Careers in Marketing

Brand and Product Management

This career path puts you in the midst of all aspects of product and brand positioning, from evaluating the competitive landscape for challenges and opportunities to developing and executing marketing strategies. You will likely be part of a cross-functional team that consists of finance, research and development, packaging, operations, and supply chain executives.
 

Employment Outlook and Career Opportunities

The brand management function is often found in the over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and technology sectors. In multinational companies, executives in brand management positions may have the opportunity to accept overseas assignments.

Employment prospects within this career path are promising for domestic candidates. Individuals seeking brand management positions outside of their home countries may experience a more competitive job marketplace, as few opportunities offer visa sponsorship. Many organizations value cultural knowledge and regional insight within brand-management functions; familiarity with local markets may be an asset for entry into this field.

Job Titles

Sample titles for positions in brand management Include:

• Associate Brand Manager
• Product Manager (Common for Technology Sector)
• Product/Brand Management Director

In-Demand Skills and Character Traits

Effective brand managers must be able to make seamless transitions between qualitative, quantitative, creative, and analytical competencies. They are results-driven leaders and possess attributes that allow them to influence internal as well as external audiences. The ability to synthesize available data, while at times making decisions with incomplete information, is critical to success.

Brand Management Career Preparation at Simon

As you pursue your MBA, you are encouraged to explore the Marketing concentrations to prepare for your career.

Co-Curricular Opportunities

The Simon Marketing Association (SMA) offers multifaceted networking and skill-building opportunities for MBAs wishing to pursue a career in brand management. The club brings together business leaders, faculty, alumni, and students for year-round events and activities including:

• Guest Speakers
• Case Competitions
• Workshops

Consumer Insights & Marketing Analytics

If you are data-driven, you may be well suited for a career in marketing analytics. With this career path, you will be in a position to gather consumer behavior data, as well as develop customer and market insights to influence business strategies.

Employment Outlook and Career Opportunities

Consumer-insight and marketing analysts often work as part of market-research firms, such as Nielsen and IRI. They are also in demand in large consumer product groups (CPGs), public relations and advertising agencies, as well as telecommunication and media companies.

Simon MBA graduates excel in consumer insights and marketing analyst roles, due to the economics-driven qualitative and quantitative nature of our curriculum. As businesses increasingly emphasize data-driven decisions and strategies, they rely heavily on marketing professionals with strong analytical skill sets. Our graduates are highly sought-after, as Simon Business School has an international reputation for rigorous analytics-based academics.

Job Titles

Sample titles for consumer insight/marketing analytics functions include:

• Market Research Analyst
• Consumer Insight Analyst
• Shopper Marketing Insights Analyst
• Strategic Marketing Analyst

In-Demand Skills and Character Traits

MBAs who possess advanced organizational and project management skills, and an inquisitive disposition—driven to understand consumer behavior—are likely to succeed as market researchers. Teamwork and collaboration skills are also in high demand. Analysts must be detail-oriented and capable of producing error-free work under tight deadlines.

Consumer Insight/Marketing Analytics Career Preparation at Simon

If you are interested in pursuing a career in marketing insights and analytics, you should choose the marketing concentration. Recommended courses for Consumer Insights and Marketing Analytics include:

• Market Research
• Consumer Behavior
• Computation and Analysis of Advanced Quantitative Marketing Models
• B2B and B2C Pricing
• Product Planning and Development
• Database and Internet Marketing
• Brand Management
• Global Marketing Strategy

Co-Curricular Opportunities

Students interested in consumer insights and marketing analytics should consider joining the Simon Marketing Association (SMA) for skill-building experiences outside of the classroom. The club often hosts speakers, including marketing research professionals, to help members gain industry knowledge. Students can also benefit from case competitions, corporate visits, and networking functions held by the SMA.

Pricing

Pricing is emerging as an in-demand specialty within the marketing mix. Most positions within this function have a balanced blend of strategic and tactical pricing responsibilities. Strategic pricing is a long-term competitive model, while tactical pricing focuses on boosting sales revenue through temporary deals and promotions. Simon was the first institution to offer a comprehensive Pricing Track within the MBA program, and now has a Pricing specialization.

Employment Outlook and Career Opportunities

The pricing function can reside within the marketing or finance branches and, in some cases, be a standalone department that works closely with the sales team. Opportunities exist within service- and product-based organizations in business-to-business (B2B) as well as business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors. Pricing specialists may also be found in consulting firms or as independent advisors to multiple businesses.

Since Simon is one of a few business schools in the country with a pricing track, our graduates enjoy strong employment prospects, as corporate recruiters seek to meet key demand. The pricing profession has a tight-knit community; networking is essential to gaining access to employment opportunities.

Job Titles

Sample titles for pricing functions include:

• Pricing Analyst
• Pricing Manager
• Strategic Pricing Analyst
• Pricing Associate
• Pricing Consultant

In-Demand Skills and Character Traits

Recruiters often look for pricing candidates who are intellectual and analytical—driven by facts and data. Strong modeling skills are highly sought-after and client-facing roles demand excellent presentation skills. Diverse experience and a solid knowledgebase of pricing fundamentals are essential.

Pricing Career Preparation at Simon

The pricing specialization within the Consulting track offers the best preparation for MBA students looking to enter this fast-paced field.

Co-Curricular Opportunities

The Simon Pricing Club helps students align their skills with the needs of the industry. This active organization hosts a number of events including lunch-and-learns, case competitions, corporate trips, and educational series with employer participation. Students have the opportunity to develop pricing skill sets outside of the classroom environment, as well as form a strong industry network.

The Simon Marketing Association (SMA) is another organization focused on building professional skill sets. Since pricing and marketing functions are closely related, dual membership may be beneficial.