How to hire a section manager

How to hire a section manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step section manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a section manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new section manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a section manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The section manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect section manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of section managers.

   Type of Section Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Section Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$30-69
   Manager, Center Operations	The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns... Show more	$18-46
   General Manager Of Operations	General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management... Show more	$23-79

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Career Development
   • Project Management
   • DOD
   • Performance Reviews
   • Continuous Improvement
   • RF
   • Corrective Action
   • Process Improvement
   • PowerPoint
   • Sigma
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Management System
   • Direct Reports
   • Product Development

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Implement ISO quality procedures and lead internal audits
   • Coordinate and manage the security operations of combat convoys moving and transporting equipment to different locations across hostile areas.
   • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
   • Perform contract negotiations, vendor selection, product introduction, ISO quality adherence, cost reductions, and inventory balancing.
   • Perform ongoing research and analysis of internal business requirements and project logistics.
   • Plan and request signal logistics support for battalion level operations and maintenance.

   More section manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your section manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A section manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a section manager in Wyoming may be lower than in Rhode Island, and an entry-level section manager usually earns less than a senior-level section manager. Additionally, a section manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average section manager salary

   $95,857yearly

   $46.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level section manager salary

   $63,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average section manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$137,067	$66
   2	Washington	$112,944	$54
   3	New York	$112,667	$54
   4	North Carolina	$106,492	$51
   5	Pennsylvania	$95,876	$46
   6	Maryland	$95,318	$46
   7	Virginia	$94,947	$46
   8	New Mexico	$93,786	$45
   9	Illinois	$93,616	$45
   10	Oregon	$88,058	$42
   11	Colorado	$86,578	$42
   12	Michigan	$82,639	$40
   13	Texas	$81,726	$39
   14	Arizona	$81,414	$39
   15	Alabama	$81,052	$39
   16	Indiana	$77,405	$37
   17	Idaho	$74,667	$36
   18	Ohio	$73,479	$35
   19	Georgia	$70,761	$34
   20	Missouri	$69,072	$33

   Average section manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	NVIDIA	$162,938	$78.34	16
   2	Texas Instruments	$141,771	$68.16	2
   3	Amd	$141,372	$67.97	9
   4	Citi	$141,203	$67.89	10
   5	Skyworks Solutions	$130,813	$62.89	1
   6	Northern Trust	$129,523	$62.27
   7	ICU Medical	$128,285	$61.68	2
   8	Analog Devices	$126,619	$60.87	4
   9	HP	$125,432	$60.30	12
   10	Volvo Trucks	$125,114	$60.15	2
   11	AbbVie	$124,349	$59.78	107
   12	Morgan Stanley	$120,602	$57.98	13
   13	General Electric	$117,529	$56.50	192
   14	Abbott	$116,196	$55.86	47
   15	BWX Technologies	$115,352	$55.46	18
   16	MFS Investment Management	$115,068	$55.32
   17	Northrop Grumman	$114,390	$55.00	27
   18	Motorola Solutions	$113,119	$54.38	18
   19	Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.c. Or Aza	$112,293	$53.99	4
   20	Caterpillar	$112,193	$53.94	17

4. Writing a section manager job description

   A good section manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a section manager job description:

   Section manager job description example

   Manages a section in a department that has institutional oversight. Plans, organizes and develops goals and procedures for the section. Represents the section to administrators, outside agencies and others on relevant matters. Supervises subordinate staff.
   Major/Essential Functions
   Ensure the operational readiness of the TechAlert system including the technical, strategic, and outreach aspects Coordinate the dissemination of essential information through the system Oversee the review and maintenance of templated messages Collaborate with stakeholders on regular testing of the system and attend regular training sessions Serve as a technical administrator for the system with assistance from the IT Division Seek ways to expand the use of the system through education to increase its reach and improve the input of accurate contact information
   
   Required Qualifications
   Bachelor's degree required plus four years supervisory experience.
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   At least two years of working with mass communications systems Self-motivated, detail-oriented and a strong communicator both oral and written Work in high-stress situations Maintain a flexible schedule, including availability nights/weekends Collaborate with various campus stakeholders and university leadership involved in emergency notifications Maintain confidentiality, possess a strong work ethic, and be accountable for all duties of this job Familiarity with mass notification systems like Blackboard Connect Experience in crisis communications Knowledge of police and fire organizations, operations, and personnel, including university leadership
   
   To apply, visit workattexastech.com
   
   As an EEO/AA employer, the Texas Tech University System and its components will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.
   
   Copyright ©2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
   
   Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency
   
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   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find section managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any section managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level section managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your section manager job on Zippia to find and recruit section manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with section manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new section manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the section manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new section manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a section manager?