International Marketing Directors prepare the main guidelines for the company's export marketing policy and ensure that they are observed.

They follow up on this policy, provide support for the sales force and measure the results obtained.
Like their counterpart in charge of the domestic market, they participate in the upstream stage of product design, relying on their knowledge of markets as a basis for reflection.
The difference between the two positions lies in the difficulty of adapting marketing tools (sales support, analysis of clientele etc.) to the nature of the local market; they must therefore have a good knowledge of the cultural, economic and political issues affecting the markets in question.

As a "Manager", they may supervise product managers or the sales force.
They also supervise market research and promotion work.

They must have a highly developed sense of diplomacy and be a good communicator. They must have strong analytical and synthesis skills and must also be good at handling figures and statistics.

They must speak English fluently and have a good command of a second or even third foreign language.

Lastly, they should have a genuine interest in getting to know others, including their cultures, history, way of life and customs.