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Leader vs requirements manager

The differences between leaders and requirements managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a leader, becoming a requirements manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a requirements manager has an average salary of $87,310, which is higher than the $86,964 average annual salary of a leader.

The top three skills for a leader include customer service, strong time management and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a requirements manager are java, client facing, and emerging technologies.

Leader vs requirements manager overview

LeaderRequirements Manager
Yearly salary$86,964$87,310
Hourly rate$41.81$41.98
Growth rate10%16%
Number of jobs172,29364,837
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4647
Years of experience28

What does a leader do?

Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

What does a requirements manager do?

A Requirements Manager develops and oversees procedures to ensure that projects meet their needs. They focus on identifying project requirements through extensive research and analysis, conceptualizing plans to attain them. There are also instances when they must spearhead product and requirement reviews, identifying their strengths and weaknesses to develop solutions against potential problem areas. Most Requirements Managers manage development teams, leading and encouraging them to reach goals while implementing company standards and regulations for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Leader vs requirements manager salary

Leaders and requirements managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

LeaderRequirements Manager
Average salary$86,964$87,310
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $153,000Between $56,000 And $135,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ME-
Highest paying stateMaine-
Best paying companyEli Lilly and Company-
Best paying industry--

Differences between leader and requirements manager education

There are a few differences between a leader and a requirements manager in terms of educational background:

LeaderRequirements Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Leader vs requirements manager demographics

Here are the differences between leaders' and requirements managers' demographics:

LeaderRequirements Manager
Average age4647
Gender ratioMale, 49.8% Female, 50.2%Male, 66.8% Female, 33.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%11%

Differences between leader and requirements manager duties and responsibilities

Leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage UNIX and mainframe systems software staff.
  • Achieve business metrics and implement WCM tools and processes.
  • Lead instrument calibration, OOS investigation, change control, deviation documentation to comply with GMP.
  • Lead a group to help a dog food producer to gain traction in the grocery store channel
  • Perform diagnostics, lead audits, kaizen events, value stream mapping, PDCA teams and employee involvement.
  • Lead in PTA efforts to recognize school staff by planning events and organize and plan monthly appreciation gifts.
  • Show more

Requirements manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop SQL programs to automate updates to tables in TIMS.
  • Manage the division's database and coordinate with contractors in its development.
  • Configure and manage VMware host server 3.5 and 4.0 and guest servers.
  • Manage and coordinate the functional requirements for counterintelligence (CI) and human intelligence (HUMINT) communities.
  • Manage programming and development teams for ERP and in-house app development for iOS, web and other applications.
  • Conduct JAD sessions throughout the project to communicate and manage expectations with the business users and the feature content team.
  • Show more

Leader vs requirements manager skills

Common leader skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Strong Time Management, 9%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • PET, 6%
  • Digital Transformation, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
Common requirements manager skills
  • Java, 22%
  • Client Facing, 15%
  • Emerging Technologies, 6%
  • Lean Six Sigma, 6%
  • Lifecycle Management, 5%
  • Requirements Management, 4%

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