Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Plan and prepare advertising and promotional material to increase sales of products or services, working with customers, company officials, sales departments, and advertising agencies.
• Inspect layouts and advertising copy, and edit scripts, audio, video, and other promotional material for adherence to specifications.
• Confer with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as contracts, selection of advertising media, or product to be advertised.
• Coordinate with the media to disseminate advertising.
• Coordinate activities of departments, such as sales, graphic arts, media, finance, and research.
• Plan and execute advertising policies and strategies for organisations.
• Direct, motivate, and monitor the mobilisation of a campaign team to advance campaign goals.
• Prepare budgets and submit estimates for program costs as part of campaign plan development.
• Contact organisations to explain services and facilities offered.
• Monitor and analyse sales promotion results to determine cost effectiveness of promotion campaigns.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

There are many pathways into a career in advertising. Courses and experience in Marketing, Media and Communications will all be relevant starting points. 

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Sales associate, project & supervisory management, Digital Marketing courses in centres around Ireland at NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business, Sales, Marketing, Commerce, Social Media and Public Relations, Business Management & Marketing, Journalism, Digital Media and Public Relations, and Digital Marketing at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales, Auctioneering, Recruitment Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Marketing, Advertising, Digital Media marketing, Digital Marketing and Public Relations, Event Management with Public Relations, Media and Public Relations, Social Media and Public Relations at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Marketing, Journalism & Public Relations, Public Relations & Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Public Relations with New Media NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €75k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Sigmar / Morgan McKinley/ Prosperity/ Lincoln/ Clark/ Excel/ Sigmar

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment has grown annually over the five-year period, with the exception of 2023, giving rise to a high annual average growth rate. However, despite an increase of 2,600 persons employed since 2023, employment levels in this occupation remain small and detailed analysis is not possible.

A third of the employment permits issued for this occupation related to roles in the ICT sector with permits issued for roles including marketing managers/directors. The relatively high volume of online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) for this occupation mostly related to marketing/sales directors.

• Association of Advertisers in Ireland

  • Rock House, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 659 9457
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here