What does a General Manager do?
A General Manager handles the day-to-day running of a business. They manage the company’s personnel, physical and financial resources to improve the company’s bottom line. They are also responsible for overseeing customer interactions and resolving any issues. In addition, they interact with other Managers across the organisation and liaise with external contractors and vendors.
General Managers work across industries including retail, hospitality, food and drink, finance and more. They are senior-level staff and could also be in executive management, depending on the company. General Managers have various names across industries. In banking, they are called Branch Managers or Regional Managers. In technology and IT, they are known as Product Managers or Operations Managers.
General Manager skills and qualifications
A successful General Managers candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, these include:
- Knowledge of the principles of business administration
- Familiarity with process improvement principles
- Performance management skills
- Excellent leadership and delegation skills
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Patience and attention to detail
- Working knowledge of marketing strategies
- Financial analytics and numeracy skills
General Manager experience requirements
A General Manager must have some experience in management. They should have worked in the relevant industry for at least five years. Some companies require candidates to have been employed with them for a number of years before they get promoted to General Manager. Some companies may prefer a candidate who has experience being an Assistant Manager before moving to the General Manager position.
General Manager education and training requirements
General Managers must have at least te minimum GCSEs and some higher education qualifications such as college diplomas. Depending on the company and industry they work in, many companies prefer a bachelors’ degree in business or a related field. Some companies require candidates to have a Master’s Degree, such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Financial Management.
Some employers require prospective General Managers to complete a number of training programs, such as the Chartered Management Institute in Management and Leadership (Level 4 to 6), Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership Practice and Level 8 Strategic Direction and Leadership. Some employers also require candidates to obtain industry-specific certifications, such as the Certified Associate in Project Management and Project Management Professional certification, to prove their general understanding of management and leadership.
General Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of General Managers in the UK is £38,557 per year. This figure varies depending on factors, including the years of experience needed for the position, the specific company and the geographical location of the job.
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