson University
Marketing Department
What skills stand out on Director, Product Marketing resumes?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: Entry-level marketing positions span a wide range of responsibilities, and as such, there are many different skill sets depending on the job itself. For example, many recent grads will pursue a position in digital marketing wherein proficiencies in search engine optimization, online advertising, web design, and data analytics are key skill sets. On the other hand, many recent grads pursue a career in sales wherein proficiencies in business development, networking, personal selling, and data analytics are valued. Someone hiring for a general marketing coordinator position would likely look for a candidate with a solid understanding of marketing theory and excellent critical and creative thinking skills.
What soft skills should all Directors, Product Marketing possess?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: Students often underestimate the importance of soft skills. To succeed in a marketing career, you need to be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, work well in a team environment, use critical and creative thinking, and get along with others. On an individual level, successful marketers are typically good time managers, decisive, adaptable to change, good listeners, and open to feedback. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in one's career progression and success.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors, Product Marketing?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: As a science and an art, marketing utilizes both soft skills and technical skills on a daily basis. While some technologies are industry-specific, having an understanding and basic mastery of data analysis, statistics, data visualization, digital marketing, marketing research, and customer relationship management will position a candidate well.
What skills will help Directors, Product Marketing earn the most?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: At the end of the day, firms want to hire candidates that will contribute value over the long term and are adaptable to change. Demonstrating that you have the skills to do the job at hand while signaling that you are willing to contribute to the team is critical in landing that first job. One of the most important lessons for a job candidate or new hire is to eliminate the notion that something "is not my job." Your new career will give you many opportunities to create value for your customers, your colleagues, or the firm as a whole, many of which may lie beyond your immediate scope of responsibility.
James Wilkerson Ph.D.
Business Program Coordinator, Project and Supply Chain Management Program CoordinatorThe Pennsylvania State University
Business Department
What skills stand out on Director, Product Marketing resumes?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Skills, experience, knowledge, and abilities that matter especially strongly include target market analysis (including market research skills and knowledge), product/service positioning within competitive field, project work or coordination with sales staff, major client relationship management, and enough general business and industry knowledge to be able to relate business development to operational/production realities.
What soft skills should all Directors, Product Marketing possess?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Verbal skills (both speaking and writing), negotiation skills, unfailing honesty, ability to empathize with clients' wants, and teamwork skills suitable for working collaboratively with sales and operations staff.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors, Product Marketing?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Spreadsheet (Excel) skills (including graph production from data), basic statistical knowledge, and online information search skills.
What skills will help Directors, Product Marketing earn the most?
James Wilkerson Ph.D.: Skill at rapidly learning market trends, relating business development to product development, and persuading major prospective clients when brought in to help with closing sales. Bottom line: the business development manager must be on the cutting edge of new market conditions and new business opportunities to help the firm organically grow its sales, especially in new markets or product/service lines.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Jeff Bates: I believe there will be an impact on everyone, but especially our younger generation, as we progress into the Covid future. The current students have entered into a new realm of attending college and will face similar challenges in entering the workplace. The traditional method of interviewing, learning a new job, and even interacting with co-workers will be altered in at least the near future. Graduates will need much greater on-line communication skills and will probably need to be more self-taught in their new positions instead of learning from in-person mentoring.
What's a day at work look like for a Director, Product Marketing?
Jeff Bates: As Covid has spread across the world, we have seen companies find alternative methods to allow their businesses to continue being productive. According to Jeremy Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, we are scheduled to have one of the most robust economies that has occurred in a very long time over the next few years. Graduates will acclimate themselves and I believe will probably find the new work environment easier to handle than workers that have been more accustomed to the way business was done in the past. The current generation of graduates has grown up in a tech heavy world so they should be comfortable in this new environment of the workplace that relies heavily on Zoom and other non-traditional methods. It is very likely that the recent graduates will work at least part time remotely. In some instances, we are seeing people find themselves working for a company that is located in another state or even another country without ever going to the office in person. This trend is very likely to continue and grow.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Jeff Bates: The same thing will help people in any field continue to increase their earning potential as in the past. If an employee can find a way to differentiate themselves in a positive manner and make themselves valuable or even invaluable to their company, they should see increased earnings potential. Learning a foreign language, computer skills such as Excel, good math skills, and the ability to communicate will prove to be extremely important in advancing one's career.
Mary Kiker Ph.D.
Professor of ManagementAuburn University-Montgomery
Department of Business Administration
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director, Product Marketing job market given the pandemic?
Mary Kiker Ph.D.: Yes, I think there will be an enduring impact of the pandemic on graduates. They now realize that life can change drastically in an instant. They realized that they had to change their behavior, be flexible, and they realized that circumstances out of their control will impact their life dramatically.
What soft skills should all Directors, Product Marketing possess?
Mary Kiker Ph.D.: A good job is one that graduating students can get in their field of study making a decent salary. There are many "good" jobs out there. If you're asking about high-paying jobs or in-demand jobs, then those are most likely in the IT sector.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Mary Kiker Ph.D.: For people in human resource management, earning an HR certification will increase their earning potential (SHRM-CP or PHR).
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Weichu Xu Ph.D.: There are enduring impact of the covid-19 pandemic on graduate. We have students who are not get used to online classes and asked for suspension for one semester or one year. Some students ever dropped out of school. This will greatly delayed their normal schedule to graduate and their future career.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors, Product Marketing?
Weichu Xu Ph.D.: We are designed some certifications to our students after they finish several classes together. For example, soft skills certification after finished business communication, organizational leadership, human resource management, organizational behaviors and team management classes etc. Project management certification after students finish relevant project management classes and pass PMP test. Data analysis certification with SAS after students finish basic data analysis using SAS, advanced data analysis using SAS, Data mining using SAS, machine learning using SAS and data visualization using SAS.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Weichu Xu Ph.D.: We believe the bachelor degree is only give students the general knowledge to begin their career. Soft skills(good communication, leadership and team work), project management knowledge and data analysis, etc., are very important to the students' success. Google had a project showed its employees are more successful because of their soft skills.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Joshua Ray Ph.D.: The COVID response for graduates and for businesses generally is still uncertain but early indications suggest thinking about remote work, leveraging of technology, and entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial inclinations have changed considerably and are likely to persist. Folks who are entering the workforce post-COVID will have to develop a level of comfort working in distributed teams, relying on virtual tools, and initiating and developing innovation.
What's a good job out of college for Directors, Product Marketing?
Joshua Ray Ph.D.: A considerable amount of anecdotal evidence suggests more people are considering entrepreneurial ventures as COVID uncovered some of the faults in relying on employers for job security. Other pressing issues, including environmental, healthcare, and sustainability concerns, suggest related fields will see growth in the coming years. Additionally, a specific need for supply chain contributors is imminent because of the tremendous strain COVID put on distribution channels and the significant rise in web-based commerce.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Joshua Ray Ph.D.: For several years my conversations with employers concerning graduate preparation have centered around problem-solving skills and attitude. Employers desperately need employees how can identify, define, analyze, and solve business issues in real-time and who have the demeanor to work well with people inside and outside the organization. These skills also serve entrepreneurial minded individuals. More specific skills in technology, analytics, and leadership have been, and continue to be, highly sought after.
What soft skills should all Directors, Product Marketing possess?
Lisa Cooley: Soft skills are probably the number one topic we hear from employers. It's crazy how many young people don't have these basic skills. I'm not sure if this is the result of technology and not having to interact directly with people or if it's just something that isn't being taught as well. The most basic soft skill that graduates should possess would be the ability to communicate effectively (both in-person and virtually). Our student should know the importance of making eye contact, providing verbal and nonverbal cues, etc. However, I think one issue that a lot of young people have is focusing on the task-at-hand. There are so many distractions and interruptions that we become easily distracted. We need to learn to shut out the noise and focus. For example, don't look at your phone while you're having a conversation. Additionally, I have heard from employers that recent graduates aren't able to do basic tasks (like address an envelope or answer a business phone). These are things that seem very basic, but if we aren't explaining this to our students, they miss some very critical skills. Although online courses can be very effectives, it's often a challenge to address these soft-skills in an online environment.
How have salaries changed over time for Directors, Product Marketing?
Lisa Cooley: Salaries have certainly improved since I have been in the field. However, the biggest change I have seen is the type of jobs that are available. I teach marketing and there is such a high demand for employees who understand digital marketing. I think when students are able to effectively market a business online, they can demand a higher salary. This is one of those unique situations where recent college grads often have an advantage over seasoned marketing executives.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director, Product Marketing job market given the pandemic?
Lisa Cooley: Obviously, we are seeing a lot more flexibility in terms of virtual work. A lot of the jobs I have seen allow for their employees to work remotely (at least a portion of the time).
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: Relative to other recessions, this downturn in GDP was self-imposed from the lockdowns and other preventative measures rather than a shock to aggregate demand. GDP and other economic measures have rebounded quickly as restrictions have been lifted. The productive capability of the country doesn't appear to have been drastically affected by the lockdowns, and since the number of deaths was relatively low compared to other historical pandemics the size of the workforce hasn't been greatly affected. Moving forward, the impact will likely be small as the labor market looks relatively healthy and unemployment rates are still relatively low compared to historical measures.
Graduating into a recession has been shown to be detrimental to recent graduates over time as the initial salary many graduates receive sets a trajectory to build from over the course of a career. Simply, the first salary sets a base to build from and while the past year has been difficult economically for many, I remain optimistic for the near to medium term with inflation as my biggest fear over that horizon. My biggest concern for the longer term is the situation with budget deficits and the national debt in the United States and other developed economies.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors, Product Marketing?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: At least within economics and related fields, I believe the ability to work with data is imperative moving forward. So many processes generate data now and the ability to capture, synthesize, and make sense of data will be important in the years to come. If graduates can do this they can be of great value to prospective employers.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: I believe answer to number two is a good response to number three. There is an increasing importance in the ability to work with and understand data. Economics offers a framework to view the world, but through the lens of understanding data.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Dr. Mary Rydesky: Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates? Graduates of the 2020s may be more adept at use of Internet communications technology (ICT) due to pandemic restrictions on in-person meetings. That means these grads will accelerate global business, remote work situations, and by extension, the investment in office properties and centralized services for personnel.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors, Product Marketing?
Dr. Mary Rydesky: What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact on your job prospects? Emphases on project management and strategic thinking have been joined by certifications in soft skills that support diversity and cultural awareness. Graduates do need technical skills, but with the shift to remote teams and work from home environments pushed the curve. Now, grads need experience in applying their tech skills from a distance.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mary Rydesky: What will help people in your field increase their earning potential? In most fields, developing a portfolio of projects has high potential. For employers, concrete evidence of experience is a strong influencer when selecting new employees. Any student who can complete an internship or who works while in school has an advantage in this regard. If I can ascertain that an applicant has the knowledge, skill, and abilities as tested by measurable experience, I am not only more interested in the hiring potential, I am likely to be competitive in salary offers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Harlan Spotts Ph.D.: I think there is going to be an enduring impact on everyone. The pandemic has changed the structure of work. Businesses have been experimenting with remote work for some time, some more widespread than others. There was a trend where businesses were beginning to bring employees back into the office because productivity increased, even if it was for one or two days a week. However, the pandemic forced everyone in every industry to change the way they work. Remote was the only option for many businesses and people just had to figure it out. I think that was actually a good thing for businesses because it demonstrated that most, or a large number, of employees could work remotely and be just as, if not more, productive than being in the office. So, I think that remote is here to stay, and is part of the next normal. I don't think that there will be a "return to normal."
We have even seen the effects in an academic setting. I have been teaching online and hybrid in our MBA program for over 10 years. Students working online were most comfortable with a kind of "post and do" approach. May read some material, watch some videos, and do an assignment. Trying to have an online, interactive session was a struggle for a long time. Part of that struggle was internet access for students, and another part of the struggle was student technology issues. They would have difficulty setting up webcams or microphones. One of the side effects of the pandemic is it forced everyone, students and faculty, to up their game in the live, online environment. A great aspect of this is that it has made everyone much more flexible with delivery. Our grad program is online with live interaction. Our undergrad program is pretty much all on ground, except before the pandemic there would be a hand full of offerings. Now, we flex back and forth between being in the classroom and holding live online sessions. No worries about inclement weather. And, it allows for selecting the best delivery approach for the material being covered. For example, in my marketing analytics course I have been holding live Zoom sessions, basically delivering tutorials on how to set up and do statistical analysis in certain computer programs. This is much easier than doing it in an on-ground classroom, students can easily see what I am doing and ask questions, and I can record the sessions and post them to our virtual learning environment for later review. The pandemic has definitely spurred us to be more technology savvy and adaptive.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Harlan Spotts Ph.D.: In marketing, developing digital capabilities is extremely important. Marketing was on the forefront of the digital transition in business. With the amount of commerce that has shifted to the web marketers have to be comfortable with living in the digital space. This will demand new and different strategies. Marketers have always needed to be effective communicators, but now it is not just being a great closer. Marketers need to be effective communicators in writing (text, email, etc.) and verbal (person to person live, as well as person to person online)
Students need to start in college developing skills to be successful. It was interesting, we, in the College of Business, were talking about developing student competency in remote work before the pandemic hit last year. The pandemic accelerated our work, and we are in the process now of approving a certificate in remote work that any undergraduate business student can earn. It is designed to develop those competencies that will be critical for success in the "new normal."
What's a day at work look like for a Director, Product Marketing?
Harlan Spotts Ph.D.: We have been talking about post-pandemic work, and the key word is going to be flexibility. Flexibility with work environment, could be in the office, could be at home, could be at Starbucks. The concept of "going" to work has changed. So, I see every day and week potentially being different. Companies are seeing how much can be done via web conferencing, so you will see less business travel (not a good thing for the airlines). There will still be some, but less than before. The pandemic as accelerated technology adoption and use across industries, perhaps by 5 years. students will we working in different environments, and across time zones. They did this before, but it will be even more common.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: As with any major economic or social occurrence, new graduates need to dig deep, draw from their inherent resilience, and be ready to potentially pivot. The impact of our current situation can hopefully be a positive one that encourages students to keep an open mind and broaden their understanding of career options and job functions. It's incumbent on all of us to think outside the box and consider both employers and jobs that might be outside our comfort zone, especially at times like these. The processes of networking and being recruited will endure, at least for a while, though we may see that the virtual environment allows students to scale their networks even faster. Employers are also learning that they can cast a much wider net in a fraction of the time to connect with schools and students who previously may not have been on their radar.
What's a good job out of college for Directors, Product Marketing?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: It's important to keep in mind that for most graduates, their first job out of college will most certainly not be their last, so students should think of an early or entry-level job as a continuation of their skill building and academic enrichment. By identifying a portfolio that contains tasks and duties that will lead to expertise and increase their marketability, students can prepare themselves to ladder into the next phase(s) of a career trajectory. A job that allows for geographic flexibility, varied work hours, and application and expansion of technical acumen should be a safe bet. These components cross a variety of industries, so students shouldn't feel inhibited or limited to certain functions. Over the last several years, we've noticed a drastic decline in jobs that require employees to be consistently hands-on and "sit in one space."
What technical skills for a Director, Product Marketing stand out to employers?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: Graduates must not be complacent and assume their skill base will endure over a long period; they must continue to engage and learn in order to understand changes in the landscape and add value. Beyond listing specific computer software or hardware skills, we know from working so closely with employers to place our students that they are looking for students who possess excellent communication skills - including technical communication. Along the lines of communicating, employers seek graduates with the ability to analyze and succinctly synthesize sometimes ambiguous information. Finally, showcasing flexibility and an interest in learning will be important to employers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Richard Tate: Of course! There will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus on all humanity. Psychologists and sociologists will be busy for years to define and determine the impact. The business environment has changed drastically for our upcoming graduates from the environment that was present when they entered college 4 years ago. Everyone is spending more time connecting with each via devices and within a virtual world. Corporate training programs have transitioned to virtual formats and I believe something is lost when you reduce human-to-human learning and engagement. We are all learning to live in this new "Zoom" environment, but it is not the same and business environments will not return to pre-pandemic for a long while, if ever.
I was speaking with one of my corporate partners recently and he said that creativity has diminished. He mentioned that the best ideas in his company were always generated by casual "watercooler" conversations. Our Zoom conferences adhere to specific agendas and schedules and always end at a pre-determined time. I thought his perspective was very interesting given that a set schedule and itinerary diminishes the opportunity for relaxed, engaged, creative conversation.
As Director for our Center for Professional Sales I am witness to the many sales jobs that are available today. Companies have actually increased hiring this year after surviving and uncertain last year. For the most part, internships were all cancelled last year so we have a graduating class that may have less professional experience but opportunities are actually increasing.
What's a day at work look like for a Director, Product Marketing?
Richard Tate: Probably what it looks like for a student today - a lot of time online, head down, and peering into a device. Businesses have learned that the former traditional business model where many reported to an office, perhaps "on the clock" is really not necessary anymore. Confidence has been gained that employees can work just as effectively from remote locations, perhaps more effectively. We are learning that we can develop trust online and conduct business with others without having direct human interaction. I think this is a paradigm shift for business today.
What will help Directors, Product Marketing increase their earning potential?
Richard Tate: Sales is transitioning from a "problem solving" focus to a "teaching" focus. Great sales professionals today are able to teach their clients something that the client didn't know about their product, service, competition, market, business environment, etc. Through technology and "ask Google," most professional buyers can research and gain 60-80% of the knowledge that they need to make a buying decision.
That leaves only a 20% to 40% space for a salesperson to have an impact, and that space must be filled with new ideas and new knowledge that will assist the buyer in making an informed decision. Much of business-to-business sales today is very technical and expensive. Wrong technology decisions carry far greater risk to a company today. The wrong application can quickly turn any competitive advantage over to a competitor and with today's "sticky" technologies, you may never get that customer back.
Being an expert in your field and having the boldness to challenge your buyer's thoughts and show them a different way, is how salespeople can best increase their earning potential.
What's a day at work look like for a Director, Product Marketing?
Patrick Lindsay: Sales is a good job out of college. Regardless of the company, the industry, the marketplace or geography, being in the customer interface is not only the best and quickest way to learn about a business but also to learn about business. They are exposed to the impact from and on all stakeholders. They learn about what a value proposition really is and the importance of Trust. They observe and learn the importance of relationships. And they grasp the importance of why over what and how. Finally, sales experience and success is almost universally transferable. Once a grad has a year to three developing competencies, skills and confidence, they can pursue virtually any other product or service in almost any company. They can pursue a next job in sales but also other areas like marketing, customer service, human resources, training, recruiting, et cetera. Employers are not emphasizing industry knowledge or experience like they once did. And many companies, from small local the largest global companies in their industries, insist their new college hires begin in sales (aka account management, business development, client acquisition).
Now, with the proper training (could be a major/minor but doesn't have to be if the graduate has developed a particular skill set) there are many available jobs for graduates that are technology-related. These are "good job" from a compensation and stability perspective. And any position with a global tech firm is a golden ticket.
What technical skills for a Director, Product Marketing stand out to employers?
Patrick Lindsay: Most all employers expect full competency in creatively using technology for communications. By that I don't mean mobile devices or social media usgae. I mean a widespread working knowledge of technology tools (apps, software, etc). Employers are seeking those candidates who can convey thoughts, ideas, responses in a multi-faceted way. Basic competency in written correspondence is no longer enough. Employers want to see daily business communication not only contain demonstration of good writing (grammar, syntax, formatting) but also being able to create embedded images, video, and relevant web links to better communicate. And not just for a big fancy client presentation, but consistently in regular communication. Further, they want words supported by data; support words with numerical evidence. As such, advanced excel skills and real experience in data sources and extraction stand out to employers.
Similarly, they expect professional virtual audio-visual communication. It is not enough to just be on the Zoom call. The expectation is to be prepared, to be engaged, to be aware of the audio and video angles and backgrounds. To demonstrate active listening as well as enthusiastic, energetic, even animated talking. Body language and facial expression are even more enhanced in virtual communications.
If there was a positive outcome from being thrust into an academic world that was all virtual, it was the need to learn new technical skills, not only for classwork, but also for social interaction. This will not only be appreciated by employers, but for many, expected.
What's a good job out of college for Directors, Product Marketing?
Patrick Lindsay: Sales is a good job out of college. Regardless of the company, the industry, the marketplace or geography, being in the customer interface is not only the best and quickest way to learn about a business but also to learn about business. They are exposed to the impact from and on all stakeholders. They learn about what a value proposition really is and the importance of Trust. They observe and learn the importance of relationships. And they grasp the importance of why over what and how. Finally, sales experience and success is almost universally transferable. Once a grad has a year to three developing competencies, skills and confidence, they can pursue virtually any other product or service in almost any company. They can pursue a next job in sales but also other areas like marketing, customer service, human resources, training, recruiting, et cetera. Employers are not emphasizing industry knowledge or experience like they once did. And many companies, from small local the largest global companies in their industries, insist their new college hires begin in sales (aka account management, business development, client acquisition).
Now, with the proper training (could be a major/minor but doesn't have to be if the graduate has developed a particular skill set) there are many available jobs for graduates that are technology-related. These are "good job" from a compensation and stability perspective. And any position with a global tech firm is a golden ticket.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Patrick Lindsay: Absolutely, the pandemic will have an enduring impact on these upcoming graduates. Uncertainty is always part of the job search journey/process for future graduates. Uncertainty is now major Anxiety number one for them.
First, the recruiting process drastically changed and opportunities diminished in the past twelve months. Of course the process had to become virtual. But there has been more than a fifty percent reduction in the number of companies participating in career fairs. Further, those companies are anticipating a reduction in the number of available positions, or have said they will have none at all this year. Some only participated to keep their relationships alive with the universities.
Second, companies cannot commit to the full scope of work for new hires, nor the location... because they still don't know. Starting positions will still be virtual WFH. What does that mean for a college graduate? Move back home with parents? Some companies are anticipating a return this summer to office or other work sites that are bricks and mortar locations. Still others say they will stay virtual. Either way, few will commit to where a new graduate will be located. The common position is "We will see where our needs are when the time comes". Rarely have graduates not known the location of their first job.
Third, where millennials were the driving faction for flexible work environs and work from home, in less than one year, many upcoming Gen Z graduates have changed their perspective and are seeking opportunities to commute to work and interact with people in a live daily routine. They do not want to continue living in a virtual world. It took less than ten months to change a cultural movement. This will be a growing field of study for behavioral psychologists, sociologists and anthropologists.
Fourth, many grads are open to a wider bandwidth of positions and industries (other than those seeking a "professional" career in certification trades: accountancy, engineering, architecture, etc.) than they would have been one year ago. The uncertainty of supply always impacts the demand. Likewise, their career criteria and priorities seem to have changed, but in very inconsistent ways.
Sachin Tuli
Director, International Business MajorWisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison
International Business
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Sachin Tuli: Certainly there will be impact on graduates as there will be impact on society as a whole - but which impact? If economic, we serve students from a variety of national backgrounds, so depending on where our students go after graduation their local economy recoveries could diverge from the global average and that could effect both the job market and salaries. For instance, China is forecasted to continue recovering due to its proactive lock downs and ability to serve foreign markets through this past year. In the U.S., where the majority of our students stay, a strong vaccine program, safety net supports and stimulus will help ensure a recovery at large and likely a post-Covid bump. Though the recovery will be uneven, our students primarily head to medium and large firms that will be well poised to hire, or which may have experienced growth through the pandemic. There will be other impacts on personal finances, health and mental health, among others, that should also be considered. The pandemic has laid bare the inequities in society, and firms are pledging to help address these issues through various actions, such as diversity and inclusion initiatives, and proactive internal training and education.
What's a day at work look like for a Director, Product Marketing?
Sachin Tuli: The pandemic accelerated ongoing shifts with work-from-anywhere and use of remote meeting technologies. With mass adoption at all levels, these trends are likely to persist to some degree across fields and industries. There will likely be less travel for a number of years, but concurrently we may see more cross-team and cross-national collaboration and coordination. From an international business perspective, firms do plan to continue their globalization efforts and we know that graduates themselves increasingly seek potential global opportunities and mobility when choosing which organizations to work for.
How have salaries changed over time for Directors, Product Marketing?
Sachin Tuli: Our undergraduate international business program serves as a second major that is coupled with another business major; marketing, finance, and management are most common majors combined with international business. Initial career placement is driven by these first majors, with students using the knowledge and skills gained through the international business curriculum throughout their careers but often leveraging the major directly as they command more responsibility within their organizations. The Wisconsin School of Business continues to place our students competitively with starting salaries having kept pace with industry and peer schools; specific salary information by major can be found here:apps.wsb.wisc.edu
Dr. Melissa Goodson Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Marketing & ManagementThe College of St. Scholastica
Management and Business Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Dr. Melissa Goodson Ph.D.: There is no doubt that the Class of 2020 and 2021 will enter a completely different world than they had imagined upon graduation. I have witnessed a lag-time between graduation and alumni finding jobs. However, having a Bachelor's degree sets the students apart during the search for most of the opportunities in Business or Marketing.
I also see a trend in students navigating through the freelance market. Many recent grads are finding gigs or starting small businesses in an area in which they are passionate.
What type of skills will young Directors, Product Marketing need?
Dr. Melissa Goodson Ph.D.: We embrace a holistic approach to building skills in our graduates. Broadly, the college focuses on five core college learning objectives that we hope graduates will be exposed to in coursework to develop employment-ready skills during their time at The College of St. Scholastica. The five objectives are Inquire Deeply, Solve Complex Problems, Develop Cultural Fluency, Communicate Clearly and Persuasively, and Serve and Lead through Benedictine Values. St. Scholastica degree programs and course objectives map to these overarching objectives.
The Business Management and Marketing degree program courses emphasize skills in managing people, creatively marketing products and services, solving problems, analyzing information using technology, and ethically communicating company change and news internally and externally.
What experience really stands out on Director, Product Marketing resumes?
Dr. Melissa Goodson Ph.D.: At The College of St. Scholastica, we encourage our Business students to find internships prior to graduation. Additionally, students have a unique option to complete a dual degree in Marketing and Management within four years. Faculty members work hard to teach marketable skills for students completing the Marketing and Business Management degrees through experiential learning and real-world examples. Marketing students will leave the program with critical skills including email marketing, website design, strategic planning, social media, and content creation.
Our Career Services team partners with students at any stage in the degree to discuss skills, strengths, and ideas for future employment. Resume review is part of the services offered by this department to help students set themselves up with the best chance of the resume and application materials being seen by the prospective employer.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director, Product Marketing job market given the pandemic?
Stephanie Dellande: The pandemic gave rise to varied ways of consumption. Many services offered by providers, e.g., curbside pick-up, since the pandemic will continue. E-learning and e-commerce will likely remain par for the course for some time to come. The presence of digital tools (Zoom, Webinar) will allow employers and employees to stay in touch. Remote work will become a norm for companies attempting to cut operational expenses and costs associate with office space. Other trends include a construction boom as government invest in infrastructure. In addition, sexy or not, the green economy is inevitable. This will offer firms an opportunity to capitalize on a demand for renewable energy technology. Companies that are responsive to providing their products to their target market(s) in new ways will likely do well. Also, potential employees will have to update their skill set to secure a position and be successful in their newfound field of work.
What Director, Product Marketing skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Dellande: Taking a gap year is a deliberate act, not flying by the seat of one's pants, i.e., just figuring things out as you go along. It entails establishing a plan prior to that year. Determining how the time will be spent is key to realizing a successful outcome. It is highly recommended to have a strategy on the specifics of what will be done during the year; otherwise, risk being unproductive. Reasons for taking a gap year are varied. Perhaps to reflect (on the past, present, future), ponder potential goals, and/or recalibrate. It is also a viable way to manage burnout. The gap year offers an opportunity to travel (experience other cultures), volunteer (for a cause of interest), learn new skills by experimenting with different types of jobs, etc. However, a gap year is not without its pitfalls. For example, it may be difficult going back to regular life, reinforcing the importance of having a plan at the outset.
What general advice would you give to a Director, Product Marketing?
Stephanie Dellande: Most likely, some 2020 graduates are feeling discouraged about their future. Particularly for those in fields in which job opportunities are generally less abundant, e.g., communication, psychology, majority of the humanities. Young adults, ages 18-35 years, have experienced and/or are experiencing, directly or indirectly, some of the country's most difficult times, the great recession December 2007 - June 2009, for many much longer, and now the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Congress has a significant role in determining the timeline of the fate of COVID-19 and a thriving economy. While the well-being (physical, financial, emotional, educational) of the American people is top of mind for this administration, if the economy is going to recover in a more expedient way, congress ultimately must agree to the administration's proposed recommendations, bills. If they do, recent graduates will likely be in good stead. It would be in the best interest of graduates to take a mindful approach (Celsi, Nelson, Dellande, Gilly, 2017) to their career. While the economy is in a state of collapse, young adults may have a difficult time launching their career. However, food for thought, accepting most any work although it may not be in a preferred field is suggested. Also recommended, while in a less desirable position, take advantage of or create opportunities to perform tasks related or only tangentially related to an aspirational career. Doing so will likely go a long way in helping to realize an ideal position.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors, Product Marketing?
Geraldo Matos: There is some research that suggests that graduating in a recession can affect income streams such that it might take a decade or more to "catch up." 2020 grads, some of whom remain on the job hunt, will soon be competing with 2021 grads, and both of those groups will be competing with the slew of employees from prior years who lost their positions due to the pandemic. The longer this pandemic goes on, the greater risk there is for a long-term impact.
Beyond income, I think another lasting impact is that how they work will be different. I believe some amount of remote work is here to stay. Not for everyone, and probably not always, but firms have learned that they can trust their employees to be productive away from the office. And firms can save money by not having to accommodate for 100% of their staff to be on site, 100% of the time. I could envision that translating into work from home Fridays or other ways that firms will be more flexible in terms of where their employees are doing their work.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors, Product Marketing?
Geraldo Matos: I have a strong bias towards coursework that involves experiential learning, whatever the topic, which is a distinctive part of a Roger Williams University education. At RWU, we do that in many marketing courses but particularly in our advertising classes, where students often work with local start-ups, putting into practice the insights they gleaned from traditional learning. This activity, as well as participation by our students in the National Student Advertising Competition positions them to graduate with not only the knowledge necessary to succeed in the marketplace, but a portfolio of their work that is tangible evidence of their prowess.
As for certifications, Google Ad and Google Analytics are great starting points. Others include Facebook Blueprint, Hootsuite, and HubSpot. Branding matters in marketing and these are great brands to have on your resume.
What soft skills should all Directors, Product Marketing possess?
Geraldo Matos: First and foremost, I think it's resiliency and adaptability. Need to work remotely? Okay, we've done that. Need to change strategy on the fly due to the pandemic? We can do that, too! Being up for the next challenge is critical.
Another critical soft skill is resourcefulness. Figure it out. Your boss will probably be willing to help you, but she also likely has a lot on her plate. Not stopping at the first hurdle (or second or third) you encounter, but rather taking the initiative and trying to figure out how to solve the issue/problem will earn you great respect, and at some point, more responsibility.
Finally, while it's not really a soft skill, I also think having a bent towards being a lifetime learner is important. Your degree is a critical foundation. The marketing world, however, is changing at an ever-increasing rate. Young graduates must understand that they'll need to stay committed to keeping up with the latest technology throughout their career.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director, Product Marketing job market given the pandemic?
Davide , Ph.D. Bolchini Ph.D.: In the prospering User Experience (UX) economy, I see more and more "remote" UX internships offered to our students and "remote" UX full-time job opportunities offered to our graduates. Both graduates and employers are more comfortable establishing remote working collaborations, which are becoming now the norm more than before, due to the disruption in the traditional office-bound workspace that COVID brought to the marketplace.
What skills stand out on Director, Product Marketing resumes?
Davide , Ph.D. Bolchini Ph.D.: In my experience, our most successful MS HCI graduates (https://soic.iupui.edu/hcc/graduate/hci/masters/) take the time to put together a compelling online portfolio that showcases their project experience and skill set in action, as applied to specific research opportunities they had with faculty or projects they worked on during their UX internships in the industry. The personal brand of UX junior professional can be greatly enriched when the portfolio includes not only what the student has done, but why and what was the design rationale behind the process and the results, what was the larger context and goal of the project (especially in large collaborative projects), and what was the specific role and contribution of the student. The discussion about the portfolio of a candidate has become a key ingredient of the interview for UX jobs, besides other important activities such as UX design exercises or remote assignments.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Directors, Product Marketing to find work opportunities?
Davide , Ph.D. Bolchini Ph.D.: With the many remote work opportunities for our MS HCI graduates, physical location is less relevant than before, and flexibility becomes key. UX job opportunities are plenty in the Midwest, as well as on the East and West Coast, and the roles and competitiveness of these positions vary greatly based on the nature of the organization and the industry ecosystem.