How to become a Corporate General Manager

Also called: Chief Operating Officer

Plans, organises, directs, controls and reviews the day-to-day operations and major functions of a commercial, industrial, governmental or other organisation through departmental managers and subordinate executives.

Main tasks

• Plans policies and sets standards and objectives for organisations
• Provides day-to-day direction and management of organisations
• Directs and endorses policies to fulfil objectives, achieve specific goals, and maximise profit and/or efficiency
• Consults and liaises with departmental heads on matters such as finance, sales and human resources
• Implements and oversees organisational policies and programs
• Selects senior staff and manages their performance
• Ensures and encourages compliance with organisational policies and protocols, and relevant legislation
• Represents the organisation at official occasions, in negotiations, at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums
• May prepare or arrange for the preparation of reports, budgets and forecasts

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Business (BSB60120); Graduate Diploma of Portfolio Management (BSB80220); Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership (BSB80320); Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420); Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB60420); Diploma of Business (BSB50120); Diploma of General Insurance (FNS51120); Diploma of Retail Leadership (SIR50116)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 71,300 people work in this job group now, and about 81,100 are projected by 2035. (+13.7%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Defence Force Senior Officer
• Chief Executive or Managing Director
• Local Government Legislator
• Member of Parliament

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Corporate General Manager?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Business; Graduate Diploma of Portfolio Management.

Is a Corporate General Manager a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2035, from about 71,300 to about 81,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Corporate General Manager?

Not always. 53% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Business; Graduate Diploma of Portfolio Management.

Will AI change the work of a Corporate General Manager?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04