Management & LeadershipISCO 1219

Business service manager

Business service managers are reponsible for the provision of professional services to companies. They organise the provision of services tailored to the needs of the client and liaise with clients to agree on the contractual obligations for both parties.

Check yourself in a minute: business service manager

Rate 5 of the 17 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

manage budgets

programme work according to incoming orders

manage administrative systems

maintain professional administration

write work-related reports

About business service manager

As a business service manager, you are the bridge between your organization and its clients, responsible for delivering tailored professional services that meet specific business needs. You'll manage complex projects, oversee administrative systems, and coordinate with multiple departments to ensure seamless service delivery. Your strategic planning and decision-making skills directly impact client satisfaction and organizational profitability, making this a pivotal role in building long-term business relationships.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a business service manager.

1

Strategic Planning and Business Development

  • Develop comprehensive business plans aligned with organizational objectives and market opportunities
  • Implement strategic management initiatives to improve service delivery and operational efficiency
  • Make strategic business decisions based on market analysis and financial data
2

Client Relationship Management

  • Consult with business clients to identify their needs and expectations
  • Negotiate and maintain contract administration to ensure mutual agreement and compliance
  • Organize the provision of services tailored to specific client requirements
3

Project and Resource Management

  • Programme work according to incoming orders and client timelines
  • Identify necessary human resources and allocate them to projects effectively
  • Manage budgets and control project costs while maintaining service quality
4

Administrative Operations

  • Manage and maintain professional administration systems and processes
  • Perform clerical duties and maintain personal administration records
  • Write work-related reports documenting project progress, outcomes, and recommendations
5

Office Administration and Systems

  • Manage administrative systems to ensure smooth organizational workflow
  • Oversee office administration and ensure compliance with organizational guidelines

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (17)

office administrationoffice administrationThe paperwork processes related to the administrative areas of an office environment. The activities or processes may include financial planning, record keeping and billing and managing the general lo...strategic planningstrategic planningThe elements defining the foundation and core of an organisation such as its mission, vision, values, and objectives.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.programme work according to incoming ordersprogramme work according to incoming ordersSchedule tasks based on incoming work. Anticipate the total amount of resources required to complete the work and assign them accordingly. Assess the required working hours, pieces of equipment, and w...manage administrative systemsmanage administrative systemsEnsure administrative systems, processes and databases are efficient and well managed and give the sound basis to work together with the administrative officer/staff/professional.maintain professional administrationmaintain professional administrationFile and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...consult with business clientsconsult with business clientsCommunicate with clients of a business or business project in order to introduce new ideas, obtain feedback, and find solutions to problems.implement strategic managementimplement strategic managementImplement a strategy for the development and transformation of the company. Strategic management involves the formulation and implementation of the major objectives and initiatives of a company by sen...keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.maintain contract administrationmaintain contract administrationKeep contracts up to date and organise them according to a classification system for future consultation.perform clerical dutiesperform clerical dutiesPerform administrative tasks such as filing, typing up reports and maintaining mail correspondence.identify necessary human resourcesidentify necessary human resourcesDetermine the number of employees needed for the realisation of a project and their allocation in the creation, production, communication or administration team.develop business plansdevelop business plansPlan, write and collaborate in the implement business plans. Include and foresee in the business plan the market strategy, the competitive analysis of the company, the design and the development of th...identify clients' needsidentify clients' needsIdentify the areas in which the client may require aid and investigate the possibilities for meeting those needs.make strategic business decisionsmake strategic business decisionsAnalyse business information and consult directors for decision making purposes in a varied array of aspects affecting the prospect, productivity and sustainable operation of a company. Consider the o...implement strategic planningimplement strategic planningTake action on the goals and procedures defined at a strategic level in order to mobilise resources and pursue the established strategies.
Optional (22) — show
communicationcommunicationThe exchange and conveying of information, ideas, concepts, thoughts, and feelings through the use of a shared system of words, signs, and semiotic rules via a medium.organisational policiesorganisational policiesThe policies to achieve set of goals and targets regarding the development and maintenance of an organisation.facilities management in the organisationfacilities management in the organisationThe principles and methods of facilities management as applied to individual organisations, best practice techniques, management implications of outsourced and in-house services, main types of contrac...contract lawcontract lawThe field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.human resources department processeshuman resources department processesThe different processes, duties, jargon, role in an organisation, and other specificities of the human resources department within an organisation such as recruitment, pension systems, and personnel d...company policiescompany policiesThe set of rules that govern the activity of a company.communication principlescommunication principlesThe set of commonly shared principles in regards with communication such as active listening, establish rapport, adjusting the register, and respecting the intervention of others.apply system organisational policiesapply system organisational policiesImplement internal policies related to the development, internal and external usage of technological systems, such as software systems, network systems and telecommunications systems, in order to achi...apply company policiesapply company policiesApply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.carry out strategic researchcarry out strategic researchResearch long term possibilities for improvements and plan steps to achieve them.coach employeescoach employeesMaintain and improve employees' performance by coaching individuals or groups how to optimise specific methods, skills or abilities, using adapted coaching styles and methods. Tutor newly recruited em...assist in developing practices for well being of employeesassist in developing practices for well being of employeesHelp in policies development, practices and cultures that promote and maintain the physical, mental and social well-being of all workers, in order to prevent sick leave.control financial resourcescontrol financial resourcesMonitor and control budgets and financial resources providing capable stewardship in company management.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.negotiate sales contractsnegotiate sales contractsCome to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.plan facilities management policiesplan facilities management policiesCreate facilities management procedures in line with organisation's strategy, identify appropriate resources and set up key responsibilities and mitigate risks in delivering facilities management obje...negotiate service with providersnegotiate service with providersArrange contracts with providers concerning accommodation, transport and leisure services.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...promote facilities management servicespromote facilities management servicesAssess the market trends and organisations' needs in order to proactively communicate and advertise your facilities management services to future clients.analyse staff capacityanalyse staff capacityEvaluate and identify staffing gaps in quantity, skills, performance revenue and surpluses.budget for financial needsbudget for financial needsObserve the status and availability of funds for the smooth running of projects or operations in order to foresee and estimate the quantity of future financial resources.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a business service manager do?

Business service managers are reponsible for the provision of professional services to companies. They organise the provision of services tailored to the needs of the client and liaise with clients to agree on the contractual obligations for both parties.

What skills does a business service manager need?

A business service manager needs 17 essential skills, including office administration, strategic planning, manage budgets, programme work according to incoming orders, manage administrative systems.

Will AI replace business service manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for business service manager is 64/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: perform clerical duties, keep personal administration, office administration. Most resilient: communication principles, make strategic business decisions, implement strategic management.

AI Replacement Risk

64/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk

This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.

Check your own AI risk
View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupAdministrative and commercial managers
Essential Skills17

What are you missing to work as business service manager?

The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.

Check your gaps