What Do General Managers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for general managers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what general managers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
General Managers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about general managers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
General Managers determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Popular Job Titles For General Managers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Chiefs of Staff
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Operating Officers
- Assistant Managers
- Equipment Associates
- Public Affairs Specialists
- Relationship Bankers
- Directors of Finance
- Executive Directors
- City Managers
- Member Specialists
- General Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for general managers can be found.
Best Industries for General Managers
General Managers Jobs By Industry
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 8%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 6.5%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 5.2%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 4.7%
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government): 4.5%
- State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 4%
- Other: 67.1%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of general managers can be found working in the Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals sector. In 2023, about 8% of all jobs for general managers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (6.5%), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5.2%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (4.7%), Education and Hospitals (Local Government) (4.5%) and State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (4%).
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What Do General Managers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what general managers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work general managers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that general managers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for general managers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's General Managers
Based on 83,738 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for General Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | 11,966 | 14% |
| Marketing | 10,182 | 12% |
| Project Management | 10,178 | 12% |
| Accounting | 7,391 | 9% |
| Auditing | 7,086 | 8% |
Top 5 Common Skills for General Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 40,176 | 48% |
| Management | 38,874 | 46% |
| Leadership | 33,615 | 40% |
| Operations | 28,056 | 34% |
| Customer Service | 21,966 | 26% |
Based on 83,738 job postings related to general managers, finance was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 14% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for marketing, project management, accounting, auditing and public administration were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for general managers, followed by management, leadership, operations, customer service and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | 11,966 | 14% |
| Marketing | 10,182 | 12% |
| Project Management | 10,178 | 12% |
| Accounting | 7,391 | 9% |
| Auditing | 7,086 | 8% |
| Public Administration | 5,462 | 7% |
| Merchandising | 5,151 | 6% |
| Financial Statements | 4,701 | 6% |
| Fundraising | 4,546 | 5% |
| Financial Management | 4,096 | 5% |
| Public Relations | 4,047 | 5% |
| Process Improvement | 3,784 | 5% |
| Purchasing | 3,716 | 4% |
| Selling Techniques | 3,541 | 4% |
| Risk Management | 3,475 | 4% |
| Data Analysis | 3,430 | 4% |
| Cash Register | 3,426 | 4% |
| Effective Communication | 3,412 | 4% |
| Operational Excellence | 3,401 | 4% |
| Cash Handling | 3,386 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 40,176 | 48% |
| Management | 38,874 | 46% |
| Leadership | 33,615 | 40% |
| Operations | 28,056 | 34% |
| Customer Service | 21,966 | 26% |
| Planning | 18,215 | 22% |
| Sales | 17,278 | 21% |
| Writing | 15,768 | 19% |
| Problem Solving | 13,663 | 16% |
| Coordinating | 13,525 | 16% |
| Research | 11,224 | 13% |
| Budgeting | 11,106 | 13% |
| Presentations | 10,534 | 13% |
| Strategic Planning | 10,442 | 12% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 9,262 | 11% |
| Detail Oriented | 8,987 | 11% |
| Decision Making | 8,319 | 10% |
| Microsoft Office | 8,115 | 10% |
| Multitasking | 7,931 | 9% |
| Accountability | 7,781 | 9% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for General Managers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Chiefs of Staff | 8,100 | 14.3% |
| Chief Executive Officers | 4,647 | 8.2% |
| Chief Operating Officers | 5,054 | 8.9% |
| Assistant Managers | 7,662 | 13.6% |
| Equipment Associates | 3,861 | 6.8% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was chiefs of staff, with 3,263 unique job postings. Chief executive officers were second, with 1,802 postings, followed by chief operating officers, assistant managers and equipment associates.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to general managers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Chiefs of Staff | 8,100 | 14.3% |
| Chief Executive Officers | 4,647 | 8.2% |
| Chief Operating Officers | 5,054 | 8.9% |
| Assistant Managers | 7,662 | 13.6% |
| Equipment Associates | 3,861 | 6.8% |
| Public Affairs Specialists | 2,125 | 3.8% |
| Relationship Bankers | 3,223 | 5.7% |
| Directors of Finance | 1,919 | 3.4% |
| Executive Directors | 1,896 | 3.4% |
| City Managers | 1,286 | 2.3% |
| Member Specialists | 1,379 | 2.4% |
| General Managers | 1,571 | 2.8% |
| Public Information Officers | 1,678 | 3% |
| Sales and Service Associates | 2,733 | 4.8% |
| Public Works Directors | 1,257 | 2.2% |
| Presidents | 1,317 | 2.3% |
| Franchise Owners | 893 | 1.6% |
| Operations Managers | 1,373 | 2.4% |
| Presidents/Chief Executive Officers | 1,570 | 2.8% |
| Retail Warehouse Associates | 2,967 | 5.3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for general managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for general managers.
How much do general managers make?
General Managers: How do you become one?
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