Business manager job description + salary, skills and tips

This guide includes everything you need to know about the role of a business manager, from salary ranges and responsibilities to areas for progression and a sample job description.

Business managers report to the organisation’s senior management or directly to its owners, regularly evaluating the company’s performance.

They implement these strategies and direct employees, ultimately improving operational efficiency, meeting financial goals and increasing revenue.

Business managers take charge of departments or even a whole organisation, setting goals and creating strategies to achieve long term success.

If you think you are a good match for the role, please send through a CV and cover letter to our HR manager Karen Murphy at [email protected]

We are seeking an experienced business manager to join our hard-working team. Your responsibilities will focus on managing a team of 80 call centre staff, ensuring they are able to effectively support our customer base and achieve both business and individual KPIs.

Our Manchester call centre provides exceptional customer service and technical support to a range of clients in the manufacturing industry. Our state-of-the-art contact centre has modern facilities, with an on-site café and breaks area.

How much do business managers earn?

Business managers earn an average of £37,500 with the opportunity to exceed this number with performance-related bonuses.

Business manager salaries in the UK

• Low: £27,000

• Average: £37,500

• High: £49,439

Source: Totaljobs

Business manager salaries can vary based on;

• Size of team – e.g. is the role in charge of a small department such as HR or sales, or the entire organisation?
• Industry – e.g. some industries, such as pharmaceuticals, will pay higher salaries than others, such as call centres
• Experience – e.g. senior business managers with significant experience running teams can earn more than those who have just stepped into a management role

For example, a senior business manager with more than 10 years’ experience and a background in sales within the pharmaceutical industry, can command a higher salary than a junior business manager overseeing a car dealership.

Due to the nature of the role, there are often performance-related bonuses attached to base salaries that can see a business manager substantially increase their income if they achieve their objectives.

What does a business manager do?

This section breaks down the job description into simple terms, listing the tasks and responsibilities a business manager can expect in an average working week;

• Setting business goals – Devising and communicating business goals that will improve the overall operations and sales of the business (or department)
• Implementing business plans – Setting plans and driving performance to achieve the business goals

• Managing resources – Ensuring the organisation or business has enough resources to deliver on its objectives, including people and facilities
• Leading teams –Setting targets, inspiring team members and keeping them on track to deliver their personal and team objectives
• Recruitment and training – Managing human resources from initial hiring and training, through to performance management
• Client and supplier management – Developing and maintaining positive relationships with a range of stakeholders including customers and suppliers
• Reporting – Preparing regular updates to senior executives against established business goals

What do business managers need?

Business managers should possess a solid set of business management skills that will help them identify and drive efficiencies within their team.

Here is a basic overview of what’s needed.

Experience

Business managers will need previous experience working within a business setting, managing teams of people and working towards business goals – often within sales

Business manager skills

To succeed as a business manager, a candidate should possess a number of skills including:

• Performance management – Setting individual and team targets, and holding people to account
• Leadership – Motivating employees and creating a strong work culture based on achieving business goals
• Interpersonal skills – Communicating with a range of different stakeholders including staff, customers and suppliers
• Resource management – Allocating financial and human resources effectively
• Analysis – The ability to constantly review sales and performance data, and make adjustments to business operations as required
• Business acumen – Understanding of business principles including financial performance and leadership
• Industry knowledge – Possessing sound knowledge of the industry within which the business operates including competitive landscape and market trends
• Business financials – a solid understanding of revenue, profits, margins and forecasts

Business manager qualifications

Business managers aren’t required to complete formal qualifications and will often have worked their way up within an organisation. However, there is also the opportunity to study business management courses which will help formalise some on-the-job learning.

Bachelor of Business Management

A number of universities across the UK offer bachelor’s degrees in business management, offering an introduction to how organisations operate. Core modules may include topics such as business economics, quantitative research and analysis, operations and supply management and marketing fundamentals.

ILM Leadership and Management qualifications

ILM has a range of courses across different seniority levels from team leaders to middle managers and senior managers. Topics include team leadership, leading with integrity, personal branding and strategic management. There is also the opportunity to gain an NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership or Strategic Management and Leadership.

ILM also run management apprenticeship schemes to support employees to work towards a formal accreditation while working in a business setting.

What is expected of business managers?

Typically, business managers will be expected to commit to the following;

• Full time work – During standard business hours
• Some overtime and evening work – During peak times
• Target achievement – Minimum performance standards set by leadership will be expected to be reached
• Location – Office based with some requirement to travel to meetings with suppliers, etc.

Business manager benefits

Business managers receive a number of benefits in addition to their base salary including things like:

• Pension
• Healthcare
• Training and development
• Car allowances
• Corporate discounts
• Commission and bonuses – Especially in sales departments

Who employs business managers?

Business manager roles are available in any company with large teams, who require direction, leadership and monitoring. This means that business manager roles are available in a huge range of industries. However they are most commonly found in sales departments, as they often have challenging targets to meet, and benefit from a leader to direct staff actions.

Some common employers include;

• Call centres
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Manufacturing and logistics companies
• Banking and financial services
• Education and training organisations – Such as schools and universities
• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Construction
• Government

Which junior jobs progress to business manager roles?

Business managers are often appointed within a company, after demonstrating a solid understanding of the business and industry, combined with good performance. Such jobs include

Sales executive

Sales executives are responsible for carrying out work set by business managers and sales managers. They carry out lead generation, cold calling, and other sales work in order to close sales and generate revenue – business manager is a natural progression from this role.

Which senior jobs do business managers progress to?

Business managers generally report directly to the senior executive team or owner of the company, so the next step is progressing to a general management position. Where they could be promoted to would vary greatly depending on the organisation they work for, but a typical promotion would be:

Sales director

Sales directors are one of the most senior staff in company and they are responsible for all sales activity and performance across the business. For business managers working in a sales-focused area, who have proven their ability to deliver sales, this is a natural progression

Business managers job description – conclusion

A career as a business manager is ideal for someone who enjoys setting a strategic vision, and then working with people to attain business goals.

It is varied, involves working with a great number of different people every day and can be incredibly rewarding when business managers see their strategies achieved.

Similar jobs: Sales manager