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Job outlook for national marketing directors in the United States
National marketing director job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected national marketing director job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 33,700 new jobs for national marketing directors are projected over the next decade.
National marketing director salaries have increased 8% for national marketing directors in the last 5 years.
There are over 68,678 national marketing directors currently employed in the United States.
There are 115,962 active national marketing director job openings in the US.
The average national marketing director salary is $114,151.
Are national marketing director jobs in demand?
National marketing director job and salary trends over time
National marketing director jobs over time
National marketing director job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68,678 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 65,925 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 64,624 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 59,086 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 54,158 | 0.02% |
Average national marketing director salary over time
National marketing director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $114,151 | $54.88 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $109,880 | $52.83 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $107,824 | $51.84 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $106,170 | $51.04 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $105,327 | $50.64 | +1.9% |
National marketing director jobs by state
Most common states for national marketing directors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 372 | 54% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 306 | 23% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,203 | 22% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,443 | 21% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 111 | 19% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 988 | 18% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 632 | 18% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,453 | 17% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 810 | 17% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 707 | 17% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 334 | 17% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,701 | 16% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,616 | 16% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 640 | 16% |
| 15 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 474 | 16% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 173 | 16% |
| 17 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 137 | 16% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 124 | 16% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,975 | 15% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 111 | 15% |
Most common cities for national marketing directors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spring | 1 | 2% | $103,239 |
National Marketing Director job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of national marketing director experts
City University of Seattle
North Dakota State University
Siena College
Siena College
Siena College
University of Scranton
University of Houston - Downtown
University of Saint Mary
Towson University
University of West Georgia
Auburn University-Montgomery
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Auburn University-Montgomery
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Tusculum University
Delta State University
Old Dominion University
Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD
Assistant Professor of MarketingWhat will help National Marketing Directors increase their earning potential?
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: A marketing manager is often responsible for planning and implementing a marketing plan. What this marketing plan encompasses can vary, as marketing involves many different things such as branding, product development, sales, advertising, digital and social media, and retailing.
What general advice would you give to a National Marketing Director?
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: The ever-changing landscape of consumer trends and technological advancements in how to market to consumers often makes the job exciting and fast-paced. However, with the increased emphasis on results, marketers must be conscious of how to measure and demonstrate the value of their work.
What National Marketing Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: Brands across many product categories are facing an increasing level of competition. Brands may struggle with rising brand parity, where brands and their competitors are seen as similar to one another. Therefore, to stand out from competitors, it has become increasingly important for brands to have marketing managers that create value for consumers and communicate that value to consumers.
What general advice would you give to a National Marketing Director?
Ajay Abraham Ph. D.: Earning a fair salary is important, although what exactly is fair might vary based on individual perceptions. More important, think of a job as offering a combination of financial and other non-monetary benefits such as perks (e.g., work culture, work-life balance, self-fulfillment, good colleagues, networking). Try to optimize your benefits across this multi-dimensional perspective rather than by simply focusing on salary. That stated, some job opportunities have scope for negotiation on salary. First, identify if the job that you are applying for has scope for negotiation, in which case, there's no harm in negotiating if done ethically, professionally, and reasonably. If the job is not one in which there's scope for negotiation, don't worry. Instead, focus on performance and making a case for yourself at the time of annual evaluations and/or salary hikes (which should be done even if there were salary negotiations before joining). Similar suggestions apply if you are thinking of switching roles/organizations.
What National Marketing Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ajay Abraham Ph. D.: Everyone is talking about AI these days, so I will start off by joining the bandwagon, but with some nuance. It's important to know how to use artificial intelligence tools in order to be better or more effective at one's job. This doesn't mean that everyone needs to become an AI expert, but that we should be able to harness the power of AI tools to improve the quality and efficiency of our work. This requires being fluent enough with AI tools to understand, discuss, and make decisions involving AI or about AI output (even if we don't actually use those tools in a hands-on manner). This should be done while also being able to bridge the gap for those who are less fluent (perhaps those in more senior-level roles who are even less hands-on with these tools). That apart, as more of the workforce focuses more of their time on technical and similar skills, "softer" skills such as integrity, professionalism, self-awareness, and team-orientation will become even more important as differentiators.
What will help National Marketing Directors increase their earning potential?
Ajay Abraham Ph. D.: Earning a fair salary is important, although what exactly is fair might vary based on individual perceptions. More important, think of a job as offering a combination of financial and other non-monetary benefits such as perks (e.g., work culture, work-life balance, self-fulfillment, good colleagues, networking). Try to optimize your benefits across this multi-dimensional perspective rather than by simply focusing on salary. That stated, some job opportunities have scope for negotiation on salary. First, identify if the job that you are applying for has scope for negotiation, in which case, there’s no harm in negotiating if done ethically, professionally, and reasonably. If the job is not one in which there’s scope for negotiation, don’t worry. Instead, focus on performance and making a case for yourself at the time of annual evaluations and/or salary hikes (which should be done even if there were salary negotiations before joining). Similar suggestions apply if you are thinking of switching roles/organizations.
What general advice would you give to a National Marketing Director?
Jennifer D'Angelo Ph.D.: Brands across many product categories are facing an increasing level of competition. Brands may struggle with rising brand parity, where brands and their competitors are seen as similar to one another. Therefore, to stand out from competitors, it has become increasingly important for brands to have marketing managers that create value for consumers and communicate that value to consumers.
What National Marketing Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer D'Angelo Ph.D.: The ever-changing landscape of consumer trends and technological advancements in how to market to consumers often makes the job exciting and fast-paced. However, with the increased emphasis on results, marketers must be conscious of how to measure and demonstrate the value of their work.
What will help National Marketing Directors increase their earning potential?
Jennifer D'Angelo Ph.D.: Brands across many product categories are facing an increasing level of competition. Brands may struggle with rising brand parity, where brands and their competitors are seen as similar to one another. Therefore, to stand out from competitors, it has become increasingly important for brands to have marketing managers that create value for consumers and communicate that value to consumers.
Ahmad Asady
Assistant Professor of Management Faculty Scholar, Challey Institute for Global Innovation and GrowthNorth Dakota State University
Marketing
What general advice would you give to a National Marketing Director?
Ahmad Asady: The role of a Marketing professional is as rewarding as it is demanding. On one hand, it offers the chance to unleash creativity, see the direct impact of your work, and enjoy a variety of experiences across different projects and industries. On the other hand, it comes with its fair share of challenges, such as the pressure to perform under tight deadlines and budgets, the constant need to stay ahead in a fast-evolving field, and the stress of quantifying the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Despite these challenges, the role remains appealing for those drawn to a career that demands both strategic thinking and creative innovation, underscored by the powerful tool of persuasion to shape consumer behavior and drive business success.
What National Marketing Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmad Asady: Now is an exciting time to enter the field of marketing. The digital age has transformed how brands connect with consumers, opening up a plethora of channels and tools for innovative engagement strategies. This digital expansion, coupled with the shift towards a more consumer-centric marketing approach, has made the role of a Marketing professional more crucial and impactful than ever. Professionals in this field enjoy the privilege of working at the intersection of creativity and analytics, where they can make significant contributions to a brand's growth and adapt to new challenges and technologies, ensuring a career that is both stable and filled with opportunities for continuous learning.
What will help National Marketing Directors increase their earning potential?
Ahmad Asady: A Marketing professional's day is a blend of art and science, filled with the pursuit of understanding and engaging the target audience. Their daily activities revolve around creating and managing content that resonates with consumers, conducting market research to stay ahead of trends, analyzing data to refine strategies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure a unified brand message. Persuasion lies at the heart of their role, as they must continuously convince both internal stakeholders and external audiences of the value and relevance of their brand's offerings.
S.Sinem Atakan
Assistant Professor of MarketingSiena College
Marketing Department
What skills will help National Marketing Directors earn the most?
S.Sinem Atakan: The most important skills for marketing graduates, especially given the remote working conditions due to the pandemic, are self-motivation, communication, and digital marketing skills. Creativity and analytical skills are always important in marketing, but pandemic has highlighted the importance of being able to work independently and motivate yourself even when external forces are not directly present. Communication skills are crucial to work remotely and be on the same page with your team members. Digital marketing was big but getting even bigger with this breakthrough changes in consumer behavior. Hence, the rising stars of the marketing job market will be graduates who can combine all these skills seamlessly
Soyoung Joo
Assistant Professor of MarketingSiena College
Marketing Department
What skills stand out on National Marketing Director resumes?
Soyoung Joo: Communication and time management skills are valuable skills for marketing managers.
What soft skills should all National Marketing Directors possess?
Soyoung Joo: Creativity and intellectual curiosity (willingness to keep learning) can be added to the above soft skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for National Marketing Directors?
Soyoung Joo: Being able to interpret the consumer data and identify the true needs and wants of the consumer is imperative for marketers.
What skills will help National Marketing Directors earn the most?
Soyoung Joo: Being able to work well with people from diverse backgrounds can be added to the above skills.
Allison Lauenstein
Teaching Instructor of MarketingSiena College
Marketing Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for National Marketing Directors?
Allison Lauenstein: Project Management and being able to connect the dots around the data and insights are critical. You have to analyze a situation and uncover insights from the customer, the competitors, and the industry.
What skills will help National Marketing Directors earn the most?
Allison Lauenstein: Leadership and collaboration will go a long way. The best ideas can come from anywhere, and it's not always about who has the best idea but who can execute the idea the best. Good marketers must understand that if you cannot successfully execute or effectively communicate a great idea, it may not be so great.
What skills stand out on National Marketing Director resumes?
Allison Lauenstein: Skills that stand out show that the candidate has had some experience leading projects and project teams. Marketing is a collaborative effort, and it is critically important for upcoming managers to understand how to manage and motivate a team to achieve its objectives.
What soft skills should all National Marketing Directors possess?
Allison Lauenstein: Listening and asking questions are some of the most important skills. As Marketers, you not only have to listen to what people say, but you have to try to understand what they are not saying. How do their actions differ from what they are saying?
Abhijit Roy
Professor of MarketingUniversity of Scranton
School of Management
What skills stand out on National Marketing Director resumes?
Abhijit Roy: In general, companies will look to see whether or not the candidate can overall market the company's products. Given the depth and breadth of marketing jobs, the specific skill requirements will vary. For example, a sales manager position will require individuals with high interpersonal skills, advertising positions will look for individuals with creativity, while marketing research positions will demand strong analytical skills. Overall, most companies today are looking for individuals with strong digital marketing and social media skills.
Job market candidates must look for the job descriptions in the ads and ensure they have relevant matching skills that they can include in their resumes.
What hard/technical skills are most important for National Marketing Directors?
Abhijit Roy: The Marketing field has undergone a major paradigmatic shift with the growth of digitization. Hence, hard/technical skills in performing data-driven marketing, social media and data analytics, data visualization, Search Engine Optimization (SEO)/Search Engine Marketing (SEM), content creation and storytelling, and omnichannel communication are critical hard skills that are in great demand today.
What skills will help National Marketing Directors earn the most?
Abhijit Roy: The above skills are in high demand and also currently pay the most. Still, I strongly recommend that students focus not on skills that will help them earn the most but on the skill sets that each individual possesses and think of how they can best leverage that in the marketplace to have a long sustained, and enjoyable career.
What soft skills should all National Marketing Directors possess?
Abhijit Roy: These are very important, yet harder to quantify skills, not only for marketing professionals but for business graduates in general. They include the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, having a high emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) as embodied by having empathy towards coworkers and subordinates, delegating appropriately, mentoring, communicating, time management, maintaining positivity despite setbacks and adapting to unforeseen challenges, being flexible, being persuasive and assertive at appropriate moments, yet being collaborative, seeking feedback, and the ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts when needed, amongst others.
Soft skills are typically more instrumental in enabling candidates to fit into an organization's culture and be strong candidates for promotion. Most marketing jobs involve candidates representing their brand initiatives and building strong client relationships, so interpersonal, and other soft skills are often valued more than hard skills. The strongest case for having excellent soft skills is that they are more easily transferable across various jobs and industries.
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Houston - Downtown
Marilyn Davies College of Business
What skills will help National Marketing Directors earn the most?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: It's a combination of skills, plus the patience to build those skills. Great people and leadership skills always seem to trump most other variables. I would encourage individuals to invest in their leadership skills and consider partnering with a leadership coach.
What skills stand out on National Marketing Director resumes?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: Showcasing the balance between people management and analytical skills. Marketing today relies on a substantial amount of data, which requires marketing managers to possess strong analytical skills. At the same time, leaders have to motivate, inspire, and guide employees. In the last 3-5 years, I have seen a greater emphasis on analytical skills.
What soft skills should all National Marketing Directors possess?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: Leaders need to lead. A leader who is curious, vulnerable, transparent, and inclusive generally has better success. The challenge is to teach leaders to be authentically curious. That is a big challenge in leadership.
What hard/technical skills are most important for National Marketing Directors?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: First, understand A/B experiments. Marketers are consistently comparing different campaigns, and the ability to create thoughtful experiments is critical.
Second, go beyond averages and percentages and learn linear and logistic regression and more advanced analytical tools. The exposure to more complex analytics allows for more thoughtful outcomes and interpretation.
Third, be exposed to a programming language like R or Python. Not that you are going to code, but it allows you to speak the language of data.
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 soft skills should all National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Director 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 National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors 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.
Dr. Sooho Lee
Director, Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program, Professor of Public Administration and PolicyUniversity of West Georgia
Department of Civic Engagement & Public Service
What skills will help National Marketing Directors earn the most?
Dr. Sooho Lee: It depends on the nature of the job. Generally speaking, analytical competence, communication, strategic planning, and leadership skills will greatly help one earn more.
What will help National Marketing Directors 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Director?
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 are the biggest trends we'll see in the National Marketing Director job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Miguel Olivas-Luján Ph.D.: As the economy "reopens" (thanks to appeased fears of contagion driven by vaccination, herd immunity, people worn out by the lockdowns, warmer weather, etc.), we should see workforce adjustments across industries and occupations. Already in March, unemployment was returning to 6% (from a high of 14.8% in April 2020, but after a low of 3.5 in February 2020; https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000). Barring unexpected resistance in the virus variants or other influences, the summer and fall months should give us better job market numbers, but this recovery seems to be benefitting some population segments more than others. The unemployed rate for teenagers was at 13%, followed by Blacks (9.6%), Hispanics (7.9%), Asians (6%), adult men (5.8%), and adult women (5.7%; more detail is available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm).
Mary Kiker Ph.D.
Professor of ManagementAuburn University-Montgomery
Department of Business Administration
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the National Marketing Director 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 National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Director 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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors 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.
What will help National Marketing Directors 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 National Marketing Directors?
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 National Marketing Directors?
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.