Director Of Sales

As part of the group within sales, marketing and advertising managers, these mid-level managers, director of sales, plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of establishments and departments involved in commercial, industrial, wholesale and e-business sales, marketing, advertising and public relations. They are employed by commercial, industrial and wholesale establishments, marketing and public relations consulting companies and by government departments.

If you are a dedicated sales professional or prospective career-entrant, to whom this summary of main duties particularly appeal, then this is the career for you!

• Sales managers plan, direct and evaluate the activities of sales departments in commercial, industrial, wholesale and other non-retail establishments.
• Marketing managers establish distribution networks for products and services, initiate market research studies and analyze their findings, assist in product development, direct and evaluate the marketing strategies of establishments.
• Advertising managers plan, direct and evaluate the activities of firms and departments that develop and implement advertising campaigns to promote the sales of products and services.
• Public relations managers direct and evaluate establishments and departments that develop and implement communication strategies and information programs, publicize activities and events, and maintain media relations on behalf of businesses, governments and other organizations.
• E-commerce managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the design, development and maintenance of internet and intranet sites to manage an organization's internet presence including public relations, communications and commercial activities.

Applicants with retail experience should have the best job opportunities in this occupation.

Overall employment is projected to grow more slowly than average; the number of self-employed sales worker supervisors is expected to decline. Long, irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, is common. In many retail establishments, managers are promoted from within the company; a postsecondary degree may speed a sales worker supervisor's advancement into management.

Job-boards, professional recruiting firms, network referrals, company websites and various professional sales associations homepages can provide you with recent postings and/or links to industry related information for further research and exploration as you consider either your first or next steps into a full-time sales-oriented career.

Sales and marketing managers require a university degree or college diploma in business administration or in a related field with a specialization in sales or marketing and several years of experience as a sales or marketing representative in a related occupation.

Advertising and public relations managers require a university degree or college diploma in public relations, communications, marketing, and journalism or in a related field and several years of experience as an advertising officer, public relations officer, communications officer or in a related occupation.

E-commerce managers usually require a university degree or college diploma in a field related to the content of the web site and experience in web site design, interactive media development, data administration or information systems analysis or experience related to the content of the web site. Progression to senior management positions is possible with experience.