Management

Managers are needed in every type of organisation in both the private and public sectors. They undertake many different activities including:

  • Quality management
  • Facilities management
  • Personnel management
  • Marketing
  • Project management
  • Business continuity
  • Environment and water management


Managers also work in schools, colleges, and charities.

According to official statistics around 4.5m people in the UK regard themselves as managers or working at an equivalent level.

Check out the professional bodies own entries in the Professions Finder


* Considering a career in management? Have a look at these tips from career experts Position Ignition.


What do managers do?

According to Peter Drucker, who is widely credited with inventing modern management, a manager:

  • Plans and organises
  • Sets objectives
  • Motivates and communicates
  • Measures business activities
  • Develops people


These responsibilities can be found in the job descriptions of many professionals; good management is therefore recognised as a critically important activity.

To be a manager it’s not always essential to be a member of a professional association or institute, although many managers choose to do so and benefit from the advantages that membership brings. Managers may have additional professional qualifications, although not every manager is a graduate.
Check out the professional bodies own entries in the Profession Finder.


Jobs and Salaries

Many professional associations have excellent sections on their own websites dedicated to careers and current job opportunities. Look at TotalProfessions.com Job Search

Managers salaries vary considerably: figures released by the Office for National Statistics in November 2009 indicated, for example, that “Corporate Managers and Senior Officials” earn an average of more than £85,000. The average manager’s salary is however much lower.


Routes and Qualifications

There is no single route into management although the right aptitudes, attitude and qualifications certainly help.

The Chartered Quality Institute provides qualifications and professional recognition to Chartered Quality Professional level for quality management, assurance and improvement professionals across the private, public and third sectors. 

The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) is committed to helping people develop a career in a fast growing business area and offers specialist qualifications at different levels. Details of the qualifications can be found here. BIFM also provides insights into the career profiles and backgrounds of some of its members.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has conducted extensive research and produced a map of the profession that “captures what HR people do and deliver across every aspect and specialism of the profession and it looks at the underpinning skills, behaviour and knowledge that they need to be most successful.”

The Chartered Institute of Marketing offers a range of internationally recognised qualifications, based on research and feedback from employers. These include introductory courses aimed at those coming into the profession, as well as strategic-level qualifications for senior managers. More information about these can be found here.

The qualifications needed for other managerial roles may include success in school and college based examinations as well as those taken from the National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership and accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It’s possible to become a Chartered Manager.

An alternative route to management qualification can be found through the Association of Business Executives (ABE). ABE offers a range of progressive and flexible business and management qualifications at Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and, in the case of the Business Management programme, Postgraduate Diploma level (Levels, 3, 5, 6 and 7 respectively). You can read about these courses here.

The Association for Project Management (APM) also has a range of specialist management qualifications and all their qualifications, apart from the Certificated Project Manager qualification, are delivered through APM Accredited Training Providers. Click here for more information.

Interested in sales and marketing – check out the qualifications available and training available.

Check out the management qualifications offered by Association of Business Executives.


Funding

Initial managerial qualifications can be part of Further Education programmes and therefore for young people can be attained free of charge. Higher managerial qualifications are taught at Universities and Colleges where standard fees are payable, although these may be funded initially by student loans.
Beyond University other managerial qualifications are available that your employer might sponsor you to study.


What's it like working in this sector?

Read Job Profiles for many of the management roles.

  • Managers often have to work long hours
  • Managerial roles usually mean greater responsibilities and higher expectations from employers
  • Managerial roles usually command higher salaries, but greater workloads may bring additional stresses and strains
  • Managerial responsibilities usually mean responsibility for managing the performance of other people
  • Managers are usually paid a monthly salary rather than a weekly wage
  • Management usually goes hand in hand with leadership, if this appeals to you - go for it
  • It can be a very rewarding occupation


Meet quality professionals.

The British Institute of Facilities Management provides insights into the career profiles and backgrounds of some of their members. These are available here.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing has launched “Getin2Marketing” which offers a wealth of information to those thinking about marketing as a career. This link will open another window so you can visit their web pages.


How big is this sector?

According to official statistics around 4.5m people in the UK regard themselves as managers or working at an equivalent level.

In February 2010 The Daily Telegraph reported that the number of staff in managerial positions in academic institutions rose by 33 per cent, to more than 14,000 posts.
In March 2009 The Daily Mail reported than the number of managers working in the NHS - the largest employer in the UK - had grown by over nine per cent. Details about managerial roles in the NHS are available here.


Where can I work?

Virtually anywhere - from an oil rig in the North Sea to a hotel on the Isles of Scilly. Every business, large or small, needs management.


What do employers look for?

With many different sectors recruiting managers it’s difficult to be precise but the following are likely to be universally applicable to a greater or lesser extent.


As managers typically:

  • Plan and organise
  • Set objectives
  • Motivate and communicate
  • Measure business activities
  • Develop other people (and themselves)


So the skills and attributes managers are likely to need include:

  • A good level of general education, qualifications help
  • A logical, planful approach to work
  • Self-discipline and self-management
  • Time management skills
  • Communication skills, both written and oral
  • Numeracy skills
  • Influencing skills
  • Leadership skills as well as the ability to work in a team
  • Commercial awareness/acumen
  • A willingness to take on responsibility and accountability
  • High levels of honesty and integrity