What Can You Do With a Master's in Management?

Every business needs high-quality management to thrive. If you have a knack for leading others and enjoy being at the helm of a team, you may want to become a manager at some point in your career. 

Most management careers offer excellent earning potential and strong job security. Best of all, they exist in nearly every industry.

So, what are the best management careers that a master’s degree can help you qualify for? Below, we’ll review ten top management careers and what they entail.

#1 Project Manager

Looking to advance your career in management? Project managers tend to be in high demand in a wide range of industries. These managers oversee critical business projects from start to finish. Some of their responsibilities include:

• Determining the scope of new projects
• Analyzing budgets
• Managing and motivating teams
• Requesting and reviewing team updates
• Ensuring deadlines and standards are met
• Negotiating with suppliers and contractors
• Monitoring projects’ progress
• Reporting to stakeholders and upper management
• Setting targets for future projects

Succeeding as a project manager requires you to be organized, motivational, and skilled at communication. Not only do you need to keep track of deadlines and budgets, but you also need to be attuned to your team so you can find ways to inspire them to do their best. Fortunately, these are all skills you can develop during a management master’s program. 

#2 Marketing Manager

Marketing is a field that combines creativity and data-driven analysis. If you love tapping into both of these skills, becoming a marketing manager may be the right leadership career for you after you’ve earned your master's in management.  

Marketing managers oversee the development, implementation, and performance of marketing campaigns. Some of their day-to-day duties include: 

• Analyzing marketing data
• Developing strategies for new campaigns 
• Preparing sales contracts
• Setting budgets
• Coordinating teams of marketing professionals
• Establishing relationships with media outlets
• Monitoring campaigns’ performance
• Evaluating their team
• Educating employees and supporting their professional growth

As you can see, this role requires marketing expertise and exceptional leadership skills. 

#3 Financial Manager

Do you love working with numbers? If so, you may want to consider pursuing a career as a financial manager. In this role, the overarching goal is to optimize the financial health of your company. 

As a financial manager, you will spend your workday:

• Analyzing financial data
• Setting financial goals
• Developing strategies to reach these goals
• Communicating these goals and strategies with others at your company
• Producing financial reports and forecasts
• Finding ways to reduce costs and increase profits
• Advising senior management on financial matters
• Making investment decisions for the company
• Monitoring financial performance and progress

Financial managers can find jobs in a wide range of industries, including banking, insurance, and even government. 

#4 Natural Sciences Manager

If you’re more interested in science, a career as a natural science manager may be a perfect fit for you. In this role, you get to manage scientists and supervise their work. You can take your pick from a variety of scientific fields, including biology, chemistry, and physics.

Some of the responsibilities you’ll have as a natural science manager include:

• Overseeing scientists’ work
• Recruiting, training, and evaluating staff
• Working with top executives to develop goals and strategies
• Directing research and development
• Upgrading manufacturing processes
• Monitoring quality control
• Ensuring laboratories are properly stocked
• Coordinating with contractors, suppliers, and other managers
• Drafting reports on research progress and projects
• Delivering research findings to stakeholders

As you can see, natural science managers have their hand in a host of important scientific operations. In turn, they enjoy very interesting, dynamic career opportunities. 

#5 Business Development Manager

Business development managers help other companies improve their performance and increase their profits. They do so by helping them attract more customers, tap into new markets, forge strategic partnerships, and optimize their business operations. 

If you enjoy working with others and learning about different types of companies, this may be the ideal management career for you. Some of the daily responsibilities you’ll take on as a  business development manager include:

• Communicating with clients
• Learning about their business and target market
• Establishing goals for their growth
• Developing strategies to reach these goals
• Tracking, reporting, and forecasting improvements
• Forging strategic business partnerships
• Training employees within your department
• Creating proposals for new potential clients
• Attending industry events and conferences

By optimizing your clients’ customer acquisition and business operations, you can help them cultivate enduring value within their organization. Building up businesses and supporting their success is an incredibly satisfying endeavor. 

#6 Sales Manager

Sales is an attractive field because it presents exciting challenges on a daily basis. There’s no limit to what a salesperson can accomplish, especially when they’re supported by the right management. Pursuing a master’s in management could leverage your career as a sales manager, a role that allows you to motivate sales teams to operate at their peak. 

Sales managers ensure their sales team reaches its full potential by:

• Setting sales goals and quotas
• Developing strategies to reach these goals
• Training sales team members on the best sales methods
• Updating sales policies as needed
• Providing guidance, motivation, and mentorship
• Tracking and reporting sales performance to higher-ups
• Coordinating with marketing departments
• Resolving customer complaints

Sales managers get to help their team members grow professionally and level up their sales strategies. This type of work can be very satisfying.

#7 Human Resources Manager

Another crucial department that exists in a wide range of industries is human resources (HR). HR managers make sure that employees are engaged, comfortable, and treated well in their workplace.

Some of the responsibilities of an HR manager include: 

• Ensuring that labor laws are followed
• Developing and implementing HR policies and initiatives
• Overseeing recruitment and hiring
• Supporting employees’ professional development through training and workshops
• Organizing employee benefits and compensation
• Addressing conflict between employees
• Cultivating a positive work environment

As you can see, HR managers use a variety of tactics to create a safe and comfortable workplace. By supporting their employees, HR managers also help their companies hold onto key talent and thrive. 

#8 Public Relations Manager

Now more than ever, the way a company is perceived by the public is of paramount importance. Public relations managers are masters at shaping public perception. They help companies put their best foot forward and present a positive image.

Some of the tasks involved in public relations management include:

• Keeping tabs on the public perception of their company
• Developing strategies to improve this perception
• Organizing press releases
• Designating a qualified spokesperson to represent the company in the media
• Managing media inquiries
• Identifying the company’s target audience
• Developing effective communication strategies to reach this target audience

Working as a public relations manager requires social awareness, creativity, and outstanding communication skills. 

#9 Chief Executive Officer

Chief executive officers (CEOs) are the top-ranking executives at their companies. CEO is a highly coveted position because it’s often tied to a high-paying salary. With this impressive title comes great responsibility. 

CEOs are tasked with:

• Developing a strategic direction for the company
• Setting goals and procedures for various departments
• Hiring managers to lead those departments
• Overseeing daily operations
• Monitoring budgets, financial statements, and company performance
• Making important, time-sensitive decisions (often with limited information)
• Providing guidance to managers 
• Communicating with the board of directors

If you’re not afraid to work long hours and take on a lot of responsibility, becoming a CEO could be for you.

#10 Management Consultant

Lastly, pursuing a career as a management consultant can help you bring your skills and expertise to a variety of businesses and industries. As a management consultant, you get to help businesses improve their day-to-day operations and bottom line. 

After a business has hired you for your consulting services, your job will entail:

• Learning about their business goals 
• Observing their current management and operations
• Reviewing their budget, policies, and procedures
• Evaluating and speaking with their employees 
• Developing strategic plans to address any areas that need improvement
• Communicating your recommendations
• Aiding with the implementation of your advice

If you can successfully manage these tasks, you can make a meaningful impact on your clients’ productivity and performance. 

Earn Your Master’s in Management From Alliant International University

As you can see, there are many ways to put your management skills to good use and earn a salary in the process. If you want to set yourself up to qualify for one of these desirable management positions, a management degree from Alliant International University can help. 

Located in San Diego, our California School of Management and Leadership (CSML) offers a prestigious master’s program in management. By enrolling in this online management program, you can hone your management skills and learn what it takes to become an effective leader. 

Discover how Alliant International University can support your professional journey today.