What Are the Main Types of General Managers?

To become a general managers (GMs) you have to be responsible for the day-to-day running of a business, ensuring efficiency, profitability, and adherence to strategic goals. Your typical general manager may or may not supervise a little of the actual work in a company. Still, they are the ones who oversee the process and make sure it works. A general manager’s responsibilities can vary widely depending on the field and the company’s size. Here are the most common types of general managers.

• Retail General Manager: A retail general manager runs a retail store on a day-to-day basis. They ensure the store runs smoothly, maintain customer service standards, and achieve sales goals. They also oversee staff members, the inventory, and any promotions the store runs.
• Hotel General Manager: Those who specifically work in hospitality for a hotel are tasked with running the entire operation, from the guest services and housekeeping to the food and beverage and marketing departments. Hotel general managers ensure that guests are satisfied, control costs, and maximize revenue.
• Restaurant General Manager: A restaurant general manager runs a restaurant, makes sure that it runs smoothly, keeps control over the food that comes out of the waiting staff serving the customers, and ensures that the customers are satisfied with the quality of food and service. The job revolves around checking staff, ensuring enough ingredients in the inventory, dealing with budgets, and ensuring all the health and safety standards are met.
• Operations General Manager: The job of an operations GM is to oversee the internal operations of a company, such as production, supply chain, and logistics, to ensure that they are running effectively. This position works with department heads to minimize inefficiencies in operations and ensure that performance targets are met.
• Manufacturing General Manager: A manufacturing GM oversees plants and ensures that production goals are met, machinery is kept in good condition, and safety protocols are followed.
• Sales General Manager: Sales GMs manage the sales team, set targets, and implement strategies to increase sales. They oversee the development of sales campaigns and follow sales performance, leveraging together with the marketing teams.
• Hospitality General Manager: ‘Hospitality GMs work in hotels, resorts, or event spaces where they ensure a high level of customer service through staff, operations, and financial performance, emphasizing enhancing the guest experience and the day-to-day running of the business.’
• Corporate General Manager: While general managers operate at the top of an organization, overseeing numerous departments and regional offices, corporate GMs operate at an even higher level. However, the job responsibilities for corporate GMs are essentially the same: they drive top-level strategy and make sure all business units are working toward company objectives.
• Sports Club General Manager: In a sports club or gym, GMs make sure that facilities are in good order, memberships are effectively processed, and clients receive high-quality service. They oversee staff, marketing campaigns, and membership sales.
• Non-Profit General Manager: A non-profit GM is responsible for overseeing the operations of a charitable or community organization. The GM works with the organization’s board members, senior staff, and stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives such as programmatic work and staffing.

What Does a General Manager Do?

General managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business or department and ensuring that it operates efficiently and profitably. Their role is highly versatile and involves managing staff, setting performance goals, and ensuring that the organization meets its strategic objectives. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what a general manager typically does:

• Manage and Oversee Teams: General managers oversee staff, providing leadership and direction, setting expectations, and making sure employees are meeting performance standards. General managers hire, train, and manage the performance of employees on their team.
• Set and Monitor Business Goals: Set and monitor business and engage in strategic planning with the senior management team to set the business or department’s goals and strategies. They monitor business and departmental performance against targets such as sales achieved, productivity, or customer satisfaction.
• Budgets and Finances: GMs are responsible for creating and managing budgets, determining operational costs, managing expenditures, and ensuring operations run within costs. They also focus on maximizing profitability and minimizing waste.
• Develop and implement strategy: General managers develop and implement strategies to maximize the growth of their business, increase organizational efficiency, and enhance the attractiveness of their offerings to customers. This might include marketing initiatives, process redesign, or expansion efforts.
• Keeping the business compliant and safe: GMs ensure that the company operates legally, according to the rules and regulations dictated by the industry. This includes managing health and safety policies, ensuring the company is appropriately licensed, and keeping the workplace safe for workers and customers.
• Review business performance: General managers track key performance indicators of the business, such as financial reports, employee productivity, and customer feedback, to assess the overall performance of the company. They then suggest adjustments to improve performance and business growth.
• Solve problems and make decisions: GMs deal with operational problems, employee issues, and customer complaints. They make decisions about their operation, the business’s daily operations, and longevity.
• Liaise with Senior Management: General managers report to senior executives or business owners, providing updates on business performance, potential challenges, and future opportunities. They work closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Drive Customer Satisfaction: A primary responsibility of a GM is maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction, especially in customer-facing, service-based industries such as retail, hospitality, or restaurants, for example. GMs ensure that customers have good experiences and provide feedback to help improve service quality.

Average General Manager Salary

The salary of a general manager in the UK depends on the company’s size, the type of industry, and the person’s experience. Generally, senior GMs in the most prominent companies will get higher salaries than junior ones. Below is an overview of general managers’ salaries.

• Entry-Level General Manager: Entry general managers earn from £30,000 to £40,000 a year. Generally, these positions exist in smaller businesses or smaller departments, and the GM may have little experience.
• Mid-Level General Manager: Mid-level general managers who have worked for several years make around £40,000-£60,000 per year. GMs at this level might be in charge of larger teams or overseeing several departments. Their responsibilities are likely more complex at this level.
• Senior general manager: £60,000-£100,000 or more per year; this is a senior manager in charge of a large organization or of several departments. This role often comes with a great deal of experience in management. It is usually responsible for steering the strategic direction of the business.
• Hotel GM: In hospitality or retail, the salaries of GMs range from £30,000 to £50,000 annually. Those salaries are at the higher end of the range for high-end hotels or large retail chains.
• Corporate General Manager: In the corporate world, GMs can earn £70,000 to £120,000 or more, depending on the level of responsibility and the scope of the role.

General Manager Skills

To succeed in becoming a general manager, you must have leadership, business acumen, and operational skills. They are the primary soft and hard skills to become a general manager. Here are the best skills you need to get a general manager career:

• Leadership Skills: General managers must be, first and foremost, strong leaders, motivating their employees and helping them work together to achieve the company’s goals. Good GMs motivate, coach, and develop their employees to increase productivity and employee engagement.
• Communication Skills: General managers must be skilled verbal and written communicators to effectively communicate information to their team, senior management, and customers. They must also be good listeners to understand employee concerns or customer feedback.
• Financial Acumen: GMs must be able to manage the budget, control costs, and generate profits. This requires managers to understand the financial reports, make cost-effective decisions, and allocate resources effectively.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: As GMs face complex problems, such as operational inefficiencies, employee conflicts, or customer complaints, they must learn to analyze issues and develop solutions to their problems.
• Time Management: A general manager must juggle many tasks, such as managing personnel, planning for the future, overseeing day-to-day operations, and more. Good time management is critical to ensuring that all tasks are completed on time and business goals are achieved.
• Strategic Thinking: A GM has to think strategically by looking beyond day-to-day operations to see the bigger picture. This involves developing and implementing strategies that will support the company’s overall success over time.
• Customer orientation: General managers need to have a customer orientation and try to maximize customer satisfaction, especially in service industries, to provide good service and solve problems so customers will be loyal.
• Delegation Skills: GMs couldn’t possibly do everything themselves. Success in this area would require trusting team members with appropriate levels of responsibility, providing guidance as needed, and retaining overall control of operations.

General Manager Tips

For wannabe general managers, here are a few practical tips: These are my recommendations for anyone who wants to have a successful career:

• Build your leadership skills early: you can attend formal training programs or seek work or project leadership roles early in your career. Work on your ability to motivate teams, make decisions, and manage conflict.
• Get industry experience: If you want to become a general manager in retail, hospitality, or manufacturing, know your industry inside and out. GMs are most effective when they align with what teams do to achieve results.
• Get Experience in Management: Before moving into a general manager role, you should gain experience in a management position a couple of levels down, such as department manager, team leader, or operations manager. This way, you can get experience managing a team and developing budgets and strategic plans.
• Network: Network with other managers, senior executives, and industry managers to open up new possibilities. Build Relationships: Develop strong relationships with your team, colleagues, and superiors.
• Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Industries are ever-changing, so GMs must keep up with new technologies, market trends, and best practices. Attend industry trade shows, read trade publications, and take courses to keep up with your industry and skills.
• Driven by Results: As a GM, by the results you deliver. Drive the business to achieve key business objectives, such as revenue growth, operational excellence, and customer experience. Use data to monitor performance and make decisions that drive business growth.
• Learn to Delegate: Delegation is a vital aspect of general management. Empower your team to take responsibility while giving them the space to learn and grow. This frees you up to focus on broader strategic goals while ensuring that day-to-day work is done effectively.
• Pursue Continuing Education: Take business management, leadership, or specialized industry courses. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) or other management qualifications can make you more attractive to employers and can give you an advantage in gaining access to senior roles in large organizations.
• Evolve: General managers need to be flexible and adaptive. For example, as the political environment changes, so do the rules for doing business. Industries and markets change over time, too. For example, technology and regulations evolve, and markets become more competitive. Be open to new ideas, technologies, and methods, and change your approach when you need to stay ahead of the competition.

General Manager Requirements

The most common way to become a general manager is through education, experience, and leadership skills, but only a few qualifications are required.

• Education: Most general managers have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, finance, or a related field. In many industries, there are also some required qualifications relating to that specific industry. For senior positions, an MBA or other advanced degree may help.
• Experience: Years of work experience in management or supervisory roles General managers typically need several years of experience in management or supervisory roles. This experience allows them to develop leadership, decision-making, and strategic planning skills, which they can use to manage teams and operations effectively.
• Industry-specific knowledge: Some industries require deep business knowledge to ensure the manager can provide good leadership. For example, the GM of a hospitality operation will usually come from the hotel or restaurant business (or preferably both) to have the experience that makes them a good manager. A retail GM will often understand inventory management, merchandising, and customer service.
• Leadership skills: Good GMs are strong leaders who manage teams, motivate staff, and achieve business objectives. Some leadership experience from other jobs or volunteering is usually required.

How to Become a General Manager

Moving up to the role of general manager is a career process that involves pursuing a mix of education, work experience, and leadership development. You can use the following sequence to become a general manager:

• Earn a Degree: Get a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or any significant related to the industry in which you’d like to work. A business degree will give you a broad understanding of finance, operations, and leadership.
• Get real industry experience: Work in a low-level job in the industry that interests you. Knowing how your chosen industry works from the bottom up will give you a leg up when managing a team and overseeing operations.
• Learn to Lead: Look for ways to lead teams, such as getting involved with nonprofits, taking leadership roles at work, or in minor management positions. Develop your skills in motivating, delegating, and decision-making. These are essential for a general manager.
• Progress Into Management: Once you have some experience, target supervisory or mid-level management roles, for example, department manager, operations manager, or team leader. This will put you in the position of managing teams, budgets, and operational performance.
• Think about Further Education: Getting a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or other advanced business management course can help you hone your strategic thinking and leadership skills, which you will need for senior management positions. Companies prefer candidates with advanced degrees for higher-level positions such as general manager.
• Apply for general manager posts: Once you’ve got the experience, start applying for general manager posts. Tailor your CV and interviews to demonstrate your leadership experience, industry experience, and knack for driving business results.
• Continue to grow: As a general manager, continue to attend conferences, conventions, and other industry events, and network with other professionals. Keep up with your industry’s latest trends and efforts, so you and your facility are prepared for the future. Advance further—you’ve made it! However, as a new general manager, you still have plenty of learning and growth.

Get Qualified as a General Manager

Automotive Services Manager Certification, Essential Skills of a Duty Manager, New Manager Online Course, New Managerial Skills Development

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become a General Manager?

Being a general manager is a career path that offers the chance to lead a company, shape its future direction, and contribute directly to its success. It is ideal for those who enjoy managing people, solving problems, and growing a business.

Is Being a General Manager a Good Career Choice for You?

If you love leading, making decisions, and getting things done, then the general manager’s job could be a perfect fit. It’s made for those of us who are oriented and can juggle several balls in the air.

General Manager Salaries

There are considerable differences depending on the industry, enterprise size, and responsibility levels. Whilst entry-level GMs earn around £30,000 to £40,000 a year, senior GMs in large companies can make £60,000 to £100,000 or more.

Which Qualifications Can Help with a Career as a General Manager?

A bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related discipline is usually required. Senior roles require an MBA or other high-level qualification. Experience in leadership roles and sector-specific knowledge are both essential.

Do I Need Experience to Get Started as a General Manager?

Indeed, although you can become a general manager with just a high school diploma, you must typically have several years of management or supervisory experience before moving into a general manager role. That means you’ll have hands-on experience managing people, budgets, operations, and more.

General Manager Career Outlook

Businesses will continue to need general managers in the future. As long as that’s the case, the outlook for this profession should remain very good. There are opportunities everywhere, and as a general manager gains more experience, he can move up the corporate ladder to more senior leadership roles, including regional director, vice president, and even Chief Executive Officer.

General Manager Hierarchy and Progressing Within the Role

Individuals typically start as department managers or operations managers before becoming general managers. Many GMs progress to regional director-level positions or other senior executive positions within the organization.

General Manager Exit Options and Opportunities

Many general managers go on to lead businesses on a larger scale, such as regional managers, vice presidents, or CEOs. Others will transition into consulting, leveraging their GM experience to advise companies on strategy and operations, or they will start their businesses, applying the skills they gained during their tenure as GM to the challenges of entrepreneurship.