All careers
Business
Business / Operations Manager
Lead teams, run operations and help organisations grow.
Key skills
LeadershipCommunicationPlanningCommercial awareness
Ways in
UniversityApprenticeshipStraight into work
Typical prerequisites
- Business or management degree / degree apprenticeship, or work up from entry roles
Alternative routes
- Project manager
- HR
- Marketing
Route milestones
- 1
Entry role or apprenticeship
Around year 0–3
- 2
Team leader
Around year 3–5
- 3
Manager
Around year 5–8
- 4
Director
Around year 10+
Progression: Assistant → team lead → manager → director.
Indicative pay bands
Starting out£24,000 – £30,000
Experienced£40,000 – £60,000
Senior / top end£70,000 – £120,000
Indicative example estimates compiled October 2026 for planning conversations only. Pay varies by region, employer, sector and hours. Always verify with official sources such as the National Careers Service.
Verify on National Careers ServiceContribution & impact
Creates jobs and keeps organisations running well.