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LIBF blog Career opportunities in business management

21 May 2024

9 minute read

Quick summary of this article

Considering stepping into the dynamic world of business management? Gain insights on how this career path could shape your future:

  • Discover roles like Business Manager, Analyst, and HR Manager, exploring the variety and opportunity in this field.

  • Salary potential varies across roles, reflecting the value and demand for business management skillsets in the job market.

  • Degrees like MBA, MSc International Management and MSc Finance and Accounting can tailor your education to specific career pathways within business management.

  • Important skills in the field of business management include leadership, market research, project management, finance and marketing.

Considering a career in business management?

Woman in yellow shirt in home office planning a career in international business management.

Choosing the right career path is an important step to building the life you dream of, and a degree in business management can open a gateway to diverse and rewarding careers.


Whether your goal is to lead major corporations in private sectors, excel in managerial roles in the public sector, spearhead innovations in startups or even be your own boss, developing the right employability skills is your ticket to success.

What can you do with a business management degree?

Below we've listed 10 exciting jobs in business management available to UK graduates. These roles highlight the extensive and diverse opportunities available to business management degree graduates. Each role not only offers a chance to excel but also to significantly influence the growth and efficiency of various sectors.


Explore the potential earnings in these roles, and the professional skills you'll develop and put into practice.


*Salary information from uk.indeed.com and correct as of May 2024.

Male business manager in navy shirt smiling in office of operations managers.

1. Business Manager

As a Business Manager, you'll take command of business operations and lead teams to meet and hopefully exceed company objectives. In this vital job, you'll engage daily in developing and implementing business strategies that enhance productivity and ensure organisational success.


Whether you're designing strategic business plans or addressing project setbacks, your expertise in business administration is crucial. Business managers also play a key role in liaising with stakeholders, managing budgets, managing people and analysing market trends to devise solutions that improve business performance. This comprehensive approach to management helps drive innovation and efficiency, making business managers pivotal in shaping the growth and competitiveness of their organizations.


Average salary in the UK: £39,111*


Most appropriate business degree: MBA Online

2. Business Analyst

Embark on a career path in business analysis where your skills for analysing data and refining business processes can truly shine. As a Business Analyst, you'll scrutinise business environments and workflows to pinpoint opportunities for operational enhancements.


Your day-to-day could involve detailed business process mapping, gathering critical user requirements, and optimising systems to better support business strategies. By conducting rigorous business analysis and generating in-depth reports, you'll act as a pivotal data analyst, bridging the divide between IT solutions and business needs. Your insights will be instrumental in ensuring that operations run more efficiently, thus boosting overall business performance.


Average salary in the UK: £44,899*


Most appropriate business management degree: Business Management Degree Online

Smiling woman in blazer leading a finance and accounting meeting in an office.

3. Chartered Management Accountant

Are you ready to take charge of a company’s financial health? As a Chartered Management Accountant, your role extends beyond traditional accounting – you'll be a valuable strategic advisor, conducting financial analysis, managing budgeting process and preparing detailed reports that influence strategic decision-making.


Whether it’s implementing cost-reduction strategies, advising on the financial implications of business decisions, or managing compliance with financial regulations, your expertise will be crucial in steering companies towards financial stability and growth.


Average salary in the UK: £38,967*

4. Project Manager

In the role of a Project Manager, you become central to executing strategic planning and overseeing projects that adhere to strict timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Your responsibilities in project management will range from meticulous planning and scheduling to the effective budgeting and execution of projects from start to finish.


As a leader of cross-functional teams and a coordinator of external contractors, project managers tackle any obstacles that surface during the project lifecycle. Using robust project management methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall, you'll enhance resource management and strategic project execution, contributing to the successful completion of projects and the growth and success of your organisation.


If you're considering a project management career, our blog post detailing the project manager career roadmap provides a detailed guide to embarking on this dynamic and rewarding journey.


Average salary in the UK: £48,837*


Most appropriate business management degree: Business Management Degree Online

Smiling man at laptop in denim shirt reviewing jobs for various departments as a human resource manager.

5. Human Resource Manager

Human Resource Managers hold a pivotal position in every organisation, focusing on recruiting, training, and optimising employee performance and company policies. Within the field of human resources, your responsibilities will revolve around moulding a workforce that propels companies forward.


Your tasks as a human resources professional will include crafting accurate job descriptions, managing the hiring process, administering employee benefits, and leading the development of employee training programs. You'll also closely partner with management to undertake strategic human resources planning and devise employee retention strategies.


As a Human Resource Manager, it can be immensely rewarding to know that your efforts can significantly boost job satisfaction and productivity, contributing to a supportive and effective work environment.


Average salary in the UK: £42,786*


Most appropriate business management degree: Master's in International Human Resource Management Online

Ready to launch your journey in the business world?

Explore how an online business mangement degree from LIBF can prepare you to meet the demands of these exciting roles and succeed in your business management career.

6. Supply Chain Manager

In a supply chain management role, you'll oversee the entire lifecycle of a product, from procurement and manufacturing to delivery. And as many supply chains cross borders, this role demands a sharp understanding of both global and local market dynamics.


Your responsibilities could include managing supplier relationships, optimising logistics operations, and implementing cost-effective strategies. Through careful supply chain management, you ensure product availability, timeliness in delivery, and customer satisfaction – all of which are crucial for the competitiveness and profitability of the business.


Average salary in the UK: £36,531*

Smiling woman in yellow shirt setting up ads for jobs for sales managers.

7. Sales Manager

In the dynamic role of a Sales Manager, you're responsible for developing and implementing robust sales strategies that effectively promote products and services, managing sales teams, and consistently meeting sales goals vital for a company's revenue and growth.


Your daily routine could include analysing sales data to project future trends, formulating training programs for new sales staff, and collaborating with the marketing manager to devise integrated campaigns that boost customer engagement and elevate sales. Your ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and evolving consumer preferences is essential for excelling and achieving the set sales goals.


Average salary in the UK: £40,687*

8. Management Consultant

If solving problems and shaping the future of businesses appeals to you, then consider a career as a Management Consultant. This role involves analysing business challenges, streamlining operations, and recommending changes that lead to greater efficiency and increased profits.


As a consultant, you might work across diverse departments and sectors, providing insights and actionable solutions on various issues like organisational change, strategy development, and technology implementation. Your influence could pave the way for transformative changes within an organisation, making consultancy a profoundly impactful and rewarding profession.


Average salary in the UK: £50,511*


Most appropriate business management degree: MSc International Management Online

Smiling man in yellow shirt stands in office, advising a team as part of his business management responsibilities.

9. Business Adviser

As a Business Adviser, you'll provide expert guidance to help businesses improve their performance and grow, by solving problems and finding new and better ways of doing things. It's not just about giving advice, but also about identifying and implementing new strategies, assisting with business plans, and offering insights on regulation and market trends.


Whether you're assisting startups in getting off the ground or helping established companies navigate expansion, your role as a business adviser is crucial in driving business success and innovation.


Average salary in the UK: £29,417*

10. Financial Manager

Financial Managers play a crucial role in sustaining and enhancing an organisation's financial health. You'll be involved in overseeing essential finance and accounting functions, including budgeting, forecasting, investments, and detailed financial reporting. However, financial management jobs extend beyond managing day-to-day finance operations.


Through the decisions you make, you can help steer organisations toward their financial goals, strongly influencing their profitability and financial stability. You'll develop the skills to craft strategies for achieving long-term financial goals through the analysis of financial information, while your expertise in analysing and applying financial data can drive the adoption of sustainable financial practices, aligning with and promoting the broader business objectives.


Average salary in the UK: £47,190*


Most appropriate business degree: MSc Finance and Accounting Online

What skills will you learn in a business management degree?

A business management degree equips you with a wide range of professional skills that make you adaptable and capable of leading across various sectors and management positions.


By integrating real-life projects and internships, business management programs also help you gain experience directly in the field, applying your learning to practical situations. This not only enhances your resume but also provides you with confidence in your abilities to tackle challenges in future careers.


Business degrees are designed not only to cultivate specific technical knowledge but also to develop critical transferable skills that are applicable in a broad range of business environments, from local enterprises to global corporations. The overall goal of any business degree is to ensure that business management graduates are well-prepared to enter the competitive and ever-changing business world.

Leadership skills

One of the foremost skills emphasized is leadership skills. Effective leadership is more than just managing people – it involves inspiring, motivating, and guiding teams toward achieving business objectives. Through various simulations and real-world case studies, you'll refine your ability to lead and foster team building, crucial for creating harmonious and efficient workplaces.

Market research skills

Market research is another critical area you'll master, equipping you with the analytical tools necessary to decode market trends and consumer behaviours. This knowledge is pivotal in strategizing marketing campaigns or product launches that resonate with target audiences, directly impacting business profitability and growth.

Marketing skills

Additionally, business management degrees offer substantial training in marketing principles. This covers a spectrum of strategies from digital marketing tactics to traditional advertising approaches, each essential for engaging effectively with diverse market segments.

Transferable professional skills

The comprehensive curriculum also ensures that all business management graduates leave with a robust set of transferable skills. These include problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and adaptive learning abilities, all of which are valuable in navigating the complexities of modern business scenarios.

Why apply for an online Business Management degree at LIBF?

Happy woman in brown t shirt holding an ipad exploring business management careers.

Embark on a transformative journey with LIBF's online business management degrees, tailored for the forward-thinker. Blend life's commitments with a flexible, career-centric course that moves at your pace. Whether part-time or full-time, you have the control to pace your learning in a way that suits your lifestyle.


At LIBF, we pride ourselves on a career-centred curriculum that bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, empowering you to apply today's learning to tomorrow's challenges. What you learn today, you can immediately apply tomorrow. Propel your career from the get-go, equipped with knowledge and confidence to lead. With LIBF, your future in management isn't just a possibility – it's a promise.

Find an online business management degree

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