What is a business manager?

Business managers use their strong skills in areas such as leadership, financial management, decision-making and problem-solving to help organisations reach their business and financial goals, overcome challenges that may come their way, and lead them to continued future success. 

For these reasons, skilled business managers are consistently in demand in the global job market, with job opportunities spanning a vast range of industries, countries and organisations. 

There is a wealth of career opportunities for business managers. But in today’s challenging and ever-evolving global business environment, it takes a high-calibre business manager with a strong business acumen to lead an organisation to success – both now and into the future. 

A degree in business management can be the pivotal first step in developing and enhancing your knowledge and skills in business management, and in launching your global career as a business manager.  

What does a business manager do? 

A business manager essentially leads an organisation and its staff to ensure the organisation remains productive, efficient, and successful. 

What a business manager does on a day-to-day basis largely depends on the organisation they’re working for and their individual needs. 

However, typically, a business manager is responsible for: 

• Managing the overarching daily activities of an organisation 

• Supervising work and ensuring work is delivered on-time and to quality standards 

• Leading staff 

• Achieving business, operational and financial goals 

Depending on the size of the organisation, business managers can also be responsible for developing and implementing budgets, hiring and training staff, and drafting business cases and reports for senior management. 

Learn more about the role of a business manager and how they lead businesses to success:

Business managers are key in ensuring the smooth running of an organisation, and in leading it towards its present and future success. 

What skills do you need to be a business manager? 

To be a successful business manager, you need to have a range of specific skills in the area of business management, as well as a range of highly-developed soft skills, such as communication and critical thinking. 

Since business managers are senior roles within an organisation (and therefore typically attract higher salaries than non-management roles), all these skills need to be at an advanced level to achieve success. 

Some of the core skills you need to succeed as a business manager include: 

• Leadership skills 

• Financial and accounting skills 

• Decision-making skills 

• Problem-solving skills 

• Communication skills 

• Critical, creative, and analytical thinking 

Evidently, you’ll also need to have an in-depth knowledge of the world of business and management to be able to succeed as a business manager. 

How can a BA in Business Management help you become a business manager? 

A BA in Business Management will give you both the in-depth knowledge and advanced skills you need to become a business manager, or to take the next step in your career in business management. 

Some of the skills you’ll gain with a BA in Business Management include: 

• Leadership skills 

• Communication skills 

• Time-management skills 

• Negotiation skills 

• Decision-making skills 

• Analytical, critical, and problem-solving skills 

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Some of the essential areas you’ll explore and gain a deeper understanding of also include: 

• Current issues facing the contemporary business world, such as sustainability, ethics, and global citizenship 

• Information technology 

• Marketing 

• Business strategy 

• Finance and operations 

• Corporate social responsibility 

• Business decision-making 

• Accounting and financial reporting 

• International business 

• Digital business management 

• Operations and supply management

• Business innovation and growth 

Equipped with these advanced skills and in-depth knowledge, you’ll be able to position yourself as a confident, resilient and highly-proficient business manager in the global job market, and to pursue a wide range of career opportunities around the world. You’ll also be able to future-proof your career and ensure your continued success as a business manager well into the future. 

If you’re interested in starting an exciting new career as a business manager, or in taking the next step in your business management career, discover how Cambridge Education Group's BA (Hons) Business Management (validated by London South Bank University) can position you as an in-demand business manager in today’s global job market.