What is a global manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Dr Rick Baldwin,
Todd Terry

Global management refers to the way an organization manages its business internationally. It includes managing employees and operations in different countries, different time zones, different languages, and different cultures. It also includes managing the risks and opportunities that arise by crossing national borders, working under different laws, and working with different currencies.

In order to qualify for the position, a bachelor's degree in economics, finance or business is a good starting point. However, it is worth adding here that, in some instances, a high school diploma or a G.E.D. may suffice as well. Furthermore, work experience of five or more years is also a requirement. Essential skills of a global manager include experience with specific applications such as the Eight Disciplines (8D) Problem Solving Process, Six Sigma, or SAP (Systems Applications and Products). Additionally, employers expect global managers to adapt to changing trends and internal market conditions as well as build rapport across cultural borders.

The median annually salary for global marketing managers was $98,794, while global account managers' median annual salary was $103,819. They make over $57 per hour and the career is likely to grow 8% and create 21,800 jobs during the coming years.

What general advice would you give to a Global Manager?

D

Dr Rick BaldwinDr Rick Baldwin LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor of Practice, Prairie View A&M University

To begin their career, I suggest that the graduate pursue their career as an entrepreneur. Based on the career interest, actually develop a business plan to launch this career as a business. I would use this as a platform in beginning the career as entrepreneur, consultant, or as an employee of a marketing organization.
ScoreGlobal ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.8

Avg. Salary $105,797

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.5

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 8.15%

Black or African American 3.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.67%

Unknown 5.32%

White 74.58%

Gender

female 34.57%

male 65.43%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress Level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
9.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.5

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Global Manager career paths

Key steps to become a global manager

  1. Explore global manager education requirements

    Most common global manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    67.4 %

    Master's

    20.7 %

    Associate

    7.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific global manager skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Project Management10.17%
    Oversight7.72%
    Customer Service7.14%
    Informed Consent4.98%
    Digital Marketing4.77%
  3. Complete relevant global manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New global managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a global manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real global manager resumes.
  4. Research global manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage five credit analysts and five documentation administrators, processing $275MM of annual volume and managing a $750MM portfolio.
    • Spearhead and manage the user community program for the marketing cloud.
    • Lead and manage a team of 9 in completing FDA validation documentation of the ERP system.
    • Lead departmental implementation of PeopleSoft CRM for tracking trouble tickets, escalations, customer data, and resolutions.
  5. Prepare your global manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your global manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a global manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Global Manager Resume templates

    Build a professional Global Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Global Manager resume.
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  6. Apply for global manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a global manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Global Manager Job

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Average global manager salary

The average Global Manager salary in the United States is $105,797 per year or $51 per hour. Global manager salaries range between $74,000 and $150,000 per year.

Average Global Manager Salary
$105,797 Yearly
$50.86 hourly

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How do global managers rate their job?

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Global Manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

Rule of thumb with international travel is be ready for serious jet-lag!

Cons

rule of thumb with international travel is to have jet-lag non-stop!


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

keeping the company vibrant in the marketplace and returning maximum shareholder value


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I love managing teams and taking the challenge


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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