General manager facts for kids

A general manager (often called a GM) is a top leader in a company. They are in charge of making sure the business earns money and doesn't spend too much. Think of them as the main person responsible for the company's success. A GM usually looks after how the company sells its products or services, and how it runs every day. They are key to planning, organizing, and making important decisions to help the business make a profit.

Often, a general manager might have a different job title. For example, the chief executive officer (CEO) or president of a company is usually its general manager. Sometimes, other leaders like the chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), or chief marketing officer (CMO) might also act as a general manager. In bigger companies, many vice presidents might also be called general managers if they are fully responsible for a specific part of the business.

In technology companies, general managers are sometimes called product managers. If a company sells everyday items, the GM might be known as a brand manager or category manager. For companies that offer professional services (like legal or consulting firms), the general manager could be called a managing partner or managing director.

General Managers in Different Jobs

Hotel Managers

In the hotel world, the general manager is the main boss of a hotel. They are responsible for everything, including making sure the hotel makes money. The GM has the final say on how the hotel runs. They usually report to a higher-up manager or the hotel's owners.

A hotel general manager has many important duties. These include hiring and leading a team of department heads, who manage different parts of the hotel. They also handle the hotel's money and finances. GMs set goals for the hotel, manage sales, marketing, and how much rooms cost. They also deal with emergencies, help guests, manage staff, and work with the local community.

The exact jobs of a hotel general manager can change a lot depending on how big the hotel is. For example, a GM at a small hotel might do extra tasks like accounting, human resources, and buying supplies. In a larger hotel, these jobs would be handled by other managers or whole departments.

Sports Team General Managers

In most professional sports, the general manager is the team leader who deals with players. They are responsible for getting new players, making deals for their contracts, and deciding which players will leave the team. The GM might also hire or fire the team's head coach.

Years ago, in U.S. professional sports, coaches often did both jobs: coaching and being the general manager. They would decide which players stayed or left, and even help with their contracts. Sometimes, the team owner was also the coach and the general manager!

As professional sports became bigger and involved more money, players started hiring agents to help with their contracts. This made contract talks more complex. GMs now work hard to make sure player contracts fit within team budgets and the team's goals.

General managers usually pick players in player drafts. They work closely with coaches and scouts to build a strong team. In sports with smaller, developmental leagues, the GM is usually the one who decides when players move between these leagues and the main team.

Many successful sports general managers used to be players or coaches themselves. Others come from business or ownership backgrounds.

In Europe, especially in football, the term "general manager" is not common. Instead, they use "manager" or "coach" for the main managing role. The job of a director of football is probably the closest thing to a general manager in many European football clubs.

See also

• Business manager
• Hotel management
• Hospitality management studies
• Managing Director
• Sports Illustrated Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade (2009)
• Sporting News Executive of the Year (MLB)
• Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year Award (NFL)
• NBA Executive of the Year Award
• Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award (NHL)
• National Lacrosse League GM of the Year Award

Images for kids

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  A robot, symbolizing modern management and technology.