After graduating with a BComm or MBA, an Assistant Marketing Manager does the more implementation parts of projects. Reporting to a Senior Marketing Manager, this on-the-job training lasts for about 1-3 years.
Junior Marketing Manager:
Assigned to a small product with a small impact on bottom line, this level allows the marketer to learn end-to-end responsibility for marketing and show that they are worthy of a promotion, after 1-3 years.
Senior Marketing Manager:
Assigned to a high-profile product, this level can interact comfortably in strategic discussions with the VP. Managers develop their people management skills with 1-2 direct reports. Managers typically last 5 years and sometimes for the rest of their career by lateral transfers to other products and other industries.
Director:
Managing several Marketing Managers, Directors stay for 5 years to the rest of their careers. About 70% of a job is typically “marketing” with the remaining time focused on budgeting, staffing issues and liaising with other departments.
Vice President:
Responsible for all aspects of the entire product line and company image, a VP may spend about 50% of their time on marketing issues with the remaining time focused on staffing issues, Board management and issues external to the company.