Hiring a Growth Marketer

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, one role has emerged as a game-changer: the growth marketer (or growth marketing manager).  

Navigating the digital marketing world for over 15 years, I’ve witnessed the transformation from traditional strategies to the dynamic, data-driven approaches that define growth marketing today.

Growth marketing, often mistaken for a buzzword, is actually a profound shift in how companies approach building their customer base and scaling their operations. Unlike traditional marketing, which often focuses on broad strategies and long-term campaigns, growth marketing dives into the nitty-gritty of rapid experimentation, data analysis, and tactical adjustments—all aimed at achieving sustainable growth.

Through this article, I aim to peel back the layers of what it truly means to be a growth marketer. I’ll take you through the essential skills and objectives that mark the role, walk you through a typical day in the life of a growth marketing manager, and provide you with actionable advice on how to recruit one. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a CEO looking to scale your business, or a fellow marketer, I hope to shed light on that real important role (and I’m not saying this because this is my job, promise! 🙂)

What is a growth marketer?

A Growth Marketer is a strategic marketing professional who specializes in driving business growth. 

Using a combination of analytical skills, creativity, and data-driven insights to develop and implement effective marketing strategies, their primary focus is on achieving measurable results, such as increasing customer acquisition (with SEO or paid campaigns for instance), retention, and conversion rates. 

They closely analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and campaign performance to optimize marketing efforts. A Growth Marketing Manager collaborates with cross-functional teams, utilizes various marketing channels, and continuously experiments to unlock growth opportunities and maximize return on investment.

What does a growth marketing manager do?

As a Growth marketing manager myself, I’ll try to explain what are my missions and day-to-day tasks:

9:00 am – 9:30 am: I kickstart my day by diving into data analysis, extracting valuable insights to guide my marketing decisions for the day ahead.

9:30 am – 10:30 am: With a steaming cup of tea in hand, I brainstorm and strategize growth campaigns across various channels, such as social media, email, and content marketing. I identify target audiences and develop compelling messaging that resonates with them.

10:30 am – 11:30 am: It’s time for execution! I work on crafting captivating content, designing eye-catching visuals, and setting up campaign structures. I ensure everything is aligned with our growth objectives and brand guidelines.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Collaborating with the creative team, I review and provide feedback on marketing assets, ensuring they are visually appealing and aligned with our brand identity. We fine-tune designs to maximize engagement and conversions.

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunchtime! I take a well-deserved break, refuel, and recharge for the second half of the day.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: After lunch, I dive into performance analysis. I review campaign metrics, track KPIs, and identify areas for improvement. I keep a close eye on conversion rates, engagement levels, and customer acquisition costs.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: I dedicate this hour to exploring emerging trends, new marketing tools, and innovative techniques. I stay updated with the latest industry developments, attending webinars, reading blogs, and engaging in professional communities.

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Collaboration time! I meet with cross-functional teams, including product, sales, and analytics, to align strategies and share insights. Together, we brainstorm ways to optimize user journeys, improve conversion funnels, and enhance the overall customer experience.

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Experimentation hour! I set up A/B tests, run experiments, and analyze the results. I experiment with different ad copies, landing page variations, and audience segments to find winning combinations that drive optimal growth.

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: As the day winds down, I wrap up the tasks, review progress against goals, and prepare reports to communicate key insights to stakeholders. I prioritize action items for the next day, ensuring we stay on track to achieve our growth targets.

Recruit a growth marketing manager –  job description:

As we will more generally find this kind of job in the very closed environment of SaaS, let’s say you’re IT SaaS Startup HR (or CMO) and you plan to recruit a Growth marketing manager soon. 

Here is what I’d be more likely to write (of course, You can copy, modify and use it for your recruitment process…). 

Growth Marketing Manager Salary (USA and Europe)

Junior Growth Marketing Manager:

• In the USA, juniors can expect a salary range of approximately $50,000 to $80,000 per year. However, it’s important to note that factors such as the specific industry, company size, and geographical location can influence the salary range. For instance, high-demand industries like technology or finance may offer higher compensation.

• In Europe, juniors can expect a salary range of around €35,000 to €55,000 per year. Similarly, location and industry play a significant role in determining the salary range, with major cities and thriving tech hubs often offering higher salaries.

Senior Growth Marketing Manager:

• In the USA, seniors with extensive experience and a proven track record can command a salary range of approximately $90,000 to $150,000 per year. Factors such as the size and success of the company, industry competitiveness, and geographic location can significantly impact the salary.
• In Europe, seniors can expect a salary range of approximately €60,000 to €100,000 per year. Just like in the USA, the specific location and industry play a vital role in determining the compensation package.

Factors Influencing Compensation:

• Experience: The level of experience directly affects the salary range. Junior managers with limited experience will likely fall at the lower end, while those with extensive experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries.
• Location: The cost of living and demand for talent in a specific location influence compensation. Major cities and tech hubs tend to offer higher salaries due to increased competition for skilled professionals.
• Industry: Industries with higher revenue potential, such as technology, finance, and e-commerce, often offer more competitive compensation packages to attract top talent.
• Company Size: The size of the company can impact compensation. Larger organizations with greater resources and revenue potential may offer higher salaries compared to smaller startups or companies with limited budgets.
• Performance: Exceptional performance, meeting or exceeding growth targets, and driving measurable results can lead to salary increases, bonuses, or performance-based incentives.

It’s important to note that these salary ranges are approximate and can vary based on individual circumstances and market conditions. Candidates should research industry benchmarks, consider the specific company’s compensation structure, and negotiate based on their qualifications and experience.

Well, that’s all for now…
I truly believe that the job of growth marketer will keep evolving in the future (I tend to think that generative AI solutions will – at some point – transform the marketing market / you can read my latest article about it here). Fortunately, experienced growth marketing managers shouldn’t really fear it as they would keep being praised to test and optimize campaigns to bring a maximum of growth to their companies. They would be the ones using AI tools – not being replaced by them (at least, not before five to ten years :)).