The vice president (VP)/general manager is an executive who oversees all departments of a business. The VP/general manager must be skilled in leading multiple teams, finance, human resources, operations, and other types of departments, depending on the business. Usually, the vice president and general manager roles are separate, but in some cases they are a name for the same position.
VP/general managers frequently work as the primary authority figure overseeing the different departments of a business. They also work with other executives, including chief operating officers and report to the president and/or the chief executive officer of an organization. They must be able to lead multiple groups or departments of a business in working together as a whole. They may implement their own ideas for improving the processes and production of each department they oversee. The working environment for VPs/general managers is very nice. They usually have a spacious office and a secretary. They also spend a lot of time in board and conference rooms. Their hours are typically Monday through Friday, with shifts such as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but they tend to have more flexibility with their working hours than workers at lower levels. They may travel occasionally or frequently, depending on the company they represent. The tools they use are telephones, computers, pens and paper, and other typical office supplies.
As a top executive, VPs/general managers must usually have a master's degree in business management, accounting, or finance. However, some do work their way up to the position with a bachelor's degree. They must also have a wealth of experience in related fields, as well as prior management experience.
VPs/general managers hold a high level of power in any company that they may work for. They report to very few people and hold a large degree of responsibility for how well all aspects of a business perform. They must be versatile and capable in many functions of the business world and able to coordinate so that all of the different departments that they oversee work together at a high level.
Vice President (VP), General Manager Tasks
- Determine and formulate policies and business strategies and provide overall direction of an organization.
- Plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate managers.