what is a manager?
A manager is a person responsible for all functions of a specific part of a company. You can be in charge of a department or the whole business. You perform all the managerial functions in your capacity, which give you the power to fire, hire, promote and discipline your team members.
Depending on the role, a manager can be referred to as a managing director or supervisor. For instance, top managers in charge of formulating company goals and strategies are considered managing directors. As a managing director, you are the steward of the company's mission and objectives. Functional managers are also considered directors since they ensure efficiency in specific departments of a company. If you head the marketing department, you are referred to as the director.
Supervisors are also managers, but they lead a small section of employees or groups. As a supervisor, you ensure your team members accomplish their tasks and objectives.
To be a successful manager, you need fantastic leadership qualities and problem-solving skills to juggle issues that arise when running the organisation. You also need charisma and great customer service skills to maintain a good image of the company you represent.
Would working as a manager suit your problem-solving abilities? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a manager role.
manager jobsaverage salary of a manager
The average salary of a manager in the UK is £45,535 per year according to ONS. However, the figure fluctuates depending on the duties and industry sector. Some industry sectors pay as low as £24,000, while senior managers earn up to £86,000 annually. Aside from wages, managers often receive numerous benefits depending on the position held. A managing director may have a house allowance, personal drivers and other executive privileges, while supervisors may only enjoy health insurance and paid vacation. Managers also receive generous bonuses when they achieve milestones and company targets.
what factors affect the salary of a manager?
If you want to increase your salary as a manager, you can switch to a better-paying industry sector. For instance, a manager in retail earns less compared to a manager in the financial sector. Your experience also influences your pay, and at an entry-level position, you cannot compare your salary with someone who has years of relevant work experience. Better educational qualifications and certifications also improve your experience. For example, a manager with a masters and doctoral degree earns more compared to those with an undergraduate.
Small companies also don't provide a lucrative compensation package, but you will gain experience. Large organisations pay more due to the complexity of work and the higher expectations. It also helps to work in large cities instead of small towns.
types of managers
You can become a general manager or focus on specific departments and fields in an organisation. Some of the types of managers include:
- business development manager: as a manager, you develop business expansion plans and strategies. You determine ways to diversify the business to boost income and accelerate expansion.
- marketing manager: as a marketing manager or director, you oversee the marketing department to ensure they achieve their objectives. Your job is to build the visibility of the company's brand.
- project manager: when you are a project manager, you put together the resources necessary for achieving a goal. You plan all the aspects of a project, from inception to completion.
- retail manager: as a retail or store manager, you supervise other workers to ensure good customer service. You also manage inventory and ensure the sales targets are met.
working as a manager
Managers are leaders who inspire other workers to work better and solve any problem that may arise within an organisation. Let's explore some of the daily activities and schedules of a manager.
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manager job description
As a manager, you perform the following duties and responsibilities:
- ensuring the smooth running of operations: whether you are working in the manufacturing or retail sector, you are responsible for ensuring the day-to-day operations run smoothly. That means ensuring the budget is adhered to, and cash flow remains positive.
- goal setting: as a manager, you need a plan and a direction that you want the company to take. You develop short-term and long-term goals to keep you motivated and on track with the company vision. You also come up with strategies to keep the company growing.
- working with HR: managers are in charge of all the organisational functions, which means you can assist the human resource team in identifying recruitment needs. You are also involved in onboarding staff, performance appraisal and training to keep your workers motivated.
- organising and leading: it is not enough to plan; as a manager, you need to manage your teams and provide the necessary resources to complete tasks. As a leader, you communicate and motivate employees and help them solve problems.
- performance checks: measuring performance is the role of a manager. After setting goals and assigning resources, you should keep track of the progress of projects and ensure milestones are attained. It is vital to take corrective action when problems arise to stay on track.
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work environment
As a manager, you will work in multiple sectors and diverse work environments. Some managers work in hospitals, financial institutions, local authorities and manufacturing industries. Whether you secure a job in the private or public sector, you work in an office. The office environment varies depending on the position you hold in the company hierarchy. In a traditional hierarchy, a managing director has ample creative space, while supervisors may share an office with team members. Although many companies these days have a shared coworking space. When you work in a retail set-up, you are likely to work in the back office, and sometimes you have to move around to supervise.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include healthcare professionals in the medical sector or cashiers, stockroom assistants and sales associates in the retail sector. In manufacturing, you might be working in close proximity to engineers, production operatives and assembly workers. In fact, a career as a manager is so broad in scope, there really is no limit to the people you might meet.
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work schedule
Managers work the standard 9 am to 5 pm work schedule, but your job doesn't end when you leave the office. Since you are a figurehead and brand ambassador of your company, you may need to attend events and conferences in the industry to maintain your professional network. Managerial positions are often full-time positions that take over 40 hours a week, and sometimes you work evenings and weekends. Some managerial positions are on a shift basis; for instance, supervisory roles require the supervisor to be available 24/7. Hence, some supervisors can work night shifts, especially in the manufacturing industry.
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job outlook
Becoming a manager is a promising career since it provides exciting job opportunities. For instance, you can move from manager to chief executive officer or other top officials in the organisation. Aside from the promising prospects, the diverse roles available in various sectors give you multiple options. It is possible to switch from one industry to another, and some managers also become consultants or entrepreneurs. However, you need years of experience and exceptional qualifications to move successfully to self-employment.
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advantages of finding a manager job through randstad
Finding your manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
To become a manager, you should start at entry-level positions and gain experience for a managerial position. You also need educational qualifications like:
- degree: managers need a bachelor's degree in any field, and you can do an undergraduate programme in business administration or take up a degree in a related field. For instance, if you want to become a manager in a manufacturing company, an engineering degree will boost your prospects.
- master's: a master's in business administration (MBA) is not compulsory, but it increases your competitiveness. If you want to work in large companies, an MBA gives you the relevant skills. Some roles also require a doctoral degree and other certifications to improve your leadership skills and becomes a registered manager.
- work experience: apart from academic qualifications, you need relevant work experience. You can gain experience in leadership through internships and taking entry-level jobs as you work your way up the ladder.
skills and competencies
Managerial positions require technical skills and competencies. Some of the skills you need include:
- industry-specific knowledge: as a manager, you need to understand the best practices for smooth operations. That means industry-specific knowledge is important to excel. Sometimes you have to direct employees or formulate strategies, and expertise in the industry helps you determine if the goals are achievable.
- decision-making skills: managers need to be decisive to determine the direction of a business. You have to make significant decisions on short notice, and decision-making skills ensure effective leadership.
- time management skills: as a manager, you handle multiple responsibilities at once, and without time management skills, you cannot accomplish your tasks. You also need to manage your team's time and come up with efficient strategies to prioritise tasks.
- leadership ability: when you are a manager, leadership skills help you motivate employees and drive them towards the company goals. You should also provide support to employees to help them achieve their goals.
- financial acumen: when you are a manager, financial management enables you to create budgets and develop cost-effective ways to conduct business operations. You also review the business's financial position and determine cash flow problems and how to rectify them.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a manager
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what do managers do?
A manager is a leader who organises and plans company resources to ensure business operations run as expected. Aside from organising, they are involved in human resource management.
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who is a manager?
A manager is a figurehead of an organisation and represents its interests. They also lead and manage resources within the organisation.
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what are the four types of managers?
The four types of managers are top-level managers, middle, line and team managers. Top-level managers are executives, while middle-level managers are in charge of specific departments.
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is a manager a good job?
Being a manager allows you to influence real change in an organisation and motivate team members to improve performance. Managerial positions also provide lucrative compensation packages.
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what is a manager's salary?
The average salary of a manager is £45,535 per year. You can earn a higher salary if you have more experience and educational qualifications.
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how do I apply for a manager vacancy?
Applying for a manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
