Business, consulting and management jobs

Dedicated professionals are required across most sectors, including environment, finance, healthcare, and retail organisations. Consider these popular business careers and get an idea of what's on offer

The range of jobs you can get with a business-related degree is much broader than if you're entering the job market without one. You may be able to work your way up without a degree working for a small business, but you'll need extensive experience to progress.

Business adviser

You'll provide clients with information, coaching and guidance, from advising individuals looking to start a business to supporting established organisations.

A high proportion of business advisers are graduates from a variety of disciplines who started out in professional and financial services, such as:

• accountancy, banking and finance
• HR
• marketing
• recruitment.

Many will have worked in these industries and run their own businesses.

Learn more about the role of a business adviser.

Business analyst

In this typically IT-focused business job, you'll work with an organisation to manage, change, and plan for the future in line with its goals, either for specific projects or on a more permanent basis.

You'll create solutions to their problems, typically in relation to information and software systems.

To succeed, you'll need:

• excellent communication skills
• the ability to motivate others and lead change
• a related degree in a subject such as information systems.

Find out more about what's involved in becoming a business analyst.

Business development manager

Responsible for improving and growing a business, you'll foster and develop relationships with customers, suppliers, and other partners. You may work to improve profitability or enhance the operation of the business, position, or reputation in some way.

To be successful, you'll need:

• excellent communication skills
• good networking skills
• initiative
• tenacity
• the ability to think strategically.

Discover what else you'll need to become a business development manager.

Economist

In this career, you'll use theories and knowledge to provide specialist advice by studying data and statistics and uncovering trends.

You'll conduct research and collect large amounts of information, which will then be used to:

• assess feasibility
• produce forecasts of economic trends
• determine the implications of your findings
• recommend ways to improve efficiency.

Entry is possible with a degree in economics or a joint degree.

Find out what you could earn as an economist.

Environmental consultant

Not all consultancy jobs confine you to a desk. To become an environmental consultant, you'll need an honours degree in:

• environmental management
• environmental science
• geology
• hydrogeology.

It's also essential to have sound business skills and commercial awareness.

You'll work with organisations on a range of environmental issues, offering expert advisory and assessment services to your clients to minimise or eliminate environmental damage.

Read up on becoming an environmental consultant and discover how to get an environmental job.

Ergonomist

The role involves scientifically studying the relationship between people, environments, and equipment, using their findings to improve human interaction with processes and systems.

To become an ergonomist, you'll need:

• an interest in people's behaviour in different situations
• good numeracy and problem-solving skills
• the ability to understand technical concepts.

You'll also require an undergraduate or Masters degree in ergonomics/human factors, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF).

Consider what it's like to work as an ergonomist.

Health service manager

Working in either a National Health Service (NHS) or private healthcare setting, you'll manage healthcare services' cost, delivery and quality.

You'll work with clinical and non-clinical staff and other partner organisations while considering policy demands and local circumstances.

As a graduate with a minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in any subject, you can apply to the fast-track NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme (GMTS).

Gain an insight into the role of a health service manager.

Hotel manager

In this management position, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day running of a hotel and its staff and holding commercial accountability for budgeting and financial management.

You'll plan, organise and direct hotel services, including front-of-house, food and beverage operations and housekeeping.

In larger hotels, you'll often have a specific remit, such as guest services, accounting or marketing.

Read more about the role of a hotel manager.

Internal auditor

Working in the public sector, for private companies or accountancy firms, you'll provide an independent guarantee that an organisation's risk management, governance, and control processes are operating effectively.

While open to all graduates, a degree, HND, or foundation degree in accounting and finance, economics, or IT may be beneficial.

Discover how to become an internal auditor.

Management consultant

Helping organisations solve issues, create value, maximise growth, and improve business performance, you'll use your business skills to provide objective advice and expertise and highlight any specialist skills they may be lacking.

Business management consultancy is open to graduates from any discipline, but a numerical or analytical degree may give you an advantage.

Read more about the responsibilities of a management consultant.

Office manager

Also known as business, administrative, or operations managers, office managers are responsible for organising the administrative activities that facilitate an office's smooth running.

To carry out your duties, you'll need:

• strong IT knowledge
• excellent organisation skills
• the ability to prioritise
• teamwork skills
• interpersonal and communication skills, such as speaking, listening and writing.

For further information, see office manager.

Product manager

Opportunities are available with any company that makes a technical, financial or manufactured product.

You'll ensure that the product is made as efficiently as possible and that the people working on it can access the latest technologies and techniques.

You're also responsible for the product's life cycle, ensuring that the roadmap is followed and features are released on time.

Learn more about a career as a product manager.

Project manager

You're responsible for completing the project work according to the plan, so you'll need to:

• track work to be completed
• set deadlines
• delegate tasks to your project team
• identify any potential risks.

You can get into project management with a degree in any subject. However, studying project or business management will provide practical knowledge about the commercial aspects of projects.

Find out more about the role of a project manager and discover how to become a project manager.

Retail manager

Responsible for the day-to-day running of stores or departments, retail managers aim to maximise profits while minimising costs. You'll ensure that promotions are run according to the company's standards and that staff work towards targets.

Although open to all graduates, an HND or degree in business studies, fashion management, marketing, and retail management may increase your chances.

Gain an insight into the role of a retail manager and discover 6 questions to ask in a retail management interview.

Risk manager

Working to advise organisations on potential risks to the profitability or existence of the company, you'll:

• identify and assess threats
• put plans in place if things go wrong
• decide how to avoid, reduce or transfer risks.

The following skills and attributes are essential to the role:

• technical acumen
• decision-making and problem-solving ability
• planning and organisational skills
• commercial awareness
• the ability to understand broad business issues.

Discover what it takes to become a risk manager.

Sustainability consultant

You'll help businesses become more socially and environmentally responsible in their operations.

Your duties will involve evaluating a company's environmental impact and then minimising that impact or planning the use of limited resources.

While you don't always need a degree, most sustainability consultants have one.

Learn more about the role of a sustainability consultant.

Find out more

• Explore 7 skills for a successful management career.
• Consider studying a management course.
• Read about consulting graduate schemes.