Learn about how to become a product manager
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A product management team discusses
marketing strategy.
Product managers oversee every stage in the creation and marketing of specific products. This strategic position requires vision, planning and leadership to create and implement the action plans that will position products for success.
Once strategies are in place, product managers oversee the advertising and marketing efforts that will deliver the desired results.
As marketing campaigns unfold, product managers continue to measure their products' effectiveness and make necessary changes to the marketing strategies based on demographic and sales data.
Product management is a highly competitive and demanding career. To succeed, you must be able to work up detailed plans, think strategically, analyze data, understand theories of consumer behavior and react successfully to rapid changes in the marketplace. A proven track record is the only route to promotion.
Product Management Career Path
| | Entry Level | Mid Level | Senior Level |
| Types of Roles | Assistant product manager | Product manager | Senior product manager, group product manager |
| Experience | 1 - 5 years | 5 - 10 years | 10+ years |
| Getting There | - Communications, marketing or related bachelor's degree
- Industry-specific supporting coursework
- Strong analytical thinking skills
- Excellent communication skills
| - All entry-level requirements
- MBA in marketing
- Proven track record as assistant product manager
| - All mid-level requirements
- Superlative and extensive track record as product manager
|
| Salary* | $50,000 – $60,353 | $76,500 – $95,000 | $89,588 – $150,000 |
| Description | - Assist with planning and executing marketing campaigns
- Work with a team to create marketing strategy
- Work with in-house or freelance designers, writers and other professionals
| - Manage work of assistant product managers
- Analyze and improve product performance in the market
- Analyze campaign effectiveness and fine tune future efforts
| - Create overall product objectives
- Develop an effective segmentation of the product market
- Create overall product marketing strategy
|
* Depends on company size, specific job, and location
Sources: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), Princeton Review, Salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Monster.com
Northeastern University - College of Business Administration
Northeastern offers its AACSB-accredited MBA program in a 100 percent online format. They are a world leader in practice-based education focused on expanding students' managerial skills and knowledge base.
Walden University
Walden University has unique and flexible online delivery models, world-class faculty and customizable programs which are all geared to help adult learners achieve their career goals.
