Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services (NOC 0013)

Senior managers of financial, communications and other business services create and set the goals for the organization. Since they hold a leadership position in their organization, they also develop and approve policies and programs for their departments.

People in this career can work for a wide variety of companies in the public and private sectors.

In general, senior managers of financial, communications and other business services:

• Help to determine the company’s mission, strategic direction, goals, plans and policies
• Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate company operations
• Identify human resource needs, including promotion opportunities and creation of new positions
• Hire and manage middle managers and other staff
• Oversee budgets within their department or company
• Develop or approve policies and programs, including managing assets, staff and operations

Senior financial managers are primarily focused on the financial areas of a company while senior communications managers oversee elements such as marketing, public relations, social media and the company’s brand reputation. Senior managers in other business services may be involved with human resources, company culture and employee morale.

Senior managers in financial, communications and other business services usually work in an office environment. The widespread use of technology has increased the opportunity for some people to work from a home office on a part-time basis.

Senior managers of financial, communications and other business services are usually appointed by a board of directors and often report to people who hold titles such as director and vice-president. They work alone at times and other times they work directly with the Chief Executive Officer, President or Executive Director of the organization.

In addition to the specific skills required to work in finance, communications and other business services, having good people skills is equally important. A senior manager may be called to speak to people throughout the company from the most junior employee to the chief executive officer, and they need to do that in a way that makes people feel comfortable. In addition, senior managers frequently make presentations to a board of directors, to investors or at conferences. They may also be required to attend networking events with senior executives.