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Business unit director vs senior business manager

The differences between business unit directors and senior 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 senior business manager. Additionally, a business unit director has an average salary of $135,050, which is higher than the $134,737 average annual salary of a senior business manager.

The top three skills for a business unit director include project management, digital marketing and sigma. The most important skills for a senior business manager are analytics, project management, and portfolio.

Business unit director vs senior business manager overview

Business Unit DirectorSenior Business Manager
Yearly salary$135,050$134,737
Hourly rate$64.93$64.78
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs95,707303,902
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 senior business manager do?

A senior business manager oversees the daily operations in a company, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around directing and assessing workforce performance, setting company objectives and goals, and coordinating with different departments to be aware of any issues or concerns. It is also essential to devise strategies to find new sales opportunities, perform research and analysis to identify client needs, and promptly resolve any problems that may arise. Furthermore, as a senior business manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Business unit director vs senior business manager salary

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

Business Unit DirectorSenior Business Manager
Average salary$135,050$134,737
Salary rangeBetween $95,000 And $190,000Between $96,000 And $187,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHartford, CT
Highest paying stateAlaskaConnecticut
Best paying companyLasko ProductsAirbnb
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalProfessional

Differences between business unit director and senior business manager education

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

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

Business unit director vs senior business manager demographics

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

Business Unit DirectorSenior Business Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 81.8% Female, 18.2%Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business unit director and senior 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.

Senior business manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead a global-scale ERP implementation.
  • Manage Hewlett-Packard server, storage, and software SMB channel business.
  • Manage client communications with regard to GAAP pronouncements and emerging accounting issues.
  • Manage cost-centers and leverage unique Indian production and post- production capabilities and position the company as a prefer production partner.
  • Deal directly with handbags and luggage wholesalers and distributors.
  • Implement a corporate wide new product-training program (Asia, Europe, and Americas).
  • Show more

Business unit director vs senior 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 senior business manager skills
  • Analytics, 13%
  • Project Management, 10%
  • Portfolio, 5%
  • SR, 5%
  • Risk Management, 5%
  • Business Strategies, 4%

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