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What is an international business manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Kim Roberts

An international business manager handles an organization's daily operations and business relationships on the global platform. They develop and implement marketing strategies to secure business growth and expansion in different countries. They typically work in large multinational corporations in large-scale industries like petroleum, telecommunications, and information technology.

They are responsible for coordinating with executive officers regarding forecasts and strategic plans in line with the organization's goals of seeking new markets and enhancing global profitability. Discussing and closing contracts with foreign clients are also among their significant duties.

They ensure the corporation's compliance with international procedures and protocols, along with cultural, environmental, and political considerations. Their professional domain extends to the execution of training programs for the corporation's leaders and recruitment of foreign personnel.

It takes a wide range of expertise to be an international business manager. They must have a comprehensive background and competitive intelligence in marketing, sales, finance, human resources. Excellent networking and cross-cultural communication skills are also necessary.

Pursuing this position requires advanced degrees. Most companies prefer candidates with a master's degree in international business or a related field. On average, they earn $31.05 an hour, which is equivalent to an annual income of $64,592.

What general advice would you give to an international business manager?

Dr. Kim RobertsDr. Kim Roberts LinkedIn profile

Professor of Operations Management, Website

Business-related occupations offer attractive salaries and offer a variety of disciplines, such as accounting, contract management, cybersecurity, finance, human resources, logistics, marketing, management, operations, sales, and more. However, business careers are often demanding, requiring long work weeks and travel.

Skills
leadership
communication
innovation
adaptation
critical thinking
problem solving
emotional intelligence
empathy
teamwork
cultural competence
conflict management
ethics and social responsibility
ScoreInternational Business ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $79,283

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 8.15%

Black or African American 3.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.67%

Unknown 5.32%

White 74.58%

Gender

female 38.02%

male 61.98%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

International business manager career paths

Key steps to become an international business manager

  1. Explore international business manager education requirements

    Most common international business manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.0 %

    Master's

    23.6 %

    Associate

    6.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific international business manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Financial Statements10.74%
    International Trade7.29%
    Business Development7.08%
    Reconciliations5.88%
    Import Export4.87%
  3. Complete relevant international business manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New international business 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 an international business manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real international business manager resumes.
  4. Research international business manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage supplier relationships, negotiations with manufacturers and developing assessment strategies with OEM's.
    • Leverage in-depth knowledge of complex manage security solutions as well as extensive technical knowledge of security hardware and software.
    • Maintain the ERP keep it update with new marketing info.
    • Recruit by UK team to support start-up requirements for new company branch in Jordan.
  5. Apply for international business manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an international business manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first international business manager job

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Average international business manager salary

The average international business manager salary in the United States is $79,283 per year or $38 per hour. International business manager salaries range between $45,000 and $136,000 per year.

Average international business manager salary
$79,283 Yearly
$38.12 hourly

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How do international business managers rate their job?

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International business manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

I worked professionally in 7 countries. I speak fluently 4 languages and speak well another 4. Moreover, I love Sales.

Cons

Politics, toxic work environment, having to work with real sob.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

The opportunity to be in touch with people from different countries since I speak 8 languages, and I am an Engineer.

Cons

Politics, bad organizational climate.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

B2B Communication and Building Relationships, Product\Strategy Development and Implementation, Solving Problems

Cons

Deal Negotiations


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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