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What is a division manager and how to become one
A division manager oversees a specific area or department within an organization. They manage the operations, budget, and personnel within their division. This involves setting goals, making decisions, allocating resources, and meeting objectives. Division managers also communicate with other departments and senior management. They may also be responsible for hiring, training, and evaluating employees within their division. Overall, the role of a division manager promotes the success and profitability of their assigned team or area.
What general advice would you give to a division manager?
Eric Olsen
Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business
Avg. Salary $81,755
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%
Asian 6.38%
Black or African American 6.20%
Hispanic or Latino 15.27%
Unknown 4.34%
White 67.33%
Genderfemale 22.62%
male 77.38%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a division manager?
Pros
Opportunity for career advancement within the company
Competitive salary and benefits
Networking opportunities with other managers and executives
Access to training and professional development resources
Flexibility in work schedule and location
Cons
Long hours, including evenings and weekends
Difficult decisions may need to be made that impact employees negatively
Accountability for the division's financial performance can be daunting
Limited control over external factors that can impact the division's success
Difficulties in balancing work responsibilities with personal life commitments
Division manager career paths
Key steps to become a division manager
Explore division manager education requirements
Start to develop specific division manager skills
Skills Percentages Customer Service 15.78% Project Management 6.70% Safety Program 6.41% Oversight 6.11% Human Resources 4.96% Complete relevant division manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New division managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a division manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real division manager resumes.Gain additional division manager certifications
More About CertificationsDivision manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific division manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for division managers include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Manager Certification (CM).
Research division manager duties and responsibilities
- Achieve $2.5 million increase in EBITDA, from - $2.3 million to + $200K.
- Exceed budget in years two & three and achieve ISO certification in year one.
- Exceed budget in years 2 & 3 and achieve ISO certification in year 1.
- Launch the usage of a CRM tool to assist associates in managing book of business.
Prepare your division manager resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your division manager resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a division manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable division manager resume templates
Build a professional division manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your division manager resume.
Apply for division manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a division manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first division manager job
Are you a division manager?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average division manager salary
The average division manager salary in the United States is $81,755 per year or $39 per hour. Division manager salaries range between $51,000 and $130,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do division managers rate their job?
Division manager reviews
Helping my stores and employees achieve there goals
I love being able to mold my team and the distribution center to the culture of respect and accountability! Having senior and executive leadership support is a huge positive factor in making this happen!!
Long hours and calls outside of regular business hours are the norm!
People Busy Money Busy and variety in a job Solving problems
Updated January 8, 2025
