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What is an organizational development manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Caryn Beck-Dudley

Organizational development managers plan, develop, implement, and administer development and training programs for company employees. They act as a liaison and advisor to the organization's leadership and facilitates initiatives across the organization. They also identify and incorporate best practices and lessons learned into program plans, earning an average salary of $79,000 annually or $38 per hour.

Organizational development managers design and develop HR training programs for management and employees, as well as reviewing evaluations of training courses, objectives, and accomplishments. They train employees on HR issues and practices while consulting with management on performance, organizational, and leadership matters.

Due to the nature of the job, development managers are expected to have excellent leadership, analytical, and collaboration skills. Organizational development managers mostly hold a bachelor's or master's degree in organizational development, business, or other relevant fields. They are expected to have some years of training and management experience. Since it is a managerial role, the managers need to sit at a desk for prolonged hours and lift 15 pounds at a time.

What general advice would you give to an organizational development manager?

Caryn Beck-DudleyCaryn Beck-Dudley LinkedIn profile

President and CEO, AACSB International

Disruption from COVID-19 has touched every aspect of the business world, including the future of accounting and auditing. In our "new normal," there is a growing focus on a digitally-led work world, and it's important that learners and graduates are well prepared for this transformation. AACSB-accredited schools are responding quickly and leading the charge to help guide and prepare these agile learners to be successful in all their future endeavors.
ScoreOrganizational Development ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.7

Avg. Salary $86,091

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.1

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.50%

Asian 4.10%

Black or African American 10.89%

Hispanic or Latino 15.90%

Unknown 5.44%

White 63.18%

Gender

female 56.71%

male 43.29%

Age - 44
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 - 44
Stress level
6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.2

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Organizational development manager career paths

Key steps to become an organizational development manager

  1. Explore organizational development manager education requirements

    Most common organizational development manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    67.8 %

    Master's

    23.1 %

    Associate

    4.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific organizational development manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Organizational Structure18.16%
    Human Resources7.56%
    Project Management5.81%
    Organizational Effectiveness5.72%
    Organization Development5.62%
  3. Complete relevant organizational development manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New organizational development 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 organizational development manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real organizational development manager resumes.
  4. Research organizational development manager duties and responsibilities

    • Develop compelling PowerPoint presentations, manage online sign-ups for seminars, and ensure all paperwork is complete.
    • Develop a school-wide leadership program that incorporate leadership theory and practice, social change, emotional intelligence and basic skill development.
    • Identify the highest-potential leaders and create new practices that prepare and result in several program participants promotions into executive-level leadership roles.
    • Call center operations, HRIS and strategic PMO.
  5. Prepare your organizational development manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your organizational development 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 an organizational development 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 organizational development manager resume templates

    Build a professional organizational development 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 organizational development manager resume.
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
    Organizational Development Manager Resume
  6. Apply for organizational development manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an organizational development 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 organizational development manager job

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Average organizational development manager salary

The average organizational development manager salary in the United States is $86,091 per year or $41 per hour. Organizational development manager salaries range between $61,000 and $120,000 per year.

Average organizational development manager salary
$86,091 Yearly
$41.39 hourly

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How do organizational development managers rate their job?

4/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

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Organizational development manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Helping people throughout the organization


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

OD careers allow for a multitude of projects that go beyond training and development.

Cons

Skills that are helpful in this field include change management, an understanding of HR processes, talent development, and many others.


profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Engaging people Change the organization See Organization grow See positive results

Cons

Working long hours


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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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