Hiring General and Operations Managers

What do general and operations managers do?

• Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
• Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
• Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
• Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
• Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
• Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 11-1021.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Photoshop for this role.

What do general and operations managers get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for general and operations managers in 92 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $76,080 to $163,860 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $103,710. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 11-1021.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for general and operations managers in this build is $163,860. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $32,772 to $49,158 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a general and operations managers search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.