If you spend your time dissecting articles on Forbes and wondering how, exactly, you become that successful you’re likely already aware of the benefits of a career in management. The world of management is a very attractive proposition for many looking to advance their careers, and for good reason. One of the most obvious is the associated pay that comes with the title, but there are also a whole host of other benefits that make managerial roles so appealing to workers.
One of the best things about pursuing a role in management is the vast amount of variety available when it comes to the industries and departments that you can work within. For example, within any typical business, you are likely to find a Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, and Operations Manager, but each of these jobs will vary hugely depending on the business itself. A Marketing Manager within a business in the financial services industry will be miles apart from a Marketing Manager within the fashion industry, utilising a different skillset and knowledge base.
Having said this, the fundamental skills required for any management role remain the same regardless of where you put those skills to use, and having a solid background is the best way to set yourself up for success.
At Real Skills, we offer a range of courses and apprenticeships to assist you on your journey to management, and below we’ve listed out our top 5 picks in this exciting and varied sector. Check out the best career options in management…
Team Leader or Supervisor…
Team Leader and Supervisor roles are often forgotten about when it comes to management, but are often a really great place to start when building up your experience – especially when it comes to people management.
Both of these roles are often in place to alleviate the workload of the manager above, and are usually focused on inspiring and motivating a team of people. Whilst a Team Leader or Supervisor doesn’t have direct management over the team’s goals, they are the first line of communication between the employees and management, and are in place to monitor the performance of the team and ensure everyone is working to the best of their ability.
Some of the other responsibilities that these roles may take on include training staff and new hires, creating schedules, producing regular reports for management, evaluating performance, helping those within their team to progress in their careers, and helping to resolve employee issues.
Team Leaders and Supervisors must have strong leadership skills and be able to apply these to a range of different situations, as well as advanced communication skills to be able to effectively convey messages between those that they manage and the management above them.
Project Manager…
Project Management is a role which is becoming more and more popular within most businesses, and with good reason. The role of a Project Manager is to look after the day-to-day management of business projects, focusing on aspects such as the scope, schedule, finance, risk, quality, and resources.
Whilst the role can vary depending on the industry, largely a Project Manager will float between different departments, working alongside relevant stakeholders to ensure different elements of a project are delivered correctly and on time. They will assign actions between these stakeholders and coordinate the work from beginning through to end. They will also need to communicate the status of the project to management and be liable for completion within assigned deadlines.
Project Managers may be responsible for more than one project at a time, depending on the scale of each, so organisation is an absolutely pivotal skill required to keep everything on track and moving along as expected.
The skills required for this role are often transferable between different industries, although some companies prefer to have direct experience within a particular background.
Financial Manager…
Finance or Financial Managers are responsible for all finance-related matters within a business, often second in command to the Finance Director or Chief Financial Officer. This role is responsible for developing and managing the financial goals of a business, creating projections and targets across each different department that feed into the overall business strategy. It tends to involve tasks such as budget planning, resource allocation, investment planning, and a level of risk analysis.
Reporting is key to this kind of management role, as you will be responsible for aligning figures across the whole business and keeping the rest of the management team up to date with progress, usually on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.
This role is very numeric and data-centric, so requires an expert understanding of figures and good mathematical experience. In addition to this, you must have excellent analytical and technical skills, with the ability to problem-solve on a large scale.
Most Financial Managers are qualified, or partially qualified, accountants, so you should take into account that you will need to undergo a series of professional examinations and practical training if this is a path that you wish to go down.
Operations Manager…
Operations Managers oversee a business’ day-to-day activities, such as hiring and firing, training, and managing organisational processes. The role is aligned closely with that of an HR department, and is very focused on policy and procedures that correspond with the management of a company’s priorities.
Although this role is largely similar to that of a General Manager, Operations Managers are responsible solely for tasks relating to business operations and production, and don’t get involved in areas such as marketing or strategy.
This role is usually common within businesses that offer products and services, increasing the efficiency of production and maintaining a high level of quality.
Although specifics vary depending on the industry, quite often an Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing other departments such as accounts payable and HR. They have a key role in long-term planning for the business, helping to drive initiatives that contribute to the overall success and functionality of the business goals.
In order to make it as an Operations Manager, you need a diverse range of traits, including assertiveness, ambition, and optimism.
Regional Manager…
Regional Managers are common within industries such as retail, and involve being responsible for a multitude of stores across a certain area. It is the role of a Regional Manager to determine and oversee the operational strategy for each of these stores, ensuring they are aligned and compliant with the company’s goals and business and/or marketing strategies.
As a Regional Manager, you will have a strict set of targets for your stores, usually based on making a certain number of sales or revenue. You will also work alongside a Financial Manager to agree these goals at the beginning of each financial year.
You will likely be the line manager for each of the General Managers within each store, therefore additionally responsible for ensuring they are performing well and understand the responsibilities within their own area.
As with most managerial roles, reporting is a key responsibility for a Regional Manager, and being able to track each different store’s progress against their targets and help keep them on track throughout the year is crucial to providing a robust and reliable management structure for each store.
What Makes a Good Manager?
Many of us will have horror stories about poor management that they’ve received in the past, and it’s true that there are a certain number of skills that are required in order to be considered a good manager.
One of the most important is being approachable. When you’re managing people, it’s so important that those under your wing feel comfortable coming to you with any issues they’re experiencing and trusting you to be able to solve them. If communication lines break down between you and your team, you’re setting yourself up for issues in the future.
Following on from this, problem-solving is another key skill for managers. Every day is different in a manager’s life, and you need to be able to think quickly and resolve issues not just for you and your team, but also for the wider business.
Understanding the needs of the business and your team is crucial to being a strong leader, and is something that any employer will look for when finding someone to lead their departments. Being a manager is a very selfless role and being able to take the time to develop and boost those beneath you will help to build that level of trust that is so important between a team and those that lead them.
Career Options In Management And The Training We Offer…
At Real Skills, we specialise in a range of different courses and apprenticeships to help those who want to get into a management role. The relevant training that we offer for those looking to progress within a management role are:
Business Administrator Level 3 (Apprenticeship Standard)…
This apprenticeship is a great starting point for getting your foot in the door of the management world. It provides you with hands-on experience within the office environment whilst gaining your qualification and even earning a salary at the same time.
Business Administrators are known for having a huge range of transferable skills which can be applied to almost all sectors, as well as both large and small businesses, whether that be in the private, public or charity sectors.
With a hybrid of face-to-face tutor support, online workshops and eLearning content, you can learn at your own pace and develop the skills required to excel in the business world.If you’re looking to kick-start your career in management, this apprenticeship could be a perfect place to start.
Team Leader or Supervisor Level 3 (Apprenticeship Standard)…
If you’re looking to further your career within a Team Leader or Supervisor role, this apprenticeship will give you all the skills and experience you need to land the perfect job. As with all our apprenticeships, you can benefit from a mix of in-person tutorship, plus online learning techniques, giving you everything you need to learn the skills and responsibilities needed to fulfil these roles.
The course covers 8 modules, including:
- Operational Management
- Project Management
- Finance
- Leading People
- Managing People
- Building Relationships
- Communication
- Style, Attitude and Behaviour
Level 3 Diploma in Management…
This course is ideal for those who are taking their first steps into the world of management and looking to increase their skills and employability. It’s also great for those who have more junior-level management experience who wish to advance their careers.
There are five units within the qualification, taking you through personal and professional development, practical team management and the theory behind people management, leadership and business.
Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5 (Apprenticeship Standard)…
This apprenticeship is designed for supervisors or managers who are looking to take the next step into a more senior role, providing you with a range of practical management experience that can be taken forward in your management career.
The course provides you with a variety of different skills, including strategic planning, how to manage projects, leadership and team management, and financial and resource planning.
There are 8 modules within this apprenticeship, covering:
- Operational Management
- Project Management
- Finance
- Leading People
- Managing People
- Building Relationships
- Communication
- Style, Attitude and Behaviour
Booking Your Training With Real Skills…
Want to learn more about your career options in management and what training will best kickstart your career?
If you’re interested in applying to any of our apprenticeships, you will need to complete an initial assessment and skills check so that we can understand your current level of skills and knowledge and ensure that you are completing the correct level. You will also need a GCSE or equivalent qualification in Maths and English at C or above, or that you are willing to undertake functional skills level 2 in Maths and English.
For our diploma courses, you will need to have a suitable work placement agreed upon in advance.
If you’re interested in applying for any of the courses listed above or are looking for more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch by completing our online enquiry form.
Alternatively, you can call us on 0151 257 6969 or email info@real-skills.co.uk. We’re open from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, and are happy to answer any questions that you may have.