Management Job Titles: Which One Fits You?

Marcie Wilmot

Certified Resume Writer, Career Coach, and Business Owner

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We all know what managers do because we’ve all worked under at least one (if not many) over the course of our careers. And, boy, can they impact our lives – both at the office and personally. On one hand, a bad manager can torpedo morale and even drive us to seek a new job. Someone who is good at managing others, on the other hand, will inspire and motivate us. In the same way, managers – good and bad – directly impact our happiness at work (and in life). 

Do you believe that you’d excel in a management position? Do you enjoy leading and mentoring others? If so, it might be time to determine what type of management role would suit you best. There are a lot of different options! This article will examine the various job titles for managers, explaining each position and its responsibilities so you can compare and choose what’s best for you. Let’s get started.

First, Are You a Good Fit for a Management Position?

First things first. Not everyone is cut out to be a manager. So how do you decide if this career choice suits you? To start, consider if you possess the following qualities and abilities:

• Strong communication – Perhaps most importantly, managers need to be able to clearly convey their expectations so that employees know what to do. They must also be capable of communicating effectively with clients, other managers, and key stakeholders. 
• Decisiveness and empathy – Can you confidently and quickly make decisions even under pressure? Are you considerate of the feelings of others? A combination of these two qualities is found in most great leaders.   
• Creative problem solving – Are you able to think both critically and creatively? Can you think outside the box to come up with innovative solutions?
• Organization – It’s crucial that a manager stay on top of their team, all employee tasks, and the resources that the company provides so that business objectives are met.
• Collaboration – Managers need to be able to effectively work with a variety of people (no matter what their level is in the organization). 

In addition to what is mentioned above, you have the potential to be a great manager if you can delegate tasks and motivate others. If a manager refuses to delegate, then they are likely controlling by nature and will eventually burn out from trying to do all the work themselves. Knowing how to properly inspire and incentivize team(s) helps ensure an environment where people will be happy and more apt to succeed.

If this list resonates with you, then it’s just a matter of figuring out which of the many manager titles suits you best. So, let’s explore some of the various types of managers titles.

From Director to Operations Manager: 8 Popular Management Titles

As you begin to investigate which management role will be a good fit, then you’ll quickly realize that there are a ton of different manager titles out there. Below we’ve listed some of the most common jobs in the management category.

Job Title #1: Director/Executive Director

Executive directors are constantly aware of the big picture. While they also play a role in solving everyday problems and establishing new procedures, their primary goal is to lead others to achieve company-wide objectives. Their tasks include juggling:

• Operations (development and management)
• Finances
• Risk management
• Human resources
• Community relations

You might be a good candidate for a director position if you possess the following qualifications:

• Operations and performance management experience
• Process optimization experience
• Recruiting and training experience
• Track record of meeting sales and productivity targets
• Exceptional communication skills

Job Title #2: General Manager

A general manager oversees the daily operations of a business. Acting like a scaled-down CEO, they also manage and motivate employees, create and manage budgets, and set operational policies. 

To be successful in this role (job title manager), you’ll need this type of background:

• In-depth management experience
• Financial and profit & loss experience
• Customer service and communication skills
• Problem solving and mentoring skills
• Track record of expertly leading teams

Job Title #3: Administrative Services Manager

An administrative services manager coordinates services for the company, which include overseeing the maintenance of the building and staying on top of its upkeep. They also plan and coordinate meetings, supervise clerical staff, and manage the distribution of mail.

If this is one of the manager job titles that interests you, consider if you possess the following expertise and experience:

• Project and people management experience
• Scheduling and planning skills
• Organizational skills
• Outstanding communication skills
• Tendency to be detail-oriented

Job Title #4: Construction Manager

As we progress along this manager title list, we come to the role of a construction manager. This type of manager oversees building projects from start to finish. They plan, build, restore, and renovate buildings, in addition to supervising budgets and entire construction projects. Often construction managers are also known as being project managers that just happen to have a lot of knowledge in the construction industry/field.

Construction managers need the following skills to excel in their field:

• Risk management experience
• Team management experience
• Negotiation and delegation skills
• Organizational skills
• Industry knowledge

Job Title #5: Marketing Manager

In your search for titles manager positions, there is a high probability that you will see Marketing Manager. It is considered the best sales and marketing position as well as one of the fastest growing managerial positions. So, the question becomes “What does a marketing manager do exactly“?

They create marketing and advertising campaigns and then supervise the teams that implement these campaigns. In addition, other day-to-day tasks include overseeing design, working with vendors, distributing ads, and tracking campaigns.

To be successful as a marketing manager, it’s generally necessary to possess these qualifications:

• Project management experience
• Marketing automation and CRM tools experience
• Experience developing marketing campaigns
• Creativity, multitasking, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills

Job Title #6: Computer Information Systems Manager

If you’re interested in technology, then the computer information systems manager role might be more up your alley. One of the more popular management position titles, this type of manager oversees the technological needs of a company. They concentrate on developing the business’ infrastructure, planning software updates, and preventing security threats. 

As one of the more technology-focused job titles for management, employers look for candidates with strong analytical and technical skills, as well as:

• Time and project management experience
• Problem solving and organizational skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership and management skills
• Ability to excel in high-pressure situations

Job Title #7: Sales Manager

Often working closely with marketing managers (both are trying to persuade people to buy their company’s product), sales managers lead a team of salespeople. They recruit, train, and manage sales teams while also setting sales targets, analyzing metrics, and evaluating performance. Additionally, they develop and optimize processes to drive sales. 

Of all the management positions titles listed here, this one is the most sales-focused. If this is your niche, read on to learn what qualities employers look for from candidates in this role:

• Several years of sales experience
• Experience setting sales quotas
• Customer service skills
• Strong communication skills
• Leadership and analytical skills
• Understanding of CRM programs

Job Title #8: Operations Manager

Last but not least, we come to the operations manager role. This type of manager leads the efficient production of goods (and/or services). They strive to maintain high product quality through different tasks such as overseeing daily operations, budgeting, setting sales goals, and monitoring staff safety. They also hire, supervise, and train employees with the goal to push for process improvements. 

To become an operations manager, you’ll need to have these qualifications:

• Operations management experience
• Budgeting development and oversight experience
• Conflict management experience
• Financial and account reporting experience
• Delegation, negotiation, and organizational skills

A Recap: How to Choose the Right Management Role

It’s easy to go online and search for titles management or job titles managers. You’ll likely pull up a long list of management roles, but how do you know which one is the right fit for you? After all, there are so many manager titles to consider. So, it’s imperative that you think about your interests, skills, qualities, and experience you have to offer. Then you can calculate how all of these elements align with each potential managerial role. If you know that you’re meant to lead others, keep at it until you uncover a management position that fits you. In the end, your future team members will thank you. 

Additional Resources

If you’ve decided that you want to pursue one of the management positions listed above, then the next step is going to be building your resume. Here, we list some management resume resources to help get you started.