Steering a company’s expansion, devising winning strategies and mobilizing teams: this is the day-to-day job of a Business Manager. As the driving force behind business development, he combines financial management, negotiation and leadership to guarantee the performance and growth of his organization.
Active in a wide variety of sectors, including digital services, finance, industry and consulting, this strategic position requires a long-term vision and the ability to seize market opportunities.
But what exactly does a Business Manager do? What skills are essential? How do you get into the job, and what career prospects does it offer? Find out everything you need to know about this fascinating profession in this article.
What is a Business Manager and why is he essential?
The Business Manager is a professional responsible for developing the sales and sales margin of his area of responsibility. He identifies and exploits growth opportunities by negotiating with prospects and active customers to implement new projects.
In a demanding economic environment, he plays a decisive role in :
- Attracting and retaining customers through an effective sales approach.
- Maximizing financial performance by optimizing costs and margins.
- Ensuring effective management to motivate employees and develop their skills.
The Business Manager thus plays a central role in the company’s growth and competitiveness strategy.
The main missions of a Business Manager
In charge of development and organization, the Business Manager is involved in strategic and operational missions in several key areas.
Development and management of a customer portfolio
The Business Manager’s priority is to expand his customer portfolio and build loyalty.
To achieve this, he :
- Analyzes the market and anticipates trends to identify new business opportunities.
- Implements effective prospecting strategies, such as participating in trade events, establishing partnerships and using digital tools.
- Conducts key negotiations to adapt offers to customer needs and formalize solid commercial commitments.
- Maintains a close relationship with his customers to guarantee a high level of satisfaction and strengthen their loyalty.
Steering sales and financial strategy
As guarantor of the company’s economic viability, the Business Manager is responsible for :
- Developing budget forecasts and setting realistic growth targets.
- Monitoring key performance indicators, such as sales, margins and conversion rates.
- Anticipating financial risks and optimizing costs to maintain economic equilibrium.
Team management and recruitment
A successful Business Manager is first and foremost an inspirational leader. He must :
- Select and integrate the profiles best suited to the company’s needs.
- Instill a culture of performance and innovation to stimulate employee commitment.
- Set up monitoring and assessment tools to support team skills development.
Performance monitoring and reporting
The Business Manager constantly monitors performance indicators to adjust his actions and maximize the profitability of his perimeter. He relies on :
- Analysis and reporting tools to measure trends in sales, margins and customer portfolios.
- Dynamic dashboards, providing a real-time view of sales and financial performance.
- Strategic reporting for management, to guide decisions and fine-tune growth objectives.
Thanks to constant monitoring and intelligent use of data, he anticipates market trends and adjusts his strategy to guarantee the company’s competitiveness.
What makes a good Business Manager?
To succeed in this role, a Business Manager must combine technical expertise with people skills. His ability to analyze financial data, negotiate strategic contracts and lead high-performance teams is essential to ensure the company’s growth and profitability. Let’s take a look at these key skills.
Management and finance
A Business Manager needs a solid understanding of financial issues to ensure project profitability. He is responsible for drawing up budget forecasts, optimizing costs and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) in order to make informed decisions. A good command of financial management tools, such as dashboards and ERP software, is essential to guarantee the economic viability of operations.
Contract negotiation
Negotiation is an integral part of the Business Manager’s job. He must be able to reach advantageous agreements with customers, suppliers and partners. Good negotiation is based on meticulous preparation, detailed needs analysis and persuasive communication. The aim is to secure strategic contracts while maintaining solid, lasting commercial relationships.
Leadership and team management
A good Business Manager is also a leader capable of inspiring and motivating his teams. He must create a stimulating work environment, encourage employees to develop their skills and instill a performance culture. Clear communication, active listening and the ability to unite around common objectives are essential qualities for leading teams to success.
How do I become a Business Manager?
The Business Manager profession requires solid training in management, finance or commerce. It is generally accessible after a Bac+5 degree, supplemented by specific certifications that reinforce expertise in sales strategy and management.
Training
There are several academic paths to this position:
- Business schools: renowned Swiss institutions such as HEC Lausanne and Haute École de Gestion de Genève (HEG) offer specialized programs in business and strategic management.
- Specialized master’s degrees: university master’s degrees in business administration or information science are also offered by institutions such as HEC Lausanne and HEG Geneva, enabling students to acquire essential skills in business development and company management.
- Engineering degrees with a specialization in management: some engineers choose to complement their technical training with a specialization in management to steer projects with a strong strategic and commercial dimension.
Useful certifications
In addition to a diploma, certain certifications can enhance a Business Manager’s skills and credibility:
- PMP (Project Management Professional): this certification, issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is widely recognized internationally and particularly useful for professionals involved in the management of complex projects.
- Leadership and negotiation certifications: specialized programs in team management, decision-making and business negotiation are offered by leading institutions.
Although not essential, these certifications are differentiating assets on the job market and help you stand out from the crowd with recruiters.
How much does a Business Manager earn in Switzerland?
The remuneration of a Business Manager in Switzerland depends on a number of factors, including level of experience, company size, field of activity and location. As demand for this profile is high, salaries can be particularly competitive.
In addition to their fixed salary, Business Managers in Switzerland receive variable remuneration which can represent a significant proportion of their overall package. This remuneration is directly linked to their performance and the company’s results. It includes :
- Annual bonuses, based on the achievement of financial and strategic targets set by the company.
- Sales commissions, particularly common in sectors where business development plays a central role.
- Exceptional bonuses, awarded for the success of high-impact projects or the signing of strategic contracts.
What are the career prospects for a Business Manager?
After several years’ experience, a Business Manager can aspire to positions of greater responsibility, depending on his skills and ambitions. There are several possible career paths:
Consolidate your sales expertise
- Become a senior Business Manager, taking charge of more complex and strategic projects.
- Move into a Key Account Manager position, specializing in the management of key accounts and strategic customers.
Move into sales management
- Move up to Agency Manager or Regional Manager, to manage a business unit and supervise teams.
- Take on the role of Sales Manager, optimizing the performance of sales teams.
- Become Business Development Director, defining and implementing expansion strategies in new markets.
Specialize in a technical field
- Become a Business Unit Manager, taking responsibility for a specific business unit within the company.
- Move into a Business Developer position, focused on finding new opportunities and conquering new markets.
These developments enable Business Managers to shape their career path according to their affinities, whether strategic, commercial or managerial.
Sectors and companies recruiting Business Managers in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the position of Business Manager is in high demand in several sectors, due to a growing need for professionals capable of supporting digital transformation and ensuring sustainable growth.
Among the main sectors recruiting :
- Digital service companies are looking for Business Managers to develop their customer portfolios and manage IT projects.
- Swiss banks and insurance companies are recruiting business development experts to drive their sales strategy.
- Industry and technology companies, with their innovation-driven markets, need strategists who can identify and exploit new opportunities.
- Consulting and auditing firms are looking for Business Managers to develop their business and support their customers in their transformation.
A large proportion of job vacancies is concentrated in cities such as Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne and Basel, due to their economic attractiveness and the presence of many multinational companies.
Why choose Qim info for your career in Business Management?
Qim info, a digital services company, is a major player in Switzerland’s IT sector. Specializing in consulting, application development and IT infrastructure, we support our customers in their strategic projects by drawing on the expertise of our employees. Joining our team means joining a company that values skills and offers a framework conducive to professional development.
Joining Qim info means :
- Progression in a stimulating and collaborative environment : by joining our teams, you join a community of enthusiasts who work on large-scale projects and benefit from a framework conducive to knowledge sharing. Regular events are organized to strengthen cohesion and interaction between consultants.
- Work on varied, high value-added assignments: at Qim info, we work with our customers on key technological issues, giving you the opportunity to develop your career in strategic sectors such as finance, industry and healthcare.
- Tailor-made support: we make it a point of honor to follow our employees throughout their career, with individualized support and development opportunities tailored to their ambitions. This commitment is illustrated by the experience of Arthur, a consultant at Qim info, who talks about the support and opportunities he has benefited from within the company (read his interview).
- Develop your skills through ongoing training: whether you’re on assignment or between different missions, you have access to training and certification courses to broaden your expertise and adapt to changes in the IT market.
Looking for a new challenge? Check out our job offers and join Qim info!
