A day in the life of a marketing executive

Marketing has a reputation for being fast-paced, creative and a little bit lively at times, and honestly… that isn’t wrong. It’s what we all know and love about the industry. But what does it actually look like day to day, and what do marketing executives really get up to behind the scenes?

To find out, I sat down with Remy Hall, Marketing Executive at the Chartered Institute of Marketing, to get the inside scoop on what his role really involves. From campaign planning and delivering feedback to stakeholder meetings and project management, Remy gave us a real-life look into what it's like working behind the scenes in marketing at one of the industry's most established organisations.

Getting into the industry

Remy didn’t always know that marketing would be the route he’d take. It was during his business degree at university, which had a module on marketing, that the subject really stood out. “Marketing just felt like the area I could explore most,” he told me. “You can be creative, analytical, strategic, and you see it in action everywhere.”

That visibility was what pulled him in. Whether it’s a campaign on the side of a bus, an ad on Instagram or the layout of a supermarket shelf, marketing is the driving force behind it all. It was that realisation that made him want to be part of it.

After finishing university, he landed his first job as a Marketing Coordinator at CIM, supporting the communications team with newsletters, content and internal updates. Just over a year in, he stepped into his current role as a Marketing Executive within the planning team, with more responsibility, more creativity, and a bigger picture view of how marketing impacts the wider organisation.

What does a Marketing Executive actually do?

If you think a marketing executive spends their day just planning ideas or scrolling on social media, you’d be wrong. There’s so much more behind the scenes that goes on to make campaigns happen, and marketing executives are a key part of this.

As part of Remy’s role in the planning team, he’s involved right at the start of every campaign. “I work with stakeholders to understand what they need from a marketing perspective. Once that’s clear, I brief the wider team, keep track of timelines and make sure everything is running smoothly.”

Every day looks slightly different, but most start with checking his emails, reviewing his calendar and making sure he’s prepared for the meetings ahead. From there, it’s anything from reviewing artwork and copy, to updating creative briefs or responding to stakeholder feedback. There’s usually a selection of collaborative meetings to help with aligning teams like digital, content, and events on upcoming projects.

What makes the role exciting is the variety. “One day you could be working on a fast-turnaround campaign to raise awareness of a new membership benefit, and the next it’s a nine-month project like The Pitch,” Remy explained. “There’s a balance of sales, engagement and brand awareness and each project needs a slightly different approach.”

Skills that make a difference

When I asked Remy what skills help you thrive as a marketing exec, his answer was refreshingly real. “You need to be adaptable. Marketing moves fast and so do your priorities. You’ve got to be ready to jump between projects and learn as you go.”

He also mentioned communication as one of the most overlooked skills. “It’s not just writing great copy, it’s being able to communicate clearly with your team, with stakeholders, with creatives. A big part of the job is making sure everyone’s on the same page.”

Confidence also plays a role, not in the loud, flashy way, but in the sense of being willing to try, learn and share your ideas. “You’re not expected to know everything straight away. But if you show you’re keen and willing to learn, people take notice.”

The challenges and the wins

No marketing role is without its challenges, and for Remy, it’s the same. The biggest one? Balancing multiple timelines and working across so many teams. “There are always a few spinning plates, so it takes good organisation to keep things moving,” he said.

But the highlights far outweigh the hectic moments. “Seeing a campaign come to life from the original brief to the final delivery never gets old. Especially when you know it’s helping someone discover something valuable.”

Advice for those starting out

Remy is passionate about supporting aspiring marketers, and he shared some really practical advice. “Try to get experience however you can. That could be a short internship, volunteering, or even making your own fake campaign to showcase your skills.”

He stressed that experience doesn’t always mean a full-time job. “It’s about showing that you’ve thought about marketing beyond your studies, that you’ve put effort into learning, trying and testing ideas.”

He also encouraged new marketers to ask questions, sit in on meetings where possible, and really get to know the business they’re in. “You’ll learn so much just by being present and understanding how things fit together.”

And the one myth he wants to bust? “That marketing is just social media posts. There’s so much that happens behind the scenes to make things work, from strategy to execution to evaluation. One post can’t do it all.”

Looking ahead

As for what’s next in his own career, Remy is keen to keep moving up the ladder and eventually step into a more strategic role. “I want to be more involved in leading campaigns from a higher level, but also support younger marketers coming through. Helping others learn is something I’m really passionate about.”

He’s also curious about the globalisation of marketing and how brands operate across borders. And like the rest of us, he’s keeping an eye on the evolving role of AI. “It’s not about replacing marketers, it’s about learning how to use it to support what we do.”

Final thoughts

Whether you’re thinking about marketing as a future career or just getting started in your first role, Remy’s story is a brilliant reminder that there’s no one set path. What matters most is curiosity, confidence and a willingness to keep learning.

“Jump into it with two feet,” he said. “Marketing opens up so many doors. There’s room to be creative, strategic and collaborative, and the skills you gain here are transferable across all kinds of industries.”

So if you’re wondering whether a role like this could be for you, take this as your sign. Your future in marketing might just start with a conversation like this one.

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