Which job duties appear in relevant job postings, and how often? What is required for a leadership position?

Job postings for management positions list all the requirements a company has for a new employee to fill the open position. Job seekers can find all the important information about the open position in these postings, such as:

  • the activities
  • the employer's requirements (previous education, professional experience, personal skills and characteristics)
  • most important information about the company

 

Different job titles:

  • Director
  • Leader
  • Manager
  • Team leader
  • Head of department
  • Director
  • Chief Officer (e.g., Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technology Officer)
  • Executive
  • Senior Manager
  • Junior Manager
  • Vice President (VP)
  • Assistant Director
  • Regional Manager
  • Area Manager
  • Global Director
  • Regional Manager
  • Specific job titles such as Product Manager, Project Manager, Operations Manager, Business Development Manager, Human Resources Manager
  • For executives in the technology industry: Tech Lead, Engineering Manager, Head of IT, Product Owner
  • For executives in the creative field: Creative Director, Art Director, Content Manager, Brand Manager
  • For marketing and sales executives: Marketing Director, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Head of Sales
  • For Finance Executives: Finance Manager, Head of Finance
  • For executives in logistics and production: Supply Chain Manager, Operations Director, Production Manager
  • For executives in the consulting industry: Consulting Director, Managing Consultant, Partner
  • For education leaders: school principals, directors of education, academic directors
  • For healthcare executives: Medical Director, Health Services Manager, Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

 

Distribution of Individual Responsibilities in a Leadership Role:

Strategic Planning and Goal Setting: Managers are often responsible for the long-term direction and strategic planning of the company or department. This includes setting goals, monitoring progress, and adjusting strategies to realize the company’s vision.

 approx. 30% of the time

Team Leadership and Development: One of the main responsibilities of managers is leading teams. This includes hiring and training employees, fostering talent, and creating a positive and productive work environment.

 approx. 25% of the time

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Executives make important decisions every day, both strategic and operational. These decisions may relate to business processes, resource allocation, or crisis management.

approx. 20% of the time

Budgeting and Resource Management: Responsibility for managing budgets and resources is also one of the typical duties of managers. This includes monitoring financial performance and optimizing operational processes.

 approx. 10% of the time
Communication and Stakeholder Management: A manager often must act as an interface between various stakeholder groups, such as employees, customers, business partners, and senior management. Communication takes place both internally and externally and is crucial to the company’s success. approx. 10% of the time

Monitoring and Reporting: Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), preparing reports, and adjusting processes are also part of a manager’s responsibilities. This can take place at various levels and in different areas of the company.

 approx. 5% of the time

Requirements Listed in Job Postings for Leadership Positions

The duties and requirements described here are based on an analysis of relevant job postings on various Swiss job platforms and are intended to give you an idea of what a leadership role entails. The qualifications and responsibilities may vary depending on the employer, industry, and specific job description.

Professional requirements
  • Completed basic education or studies
  • Management training
  • Industry-specific knowledge
  • Professional experience
Expertise for Leadership Roles
  • Experience in managing employees
  • Knowledge of coaching and mentoring
  • Oral and Written Communication
  • Digital skills
  • Industry-Specific Software
  • Proficiency in German and Foreign Languages
Personal characteristics
  • Decision-making ability
  • Negotiating skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Strategic thinking
  • Reliability and a sense of responsibility
  • Empathy and the ability to work well with others
  • Flexibility and resilience
Miscellaneous Leadership Job
  • Building and maintaining relationships: Especially in large companies or in international leadership roles, executives are expected to have a strong professional network and to actively build business relationships.
  • Coaching and Mentoring: Good leaders should be able to coach and mentor their employees to support their professional development and help them thrive in their roles.
  • Delegation: Knowing how to effectively delegate tasks and assign responsibility to the team is an essential skill. This allows you to distribute the workload while strengthening trust in the team.
  • Prioritization: Leaders must learn to prioritize tasks and use their time efficiently in order to successfully manage both operational and strategic tasks.

Useful Information on Job Search and Applications

Are you looking to advance your career or seeking a new challenge? Compare different job postings to find out what responsibilities, qualifications, and experience are required for leadership roles. This will help you better assess which positions match your profile and whether targeted continuing education, further training is worth pursuing for your next career move.

Schools that offer training for leadership positions