Post job

Business unit director vs business manager

The differences between business unit directors and business managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a business unit director and a business manager. Additionally, a business unit director has an average salary of $135,050, which is higher than the $83,198 average annual salary of a business manager.

The top three skills for a business unit director include project management, digital marketing and sigma. The most important skills for a business manager are customer service, powerpoint, and project management.

Business unit director vs business manager overview

Business Unit DirectorBusiness Manager
Yearly salary$135,050$83,198
Hourly rate$64.93$40.00
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs95,707377,191
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a business unit director do?

A business unit director is a person that makes sure that a segment or unit of a company meets its daily goals. The business unit director monitors the production of units in a company and provides support to increase efficiency. The business unit director's responsibility is to determine each member of a business unit's skill development to ensure the increased productive output of the entire company. The business unit director works with the company's administrative and executive departments to ensure all business units work cohesively and well-coordinated.

What does a business manager do?

A business manager is responsible for directing the overall operations of the company, ensuring that all employees do their tasks efficiently and accurately. Business managers' duties include developing strategic solutions, evaluating employees' performance, identifying business opportunities to grow, monitoring the company's expenses to meet its budget goals, implementing techniques to boost the company's revenue and profitability, and adhering to the company's legal policies and procedures. A business manager must have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to supervise daily operations.

Business unit director vs business manager salary

Business unit directors and business managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Business Unit DirectorBusiness Manager
Average salary$135,050$83,198
Salary rangeBetween $95,000 And $190,000Between $47,000 And $145,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyLasko ProductsThe Citadel
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalTechnology

Differences between business unit director and business manager education

There are a few differences between a business unit director and a business manager in terms of educational background:

Business Unit DirectorBusiness Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business unit director vs business manager demographics

Here are the differences between business unit directors' and business managers' demographics:

Business Unit DirectorBusiness Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 81.8% Female, 18.2%Male, 43.2% Female, 56.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business unit director and business manager duties and responsibilities

Business unit director example responsibilities.

  • Manage a portfolio of inpatient and outpatient products market to major academic medical centers, community hospitals and nursing homes.
  • Manage a portfolio of inpatient and outpatient products market to major academic medical centers, community hospitals and nursing homes.
  • Increase EBITDA for the division.
  • Obtain first ISO certification for the production lines.
  • Conduct and complete internal reviews of domestic mutual funds and institutional operations, including compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and anti-money laundering requirements.

Business manager example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage hvac projects from estimate to invoice.
  • Manage accounting, treasury, and process improvement initiatives to effect financial turnaround of CMRO business unit.
  • Manage and supervise firm operations on a daily basis including purchases, accounting, scheduling of vendors, attorney and CPA.
  • Create solutions in the areas of invoicing, AR reporting and payment methods that lead to system improvements and streamline processes.
  • Manage all human resource activities, operational processes and financial oversight.
  • Develop internal operating procedures design to achieve efficient clinic operations and maximum service to patients.
  • Show more

Business unit director vs business manager skills

Common business unit director skills
  • Project Management, 17%
  • Digital Marketing, 14%
  • Sigma, 13%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Direct Reports, 5%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Common business manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
  • Business Plan, 4%

Browse executive management jobs