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Business unit leader vs group manager

The differences between business unit leaders and group 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 leader and a group manager. Additionally, a group manager has an average salary of $118,324, which is higher than the $111,361 average annual salary of a business unit leader.

The top three skills for a business unit leader include continuous improvement, quality standards and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a group manager are client facing, project management, and customer service.

Business unit leader vs group manager overview

Business Unit LeaderGroup Manager
Yearly salary$111,361$118,324
Hourly rate$53.54$56.89
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs88,824263,616
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a business unit leader do?

A Business Unit Leader manages growth initiatives such as future acquisition opportunities, strategic partnerships, and organic innovation. These professionals control strategy deployment to ensure operational productivity and economy. They offer this service to sites focusing on Human Resources, Information Technology, Lead Operation, Lean Accounting, Lead Process, Strategic Pricing, and more. Business Unit Leaders also lead by promoting talent management, counseling, team concepts, individual development, training, coaching, mentoring, and retaining. They develop and manage the business unit department budget and strategic plan.

What does a group manager do?

Group Managers are employees who oversee a specific department, team, or any group in the company. They are usually tenured employees or industry experts. Group Managers oversee their team's performance and professional growth. They set clear, strategic goals for the team and create plans to reach these goals. They monitor the achievement of such goals and guide their team along the way. They also manage the team professionally. The coach team members train the employees if there are updates or new strategies and ensure that they remain engaged. They motivate their team to perform well and strive hard to reach group goals.

Business unit leader vs group manager salary

Business unit leaders and group managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Business Unit LeaderGroup Manager
Average salary$111,361$118,324
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $191,000Between $78,000 And $178,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyGoldman SachsGoogle
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between business unit leader and group manager education

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

Business Unit LeaderGroup Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business unit leader vs group manager demographics

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

Business Unit LeaderGroup Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 81.1% Female, 18.9%Male, 67.9% Female, 32.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business unit leader and group manager duties and responsibilities

Business unit leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage and develop employee KPIs to assist in reaching monthly and annual gross profit goals.
  • Manage a team of four and hold matrix leadership responsibility for specialists assign to particular technical areas for business continuity projects.
  • Coordinate all KPIs and develop measurement tools of teams by line/shift.
  • Deliver meaningful fact-base guidance for visual analytics and data review to support decision making from patient safety and data review prospective.
  • Metal stamping, heading, screw machine, CNC, tapping, light press stamping and assembly work.
  • Utilize PDCA cycle to measure department goals.
  • Show more

Group manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage SEO / paid media campaigns.
  • Manage the largest business intelligence portfolio, merchandising and pharmacy.
  • Establish PMO to manage significant interdependent assets align with strategic initiatives to ensure smooth interoperability and coordination.
  • Manage inter-relationships between diverse work groups in the brewing, packaging and distribution departments relating to internal logistics and production scheduling.
  • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
  • Maintain continuous alignment of architecture scope with strategic business objectives and drive modifications to enhance effectiveness toward end result.
  • Show more

Business unit leader vs group manager skills

Common business unit leader skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Safety Culture, 6%
  • World Class, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
Common group manager skills
  • Client Facing, 13%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Client Relationships, 6%
  • Process Improvement, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%

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