Are you trying to decide your next career move: Expert Contributor vs. Project Manager? The best choice depends on your goals, working style, and long-term ambitions. Here’s a comparison to help you decide:
MARKETING PROJECT MANAGER
Pros:
- Big-picture leadership: You oversee timelines, resources, and collaboration across teams.
- Career trajectory: Opens doors to director or executive roles.
- Skill use: Strong for organizational, strategic, and people management skills.
Cons:
- Less hands-on creativity: You may not be the one crafting copy or designing.
- More meetings & admin: You’ll spend time managing people and processes.
Ideal for you if: You enjoy leading teams, making things run smoothly, and having influence over outcomes without being the one doing all the execution.
EXPERT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR
Pros:
- Deep expertise: You become highly skilled and respected in a niche.
- Creative or analytical satisfaction: You get to actually build things.
- Flexibility: Often easier to freelance or consult long-term.
Cons:
- Less control: You’re usually not making final decisions.
- Plateau potential: May require effort to grow income or title without shifting roles.
Ideal for you if: You love owning your craft, diving deep into campaign performance or creative output, and making tangible contributions.
Gut-check questions to ask yourself:
- Do I want to lead or create?
- Do I get more energy from managing people or perfecting a campaign?
- Am I aiming for executive leadership or specialized mastery?


Leave a comment