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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a planning manager. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a planning manager.

 

Who is a Planning Manager?

A planning manager is in charge of developing operational strategies for the companies that employ them. Planning managers conduct research and analyze previously gathered data and information on the company’s performance and activities. These reports are used to determine the most profitable and realistic course of action, conduct environmental studies, and ensure that production complies with applicable regulations.

A planning manager is a detail-oriented person who is passionate about innovation. As a planning manager, you will be responsible for high-profile assignments, often multiple ones at once, so working well under pressure is essential. People will look to you for advice on a variety of legal and technical issues, so you must possess great analytical and communication skills.

 

Planning Manager Job Description

Below are the planning manager job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

A planning manager is typically responsible for a wide range of tasks, which may include:

• Examine project plans and proposals to ensure they adhere to industry standards and specifications.
• Plan and manage the work of other planning managers on staff, or direct management of junior planning managers.
• Monitor budgets, schedules, and other key performance indicators to ensure that projects are progressing as planned.
• Manage multiple projects at the same time, and ensure that each one meets its objectives on time and within budget.
• Coordinate and prioritize other team members’ work to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Prepare a project scope statement, which includes major milestones and tasks, deliverables, and project team members.
• Estimate how long each step will take and how much it will cost to complete the project.
• Lead client meetings to discuss project details and requirements, as well as to answer project-related questions.
• Create and implement strategies that team members will use throughout a project.
• Execute and manage complex and sensitive professional planning, research, and analysis projects.
• Monitor and ensure that local, state, and federal laws are followed.
• Supervise specialized planning functions like large-scale new development proposals and environmental studies.
• Assist in the overall management of divisional planning issues.
• Provide planning-related advice to the Planning Director.
• Provide planning advice to various councils, boards, commissions, and elected officials.
• Assist the Planning Commission by acting as a liaison and performing all necessary functions.
• Assign work to professionals and ensure that they receive appropriate training.
• Evaluate assigned responsibilities’ operations and activities.
• Prepare reports on operations and activities, and make recommendations for improvements and changes.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration, as well as budget monitoring and control.

 

Qualifications

A planning manager should typically have the following qualifications.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field is required to work as a planning manager. Candidates with a master’s degree in business administration or a related field are preferred by some employers. Business management, finance, accounting, economics, statistics, and marketing are all relevant courses.

Experience and training: During their first few months on the job, planning managers typically receive on-the-job training. This training could include learning about the company’s policies and procedures, as well as the software and technology that they use. Shadowing a current planning manager or another member of the management team may also be part of the training process.

Licenses and certifications: Certifications are not required for planning managers to obtain their position, but they can increase their earning potential by obtaining professional certifications.

 

Essential Skills

To be successful, planning managers must possess the following abilities:

1. Excellent time management skills: The ability to meet deadlines and goals is referred to as time management. As a planning manager, you may be in charge of simultaneously planning and supervising the completion of multiple projects. Strong time management skills can assist you in effectively managing multiple projects and ensuring that each project is completed on time.
2. Financial modeling knowledge: The ability to create and interpret financial statements is referred to as financial modeling. Financial models are frequently used by planning managers to forecast future revenue, expenses, and cash flow for projects or organizations. This ability can assist them in making informed decisions about budgets, investments, and other business matters. It also enables them to objectively evaluate their plans by comparing predicted outcomes to actual results.
3. Excellent organizational skills: The ability to keep track of multiple tasks and projects at the same time is referred to as “organization.” Planning managers must be organized because they frequently have multiple responsibilities. This ensures that they complete their work on time and remember all of the details associated with each task or project. Being an effective planner necessitates the ability to manage your time effectively. Planning managers with strong organizational skills can effectively prioritize their workload and focus on the most important tasks first.
4. Understanding of risk management: The ability to identify potential challenges and develop strategies to overcome them is referred to as risk management. When developing project plans, planning managers frequently use risk management to consider what could go wrong and how they would address those issues. This can assist planners in developing more effective plans that are less likely to fail.
5. Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is referred to as flexibility. When unexpected events occur, you may need to shift your priorities or change your schedule as a planning manager. Flexibility can help you adjust quickly and keep your team productive. You can also use flexibility when making project plans by leaving room for changes if necessary.
6. Project management Skills: Planning managers must have project management skills because they frequently oversee multiple projects at the same time. Assigning tasks to team members, monitoring the progress of each task, and ensuring that all deadlines are met are all part of this process. Strong project management skills can assist a planning manager in ensuring the success of their company’s projects.
7. Ability to make sound decisions: A planning manager must make decisions about the projects that they supervise. They must decide which projects to accept, how much time and resources to devote to each project, and how to complete them. They must also make critical decisions throughout the course of a project, such as whether to change strategies or stick with an existing plan.
8. Business Acumen: Business acumen is the ability to comprehend financial data and its implications for a company’s success. Planning managers frequently work with budgets, revenue projections, and other financial data that necessitate business knowledge. This skill set enables you to make informed decisions about projects and initiatives that may have an impact on the bottom line of your organization.
9. SWOT analysis: A SWOT analysis is a planning tool that can assist you in identifying your organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. When developing an action plan for your projects, it is critical to consider all of these factors. A thorough SWOT analysis can assist you in developing effective strategies and making informed decisions about your company’s future.
10. Excellent communication skills: Communication is an important skill for planning managers to have because they frequently work with groups of people and must relay information. This can include communicating with clients about project details or explaining why certain decisions were made. Planning managers with strong communication skills can collaborate more effectively with their team members and ensure that everyone understands what is expected of them.
11. Excellent problem-solving abilities: The ability to identify and resolve issues that may arise during a project is referred to as problem-solving. When creating project plans, planning managers frequently use problem-solving skills because they must consider potential challenges and how their team can overcome them. For example, if you’re planning an event, you might consider what could go wrong and plan solutions ahead of time.
12. Forecasting Abilities: The ability to predict future trends and events is known as forecasting. When creating project plans, planning managers use forecasting skills because they need to know what might happen in the future so they can prepare accordingly. For example, if a planning manager anticipates that an upcoming project will necessitate more resources than usual, they can plan ahead of time by requesting those resources.
13. Understanding of PESTEL analysis: The process of evaluating a company’s external and internal factors to determine its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is known as PESTEL analysis. You can use PESTEL analysis as a planning manager to assess your organization’s current state and forecast future trends. You can then devise strategies to assist your company in overcoming obstacles and capitalizing on opportunities.
14. Excellent budgeting skills: Budgeting is the process of developing financial objectives for a business. Budgets for projects and departments are created by planning managers using their budgeting skills. This includes estimating costs, determining revenue sources, and forecasting future expenses. A planning manager with strong budgeting abilities can assist in keeping a company’s finances in order.
15. Excellent Analytical Skills: The ability to examine data and draw logical conclusions is referred to as analytical skills. As a planning manager, you may be required to analyze data about your company’s sales, production levels, customer demographics, and other factors that can assist you in developing effective growth strategies. Your analytical skills can also come in handy when evaluating new technologies or processes that have the potential to increase productivity or reduce costs.
16. Excellent leadership abilities: The ability to motivate and guide a team toward achieving goals is referred to as leadership. Planning managers frequently lead project teams of planners, analysts, and engineers. Strong leadership skills can help you effectively delegate tasks, encourage your team members to learn new skills, and inspire them to succeed. You can also use leadership skills to train employees in planning roles so that they can eventually take on supervisory roles.
17. Capabilities in Strategic Planning: The ability to create and implement plans that align with organizational goals is referred to as strategic planning. Strategic planning skills are frequently used by planning managers to develop company-wide initiatives such as cost reduction or increased productivity. Strategic planners apply these abilities when developing individual projects for their teams. They can assist employees in understanding how completing a task now will benefit them later.
18. Technical Writing Skills: Technical writing is a writing style that involves taking high-level details and explaining them in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. This style of writing is used by planning managers when drafting potential deliverables, circulating memos, targeting product releases, or sending news updates.
19. Excellent Reporting Skills: A planning manager must be able to gather information about a project and report it for future evaluation. This is especially important if a project begins to encounter difficulties. Planning managers must be able to report to coordinate with managers, clients, and team members to set expectations, and objectives, and communicate information about deliverables.
20. Interpersonal skills: Self-confidence, relationship management, and collaboration skills are examples of interpersonal skills. The ability to collaborate well as part of a team allows the team to work more productively and efficiently on the project. Relationship management skills are also necessary because they allow the planning manager to develop and maintain relationships with clients, vendors, and team members. The right level of self-confidence can also boost team confidence, increasing morale and allowing for better performance.

 

How to Become a Planning Manager

Here are some steps you should take to advance your career as a planning manager.

1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field: The minimum educational requirement for this position is a bachelor’s degree. A major in business administration or management can give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in a strategic planning role. Marketing, finance, economics, organizational behavior, and other business-related subjects may be covered in class.

It is critical to select a program that includes courses in data analysis, project management, and other relevant topics. If you want to advance your career even further, you should consider pursuing an advanced degree such as an MBA.

2. Develop your skills in strategic planning, project management, and data analysis: Getting experience is essential for becoming a planning manager. You can begin by working in entry-level positions in a company’s strategic planning department. These positions frequently involve data analysis and the creation of reports for executives to use when making decisions about the company’s future.

You could also work as a project manager, where you are in charge of overseeing the development of products or services from beginning to end. This position will provide you with experience managing teams and ensuring that all aspects of a project run smoothly.

3. Sharpen your analytical abilities: To make informed decisions, planning managers must be able to analyze data and trends. They must also be able to identify opportunities for growth and devise strategies to capitalize on them. You will need strong analytical skills to see the big picture and understand how all the pieces fit together to do this.

You might want to consider taking business analysis courses or reading books to help you hone these skills. To gain more experience, you should also practice your analytical skills by working with spreadsheets and databases.

4. Be familiar with financial concepts and principles: Financial concepts and principles must be well understood by planning managers. To make informed decisions about where to direct resources, they must be able to analyze data from the company’s financial statements, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets. Planning executives should also understand how debt financing works and how it affects cash flow.
5. Be able to create models and simulations using software programs: Many businesses use software to create models and simulations that aid in decision-making. Planning managers in these types of businesses must be able to use the software programs provided by their employers. They may also be required to learn new programs as technology evolves.

Microsoft Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Project are some of the most common software programs used by planning managers.

6. Keep up with changes in the business world: The business world is constantly changing, and planners must keep up with these changes. New laws or regulations, for example, may have an impact on how businesses operate. New technologies are also being developed that have the potential to change the way businesses operate.

Planning managers must be aware of what is going on in their industries. They should read industry publications and online news sites to stay up to date on developments in their respective fields.

7. Become a member of a professional organization, such as the American Management Association (AMA): The American Management Association (AMA) is a professional organization that provides managers from all industries with training and development opportunities. Membership in the AMA can help you stay current on business management trends, learn how to implement new strategies in your role, and network with other professionals who share your interests. The AMA also publishes books and articles on management practices and techniques, which you can use to hone your skills.

 

Where to Work as a Planning Manager

A planning manager’s work environment is typically in an office setting, though travel may be required for some positions. Planning managers typically work a standard 40-hour week, though they may be required to work overtime on occasion to meet deadlines. Planning managers are frequently under pressure to meet deadlines and budget constraints, which can make the job stressful. However, the majority of planning managers find their jobs to be both challenging and rewarding.

 

Planning Manager Salary Scale

In the United States, the average planning manager’s salary is $110,000 per year or $52.88 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $86,936 per year, with the most experienced workers earning up to $148,122 per year.

In the United Kingdom, the average planning manager salary is £47,500 per year or £24.36 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at £39,489 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to £65,000 per year.

In Canada, the average planning manager’s salary is $94,878 per year or $48.66 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $80,510 per year, with the most experienced workers earning up to $117,861 per year.

In Ireland, the average planning manager’s salary is € 70 000 per year or € 35.90 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions start at € 55 000 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to € 94 308 per year.

In Australia, the average planning manager’s salary is $138,965 per year or $71.26 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions start at $121,697 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $155,568 per year.

The average Planning Manager salary in Germany is €93,644, with a salary range of €75,749 to €111,530.

In Nigeria, a Planning manager can expect to earn around 412,000 NGN per month.

Consulting and Strategy

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