How to Structure a Marketing Dream Team

Navigating the business landscape requires strategic finesse. A well-structured marketing team serves as a compass, guiding firms through this dynamic terrain.

Understanding how to build such a team is crucial. It holds the promise of seamless operations and effective marketing strategies. We've learned this firsthand while growing our own marketing agency, GrantSpark.

But first, let's talk about the Marketing department structures you have to choose from.

Structuring Marketing Department

There are two main types of department structures based on company size and resources.

• Marketing department structure by discipline
  • Org Type: Traditional corporate departments
  • Best For: Midsize/Enterprise companies
• Marketing department structure by function
  • Org Type: Employees are grouped by activities and objectives
  • Best For: Small to Medium Sized Business (SMB)

Let’s go in-depth to each one of them.

1. Marketing Department Structure by Discipline

Discipline-based structure involves building teams centered around various marketing disciplines. For example, SEO, Content, Market Research, and Product Strategy could each form separate teams within a department.

Discipline	Key Skills	Potential Roles
Strategy	Market Research, Trend Analysis, Strategic Planning, Competitive Analysis	Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing Strategist, Marketing Analyst
Content	Copywriting, SEO, Content Strategy, Storytelling, Editing	Content Manager, SEO Specialist, Copywriter
Social Media	Community Management, Social Media Strategy, Content Creation, Analytics	Social Media Manager, Social Media Strategist, Community Manager
Email	Email Strategy, CRM, Copywriting, Analytics	Email Marketing Manager, CRM Specialist, Marketing Automation Manager
SEO	Keyword Research, SEO Strategy, On-page & Off-page SEO, Analytics	SEO Manager, SEO Specialist, SEO Analyst
PR	Media Relations, Event Coordination, Crisis Management, Brand Management	PR Manager, Media Relations Specialist, PR Coordinator
Product	Product Development, Market Research, Competitive Analysis, Customer Experience	Product Marketing Manager, Product Marketing Specialist, Product Marketing Analyst
Analytics	Data Analysis, Market Research, Trend Analysis, Reporting	Marketing Analyst, Data Analyst, Market Research Analyst

2. Marketing Department Structure by Function

Another approach is structuring by function, where teams are formed based on the different functions they perform. For example, promotion, launches, and relationship management could all be separate teams.

Function	Key Skills	Potential Roles
Brand	Brand Strategy, Visual Design, Storytelling, Market Research	Brand Manager, Brand Strategist, Brand Designer
Advertising	Media Planning, Creative Direction, Copywriting, Data Analysis	Advertising Manager, Media Planner, Creative Director
Events	Event Planning, Vendor Management, Budgeting, Public Speaking	Events Manager, Event Coordinator, Event Marketing Specialist
Sales Enablement	Sales Strategy, Content Creation, CRM, Presentation Skills	Sales Enablement Manager, Sales Content Creator, CRM Specialist
Partnership	Relationship Building, Strategic Planning, Negotiation, Communication	Partnership Manager, Strategic Partner Specialist, Business Development Manager
Customer Relationship	CRM, Customer Service, Communication, Problem-solving	CRM Manager, Customer Success Manager, Account Manager

Marketing Team Size versus Business Scale

To achieve successful marketing outcomes, you need to align the team size with your business's scale – a strategic approach that helps optimize resources and drive targeted growth.

Business Scale	Ideal Department Size	Explanation
Start-up	1-3	Limited resources, focus on essential marketing tasks.
Small-Medium Business	4-10	More resources, broader marketing strategies needed.
Large Enterprise	10+	Extensive marketing campaigns, global reach, multiple product lines.

Factors to Consider When Deciding On a Marketing Department Structure

1. Company's Size: The bigger a company is, the more specialized roles it might need. A small firm might combine roles, or use a marketing generalist while a large one might have separate teams for everything.
2. Business Goals: The structure should align with what the business wants to achieve. If the goal is to increase online presence, then digital marketers should be a priority.
3. Marketing Strategy: Your team structure should reflect your marketing strategy. If content marketing is key, then content creators and strategists should be integral parts of the team.
4. Budget: Financial resources play a big part. A company with a smaller budget might need to prioritize essential roles and outsource others.
5. Industry Trends: Stay updated with latest trends. If influencer marketing is on the rise in your industry, consider adding roles that can handle this.

Explore other marketing departments:

• Product Marketing Team Structure
• Advertising Agency Team Structure
• Integrated Marketing Team Structure

So, there you have it, a detailed overview of a Marketing team structure. From the essence of the team and key roles, to structuring and optimizing; every aspect tailored to achieve success on your business blueprint.