Country Manager job description

Country manager is a key position within a company seeking to develop its international activities. So what does it mean to be a country manager? How do you train for this job? Missions, skills, training... Find out from the IPAG business and management school all the aspects of the country manager job to see if it will become your dream job.

What is a country manager and what is their role?

A country manager, also known as a general manager, area manager or subsidiary general manager, manages a subsidiary of an international company. Their role is to develop and manage a business, adapting the sale of a product or service to the local market.

At the heart of the international sales strategy, the country manager takes on a high level of responsibility to manage all aspects of the subsidiary: business, sales, communications, marketing, human resources, finance, etc. This position falls within the scope of the international trade professions, and requires sound knowledge of the international environment in order to successfully manage the subsidiary's operations.

What are a country manager’s missions?

A country manager’s missions are highly varied, and will depend on the size of the company, whether it's a multinational or a fast-growing start-up. The main mission of this professional is to deploy the subsidiary's global strategy in line with the host country's culture, in order to get a better foothold in the desired market, acquire new customers and increase sales.

To ensure the smooth running of operations, they set the pace of development of the business by defining and monitoring the various objectives in terms of revenue, cash flow and quality. This expert is generally required to manage the recruitment and management of a team of experts at various levels.

As the key contact between the parent company and the subsidiary, the country manager draws up reports on the subsidiary's business performance. To stay at the top of their field, they regularly monitor the competition and keeps abreast of market trends.

What are the skills and qualities of a country manager?

A country manager position requires a wide range of skills and qualities.

The professional skills of a country manager

To carry out their missions successfully, country managers need to have a perfect command of the country market (culture, local market, etc.) to which they are assigned, as well as excellent knowledge of the products and services provided by their company. The job of country manager requires skills in commercial strategies, in the ecosystem of an international company, and good negotiating skills.

Management skills are essential to supervise the team working under them. A very good command of English is required, as well as proficiency in two other languages, which is indispensable for communicating with the parent company and their different colleagues in France and abroad.

The personal qualities of a country manager

From a personal point of view, country managers generally have an entrepreneurial streak and good interpersonal skills. This professional is versatile, flexible and capable of managing several projects at the same time, qualities that are essential for launching and developing a business.

How much does a country manager earn?

Country managers don't really have a junior profile, as recruiters require significant experience (usually at least 5 years).

The average salary for a country manager in Paris is €75,000 a year, but at the start of their career, these professionals earn an average of €45,000 to €60,000 a year. An experienced country manager, with between 5 and 8 years' experience, will earn an average of €70,000 to €90,000 a year, while a senior CM can expect to earn between €90,000 and €130,000 a year.

The country manager's salary also depends on the environment and type of company. Some jobs also offer performance bonuses.

What qualifications are required to become a country manager?

There is no specific training or education required to become a country manager. You'll generally need a 5-year degree from a business or engineering school, or some other university equivalent. Initial experience in the relevant sector of activity is strongly recommended and valued for this type of job.

To acquire the professional skills required for this job, IPAG offers a range of training courses. The master's degree in international management prepares future managers to lead internationalisation projects and manage multicultural teams. After a bachelor's degree, you can also opt for an MBA specialised in International Business Development to acquire a comprehensive knowledge base in international trade and commercial negotiation. The managerial skills you need to shine as a country manager? Numerous IPAG training courses enable you to develop both hard and soft skills, which are essential in today's business environment.