What does a senior manager do?
A senior manager is responsible for directing the overall efficiency of business operations. Senior managers monitor the performance of the staff, improve operational strategies, identify business opportunities, allocate budgets and resources, present reports to senior management, set goals to drive results on increasing the company's revenues and profitability. Senior managers must coordinate with various operations departments to maintain good feedback for the company, meeting client's expectations, and delivering the best results. They should have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle team members, as well as managing their needs and concerns.
Senior manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior manager resumes:
- Lead ISO project to achieve ISO compliance for the organization.
- Implement a PeopleSoft Financials system and lead the integration team.
- Manage the VMS, UNIX and NT operating systems and hardware.
- Manage multiple trading application development and integration projects for TT's API customers.
- Work with internal and external audit to manage SOX controls testing, compliance issues and corrective actions.
- Coordinate and manage the monthly and quarterly close process, including quarterly check list for SOX compliance.
- Create test examples of EDI X12 and XML messages.
- Create new insight and better visualization into project portfolio health by creating scorecards and project health dashboards.
- Create and establish a PMO including all processes and company templates used in the reporting of metrics on programs.
- Assist with development of QA evaluation tool.
- Implement NPI process to introduce new products.
- Develop clean, intuitive SharePoint site for team projects.
- Train and monitor new employees on effectively performing the XML tagging and establish conversion processes.
- Conceptualize with global team to update and maintain Intranet with relevant content and imagery through SharePoint.
- Maintain high level liaison interface with DoD government program office, including stateside and foreign customers.
Senior manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Senior Managers are proficient in Analytics, Project Management, and Portfolio. They’re also known for soft skills such as Management skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Analytics, 9%
Participated in the evaluation and selection of document review technology including review platforms and analytics tools including clustering and predictive coding.
- Project Management, 6%
Negotiated package deal eliminating internal project management and leveraging limited resources by developing turnkey program to support the BMW F25 program.
- Portfolio, 5%
Provided governance and oversight to global delivery portfolio with up to 5 simultaneously active BPO Procurement programs across multiple geographies.
- Business Development, 4%
Focus on business process improvement by evaluating existing processes in customer satisfaction, product improvement, business development and product serviceability.
- Professional Development, 4%
Monitored and further advanced HR and administration, professional development, compensation and benefits, performance evaluation, training and recruiting.
- Healthcare, 3%
Manage materials creation for multiple new state and product implementations including Dual Demonstrations and HealthCare Exchange.
Most senior managers use their skills in "analytics," "project management," and "portfolio" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior manager responsibilities here:
Problem-solving skills. Many senior manager duties rely on problem-solving skills. "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization," so a senior manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior manager responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "interacted and negotiated with fda regarding strategy and resolution of complex deficiency issues. "
Time-management skills. This is an important skill for senior managers to perform their duties. For an example of how senior manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior manager: "exhibit excellent organizational and prioritization skills, understanding of underlying business requirements and high performance levels under tight deadlines. ".
Leadership skills. A big part of what senior managers do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to senior manager responsibilities because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior manager tasks: "monitored fda actions to create content for monthly internal publication utilized by upper management and r&d; leadership team. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in senior manager job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what senior managers do. Senior manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." You can also see how senior manager duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "established communication and develop rapport with fda to gain approvals, support product launches to meet business requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most senior managers are:
- Deloitte3,437 senior managers jobs
- Pwc2,292 senior managers jobs
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.1,284 senior managers jobs
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Compare different senior managers
Senior manager vs. Manager of business services
Business Service Managers are administrative professionals who oversee different service-related functions in the company. They manage the teams involved in serving various functions. They ensure proper coordination between these teams. \They carefully allocate resources to cover their bases and ensure that services are available at all times. Business Service Managers prepare and draft policies and guidelines related to company services. They also ensure that these guidelines are properly cascaded and are followed by their constituents.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior managers and manager of business services. For instance, senior manager responsibilities require skills such as "analytics," "portfolio," "professional development," and "healthcare." Whereas a manager of business services is skilled in "cpa," "business operations," "business services," and "human resources." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Managers of business services earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $110,546. On the other hand, senior managers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $136,663.The education levels that managers of business services earn slightly differ from senior managers. In particular, managers of business services are 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior manager. Additionally, they're 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior manager vs. 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. Moreover, there are also instances where they have to produce progress reports, devise strategies for optimal business performance, delegate tasks, and even manage the budget. As a manager, it is crucial to lead and encourage the team to reach goals and sales targets while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior manager responsibilities requires skills like "analytics," "portfolio," "business development," and "professional development." But a manager, center operations might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "osha," "standard operating procedure," "quality standards," and "professional work."
On average, managers, center operations earn a lower salary than senior managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, managers, center operations earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,400. Whereas senior managers have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $136,663.managers, center operations earn lower levels of education than senior managers in general. They're 8.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior manager vs. Manager and consultant
Managers and Consultants are employees who are considered industry experts. They contribute to the company by providing valuable insights regarding the industry. They are often individual contributors tapped to give guidance on a specific project or undertaking of the company. These projects are related to their field of expertise or an extensive role in the past. They provide insights into the feasibility of such undertakings. Since they are given both a manager and a consultant's dual role, they also lead the team in the project. They oversee the team's progress, provide guidance, and ultimately lead the project team to success.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior managers are more likely to have skills like "analytics," "portfolio," "professional development," and "oversight." But a manager and consultant is more likely to have skills like "financial services," "unity," "excellent time management," and "sage."
Managers and consultant earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $114,179. Comparatively, senior managers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $136,663.When it comes to education, managers and consultant tend to earn similar degree levels compared to senior managers. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior manager vs. Manager executive
A manager executive is in charge of supervising and overseeing an establishment's daily operations, ensuring everything runs efficiently and adheres to company standards. They mostly have administrative duties such as setting goals and guidelines, establishing budgets and timelines, making significant decisions, delegating responsibilities among managers, and reviewing progress reports, addressing issues and concerns. They also spearhead programs and projects, highlighting their vision and mission. Additionally, a manager executive leads and empowers employees while implementing policies and regulations that shape the company.
Types of senior manager
Updated January 8, 2025
