What Does A Marketing Project Manager Do?

If your marketing team is burnt out, every project is testing the very limits of your resolve, your data analysts are struggling to meet deadlines, your content creators are failing to live up to customer expectations, and your brand strategists are breaking their backs to maintain that winning brand image—then it sounds like high time you got yourself a dedicated project manager who can steady the ship!

There are plenty of studies showing how high-stress environments can damage productivity. Yet, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of that toxic hustle culture, a mindset that prizes hours in the office over creativity, that sees hair-pulling and teeth-gnashing as an intrinsic part of getting things done!

What is Marketing Project Management?

Marketing project management ensures that campaigns and initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and with the desired impact for clients. It helps keep a holistic overview of what needs to be done, bringing together the many individuals and teams who help contribute and collaborate on any given project.

In smaller companies, project management responsibilities often fall on someone within the team, meaning they have multiple duties to fulfill while also making sure others are keeping up to their end of the bargain. This can strain resources and increase stress for both the manager and the team members, as only some have the required skills or experience to manage projects effectively.

However, today, there are plenty of project management apps for marketers that can help make the job much easier. Usually, they optimize the planning, execution, and evaluation of marketing projects, often providing a centralized platform for collaboration, communication, and task management that allows marketing teams to work seamlessly toward common goals.

A marketing manager’s duties are comprehensive, and understanding the essential skills required to be successful must be a priority.

What Are the Marketing Project Manager’s Duties?

A marketing project manager looks to bring success to all of your marketing initiatives, and duties encompass a wide range of responsibilities, from strategic planning to hands-on execution, defining project scopes, setting objectives, creating timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring that your team stays on track to meet goals.

This means project managers need essential skills in:

Technical Program Manager vs Marketing Project Manager

One crucial distinction is the difference between technical program managers and marketing project managers. Often, they share some duties and responsibilities in their roles. However, they each work in different domains. Technical program managers focus on overseeing the development and execution of technical projects, whereas marketing project managers specialize in the planning and execution of marketing initiatives.

This means that, whereas project marketing managers are responsible for strategy development, campaign planning, market research, and brand management, technical program managers oversee resource allocation, risk assessment and management, timelines and milestone tracking, and stakeholder communications, as well as integrating new technologies to make the project managers job easier and more efficient.

The Five-Phase Process of Marketing Project Management

Marketing project management can be broadly broken down into five key phases. Below, we explore each in more detail.

Planning — Setting Goals and Objectives

The first phase involves defining the project scope, setting goals, and establishing clear objectives. A detailed understanding of the target audience, market trends, and organizational capabilities is crucial during this phase. Clear communication of project expectations and deliverables is vital to align the team’s efforts.

Organization — Resource Allocation and Task Assignment

Once the plan is in place, the next step is organizing resources and assigning tasks. This phase involves identifying the skills required, allocating team members accordingly, and creating a timeline for task completion. Efficient organization sets the foundation for smooth project execution.

Execution — Implementing the Plan

With plans and resources in place, the execution phase involves implementing strategies. Marketing project managers lead their teams in implementing marketing campaigns, content creation, and other tasks outlined in the project plan. This phase requires effective communication and collaboration to ensure everyone works towards common objectives.

Control — Monitoring Progress and Making Adjustments

Monitoring project progress is crucial for identifying potential issues and making timely adjustments. Marketing project managers use key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success and address any deviations from the plan. This phase ensures that the project stays on track and meets its goals.

Delivery — Completing and Evaluating the Project

The final phase involves delivering the project to the stakeholders and evaluating its success. Marketing project managers assess the campaign’s impact, gather feedback, and document lessons learned. This information is valuable for improving future projects and refining the marketing strategy.

Why do Businesses Need Marketing Project Management?

If your business can effectively execute efficient project management, you and your team will enjoy a world of benefits. They include:

The Importance of Collaboration and Project Management Software

Collaboration tools are crucial in enhancing project efficiency, and Spike for Teams can be your go-to platform for managing any type of project. Featuring a centralized space for communication, task management, and document sharing, you and your team can collaborate seamlessly and efficiently—both in and out of the office.

This means project managers and team members can develop and share essential project skills to help push your initiatives forward. In fact, with clear tasks and to-dos, collaborative documents, and a shared calendar, the project manager can delegate tasks easily and keep an overview of the project without the need to micromanage team members.

Implementing Marketing Project Management — Best Practices and Strategies

To implement successful project management elements within your team, try introducing these best practices to get you started.

Choosing the Right Project Management Software

Selecting the right project management software is a critical decision for marketing teams. Factors to consider include the team’s specific needs, scalability, ease of use, and integration capabilities with other tools.

Establishing Clear Communication Channels

Clear communication is the cornerstone of successful project management. Establishing effective communication channels ensures that everyone on the team is on the same page, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and errors.

Regular Review and Adaptation of Strategies

Marketing project managers should regularly review and adapt strategies based on evolving market trends and feedback. Flexibility and a willingness to adjust courses are essential for long-term success.

Wrap-Up: The Future of Marketing Teams

The future of marketing teams worldwide is intrinsically tied to developments in technology. With apps like Spike, teams can ditch the app switching and siloed information to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and elevate overall performance.

However, these developments must be supported with a commitment to ongoing learning and skill development. This means staying current with the latest trends, actively seeking opportunities to learn, and becoming experts at effectively using the latest technologies and software, including the fast-developing potential of project management AI.

For more information on how Spike for Teams can keep your marketing team ahead of the curve, contact us today and download the app.