Business Manager CV examples

Writing a CV as a Business Manager isn’t just a list of duties – it’s a strategic document that proves you know how to lead teams and keep operations running smoothly.

This guide breaks down exactly how to present your skills and experience, so hiring managers can see you’ve got the leadership know-how and commercial awareness to make a real impact.

You wouldn’t manage a team without a plan, so don’t expect to land a role without a well-crafted CV. Your job is about efficiency, and your CV should reflect that with a clear structure.

This’ll reflect the same organisational skills you’ll bring to the business itself. Employers want to find the key details quickly – show them you know how to present information clearly and professionally.

Here’s the layout your CV should follow:

• Name and contact details – Start with your name and persona details – make it simple for recruiters to reach you. Including a photo is a personal choice.
• Profile – Introduce yourself with a summary of your leadership experience, commercial awareness, and operational skills.
• Core skills – Give a quick snapshot of essential abilities, such as process optimisation, team leadership, and budget management.
• Work experience – Lay out your management roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on results and strategic contributions.
• Education – Outline your education and certifications, focusing on those most relevant to the role.
• Additional info – Optionally, mention memberships, awards, or hobbies that add to your leadership profile.

If your CV is more cluttered than an overbooked calendar, it’s time to clean it up. Professionalism matters for leadership roles, and your CV needs to reflect that with a clear format, free from mistakes. If your CV is chaotic, employers may question your ability to bring order to their business.

Stick to these formatting tips:

• Bullet points – Employ short, punchy bullet points to make responsibilities and achievements easy to read.
• Divide sections – Separate each part of your CV logically so nothing important gets overlooked.
• Use a clear and readable font – Choose a professional, readable font that keeps the focus on your content.
• No more than 2 pages – Aim for two pages – plenty of length to show your expertise without overwhelming the reader.

Your profile sets the tone for your whole application. It’s your chance to quickly explain why you’re the Business Manager they need, so it should highlight your leadership style, commercial focus, and operational expertise, with the aim of conveying the benefits that hiring you would bring.

Here’s what to cover:

• Leadership experience – Mention your background managing teams and driving business success.
• Strategic thinking – Highlight your ability to develop and implement plans that achieve commercial goals.
• Operational excellence – Emphasise your strength in optimising processes, managing resources, and delivering improvements.
• Financial oversight – Touch on your experience managing budgets, costs, and financial targets.
• Business impact – Frame yourself as someone who doesn’t just manage processes – you improve them to deliver stronger results.

A Business Manager wears many hats – this section should include the key skills that drive success. Hiring managers want to see your ability to lead, strategise, and optimise – put those skills front and centre.

Think of the skills for your CV as your KPIs – make sure they’re measurable and relevant. Every company will have different priorities, so tailor this list to the job you’re applying for. Focus on the skills most valued in that particular industry or business model.

The real proof of your ability lies in your work experience. This section should demonstrate how you’ve applied your leadership skills to deliver measurable results – whether that’s increasing revenue, streamlining processes, or improving team performance.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Focus on the business challenges you tackled, the strategies you implemented, and the results you achieved. Even if a role didn’t have “Business” or “Manager” in the title, show how you took ownership of processes, teams, and projects.

• Outline – Summarise the company’s size, industry, and your place within the management team.
• Responsibilities – Explain the key areas you managed, such as overseeing daily operations, managing budgets, or improving processes. 
• Achievements – Showcase measurable results, such as revenue growth, cost reductions, operational efficiencies, or successful projects delivered under your leadership.

While hands-on leadership experience is often most valuable, your education adds important context – especially if you hold qualifications in business management, leadership, or financial management.

List your degrees, diplomas, and any leadership training, including the institution and completion date. If you’ve completed executive development courses or certifications related to operational excellence, process improvement, or financial management, highlight these to strengthen your profile further.

If you’re transitioning into management from a different background, emphasise any leadership training or management courses that show you’re equipped for the step up.