Students who want top jobs with an online MBA will be glad to know there are opportunities in almost every industry. The content and quality of online MBA programs are equal to traditional programs, especially when they offer seminar, internship and weekend workshop opportunities.
Program Manager
Program managers oversee various departments and business units. For example, they may oversee and coordinate projects designed to ensure quality outcomes, peak performance and goal achievement. They may establish programs to increase employment suitable fit, diversity training quality or return on investment performance. They may monitor work quality by reviewing reports and providing feedback on how to improve results and processes. Program managers usually represent their organization with the business community, governmental representatives and industry groups. They participate in management teams and provide program progress to executives. They are leaders who plan and implement key decisions that support goals, progress and the work environment. They provide oversight and advice to staff and supervisors as needed.
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Strategic Planner
One of the less common top jobs with an online MBA is a strategic planner. These professionals manage business development activities across states and regions. Their projects may include research, analysis, modeling and recommendations. They may study industry trends, competitive threats, expansion opportunities, business performance and operational improvement. They work closely with leaders to formulate long-term strategies, identify and evaluate business development opportunities and prepare reports that include financial models and market analysis. They develop presentations and present their analysis and conclusions to senior management. Strategic planners will need direct experience related to management, consulting, research and business operations. Employers will expect them to have excellent strategic, financial and relationship skills.
Mergers & Acquisitions Manager
M&A managers study potential industry offerings that may be suitable for partnerships or acquisitions. They oversee the delivery of deal executions through contract agreements, legal channels and negotiations. They make suggestions on possible partnerships with industry leaders and foster new relationships with suitable parties. They evaluate potential opportunities and perform necessary risk management assessments. They assure that the merger or acquisition smoothly takes place by ensuring that all proper protocols take place, all deadlines are met and that all parties are satisfied. They are a key player in invigorating and reinforcing company policy and services to promote appropriate and timely decisions. M&A managers will need strong familiarity with business projects and development.
Operations Manager
Operations managers work in various industries. For instance, an operation manager who works in a health care organization may work with office, clinical and administrative personnel to ensure effective and efficient operations and support goal achievement. Their duties may involve day to day management of clinical and administrative staff, so they must ensure adequate staffing levels, maintain standard operating procedures and develop training platforms for new hires or transfers. They usually run quality or improvement programs to ensure consistency and operational efficiency. They create and implement risk, contingency, succession, cross-training and cross-coverage planning matrices. They evaluate operational needs of assigned areas in order to make recommendations for improvement.
HR Manager
HR managers have multiple legal, employee and performance management duties. They are the ones who ensure that the company focuses on proper strategic objectives related to safety, legal compliance and employee services and engagement. They work with supervisors to monitor key performance elements through HR reports and operational dashboards. They support the delivery of the highest quality and most efficient employee training and development initiatives. They ensure compliance with state and federal policies and regulatory guidelines. HR managers will need past experience managing teams of people, achieving goals and outcomes and evaluating organizational and employee performance.
All of the top jobs with an online MBA will most likely require a talent for leading, good documentation skills and excellent coaching skills. Job candidates will also need a high level of professionalism in actions, words and appearance.