General manager job description template

What a general manager does

A general manager runs a business unit, location, or company as if it were their own. They're accountable for revenue, profit, customers, and people all at once. Candidates for GM roles want to know the size of the business they'll run, their decision authority, and how their pay connects to results. If the job is really a store or branch manager role, say so, because that changes who applies.

General manager job description template

Copy the description, replace everything in [brackets], and cut any line that isn't true for your job. The duties and requirements are a starting point written by HR practitioners, not a legal standard, so edit them to match the real work.

General manager

Details
- Department: [Department]
- Reports to: [Manager title]
- Location: [City, State, or remote]
- Employment type: [Full-time, part-time, or seasonal]
- FLSA status: Exempt
- Pay range: [$X to $Y per year]

About [Company]
[Two or three sentences about what your company does, who it serves, and why people like working here.]

Job summary
We're hiring a general manager to lead our [location, business unit, or company], grow revenue and profit, and build a strong team.

What you'll do
- Own the profit and loss for [location or business unit].
- Set strategy, goals, and annual plans with leadership.
- Lead and develop managers across all functions.
- Grow revenue through customer relationships, sales, and new opportunities.
- Control costs, staffing, and capital spending.
- Ensure safety, quality, and compliance.
- Represent the business with customers, partners, and the community.
- Report performance and forecasts to ownership or executives.

What you'll need
- [Seven] or more years of leadership experience, including P&L responsibility.
- Proven record of growing revenue and profit.
- Strong financial and business judgment.
- Experience leading managers.

Nice to have
- Bachelor's degree or MBA.
- Experience in [industry].
- Multi-site leadership experience.

Skills
P&L management, Strategic planning, Leadership, Financial judgment, Customer focus, Accountability.

Physical demands and work environment
Office and site setting, with travel as needed.

Pay and benefits
[$X to $Y per year], based on experience and location. [List benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plan match, paid time off, and training.]

Equal opportunity
[Company] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview, contact [name] at [email or phone].

How to customize it for your job

• Describe the size of the business, such as revenue and headcount.
• Say what decisions the GM can make alone.
• Explain the bonus or equity tied to results.
• Name the reporting line.

Then check it against the HRTally job description standard, our 10-point checklist, and run it through the inclusive language swap list. Both take about five minutes.

How much to pay a general manager

Half of US general and operations managers earned more than $50.85 an hour in May 2025, and half earned less, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That national figure is a starting point, not a pay range. Pay for the same job can differ by 30 percent or more between metro areas, so check the BLS occupation profile for state and metro data before you set your range.

To convert between hourly and annual pay, use our salary to hourly calculator. If you hire in a state or city with a pay transparency law, the range must appear in the posting itself. Our pay transparency laws guide lists where, and our guide to salary bands explains how to set ranges you can defend.

Exempt status, licenses, and legal notes

FLSA status: Usually exempt. Job titles don't decide overtime eligibility. Duties and pay do. Our guide to exempt vs non-exempt employees walks through each test, and the overtime calculator shows what a nonexempt employee is owed.

General managers who run a business or location, direct two or more full-time employees, and are salaried above the threshold usually qualify for the executive exemption. Store or branch managers in retail and restaurants should be checked carefully, because many overtime claims involve managers who spend most of their day on the same work as hourly staff. GMs are also usually the employer's responsible party for safety and posting requirements on site.

This is general information for US employers, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state and city, so confirm the current rules or talk to employment counsel before you rely on them.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same core questions and score answers against the same criteria. Structured interviews are fairer and predict job performance better than open conversation.

1. Tell me about a business you turned around.
2. How do you decide where to invest when budget is tight?
3. How do you build a leadership team?
4. Walk me through how you read a P&L.

When you're ready to schedule, use our interview invitation email template. For a full hiring process, read the recruitment process guide.

Frequently asked questions