How To Become a Management Analyst
How To Become a Management Analyst
Start your GCU
journey today.
journey today.
Management analysts constitute the driving force behind the optimization of organizational efficiency and effectiveness. They work with senior management to identify growth opportunities through evaluations of company processes and operations. Using the data from these evaluations, management analysts present ways to increase profit and maximize performance.
Number of jobs expected to open for management analysts, per year, from 2024 to 20341
To successfully guide business decisions, management analysts need to be proficient in both soft and technical skills, as these professionals spend a lot of time interpreting and conveying information and speaking with organizational leaders.
Management analysts need skills in:
Problem-solving
Interpersonal communications
Time-management
Data analysis and interpretation
Active listening
Critical thinking
Degrees designed for management analysts help prepare graduates for the workforce through a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. The curriculum can support you in gaining foundational knowledge in the field and provide practical opportunities to apply that knowledge.
If you want to become a management analyst, consider the following degree programs:
These programs can help you develop foundational knowledge in business-related competencies. Each program focuses on a different area of business, including administration, management and analytics.
A master’s in business administration (MBA) can support your career goal of becoming a management analyst, as some roles may require applicants to hold an MBA.3 These programs offer an in-depth exploration of the competencies expected of business leaders.
Explore specialized Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs designed to develop advanced leadership, analytical and strategic skills. Each program offers a quantitative or qualitative research focus.
Explore these blogs to learn more about important topics for management analysts and how GCU can help you reach your career goals.
Business analysts need many important skills, including attention to detail, problem-solving and communication. Learn more about the importance of these soft and technical skills for business analyst careers.
If you are interested becoming a data analyst or data scientist, explore the differences in their responsibilities, career pathways and skills.
The field of business information systems (BIS) combines information technology, computer science and project management to support decision-making. Learn more about how companies can leverage BIS to improve efficiency.
25 Matching Degrees
GCU’s Colangelo College of Business offers numerous degrees to help you prepare for a career as a management analyst. Gain skills and knowledge for today’s competitive business landscape.
As management analysts grow in their skills and abilities, they may be interested in advancement opportunities. Those who have gained years of experience can often take on more responsibilities than an entry-level analyst. As a senior-level management analyst, you can supervise teams that handle more involved or complicated projects. Some senior-level analysts work to find new clients and may become a partner at their companies.3
The responsibilities of a management analyst can vary depending on the industry they work in and the specific details of their contract. For example, they might be hired by an organization specifically to lower employee turnover rates, or to focus their efforts on recommending new technology to streamline workflow.
A management analyst carries out job responsibilities such as:
Presenting recommended changes
Management analysts must present the uncovered issues and their proposed solutions to a team of stakeholders. This entails sharing their expertise and explaining why they believe the proposed strategic changes will improve their organization.
Conducting data analysis
Management analysts look at various forms of data, such as revenue, expenses, employment reports, supply chain metrics and conversion rates. This process informs their action plan regarding which areas should be prioritized for improvement.
There are many types of degrees that can help prepare graduates to work as a management analyst, though the most relevant fields of study are business, social science and engineering.3 To determine the best degree for your unique career goals, think about what industry you want to work in and whether you would benefit from a specialization in a specific subject area.
Degrees relevant to management analyst careers may cover topics such as:
Foundations in business administration
Fundamentals of finance and accounting
Developing solutions
After conducting analyses, the next step is to develop solutions to the discovered problems. These solutions may include organizational restructuring, automation strategies and cost-reduction.
Monitoring progress
The monitoring stage is an important step in the process, as it allows management analysts to determine whether their strategies are working or whether they need to be revisited and improved.
Meeting with stakeholders
The first step of analyzing an organization involves meeting with leadership teams and employees to determine what problems need to be addressed.
Marketing and customer engagement
Ethical and legal issues in business
Organizational management and behavior
Business and data analytics
Becoming a management analyst requires a mix of formal education, analytical skills and professional experience. These professionals typically hold degrees in business, finance or related fields and build expertise through hands-on work in management or consulting roles.
Earning a high school diploma is an important step in the journey to becoming a management analyst. Courses in business, economics and psychology can help prepare you with foundational knowledge that you can carry with you as you earn a college degree.
Employers typically require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level management analyst positions.2 A business degree can help prepare you with skills in human resources management, accounting, finance and organizational behavior. Developing confidence in these areas can support your goals of overseeing organizational change.
Some employers prefer management analysts to have a master’s degree in business administration.3 These programs focus on more advanced business skills, such as leadership, operational efficiency, statistical analysis and sustainability. GCU’s MBA programs offer emphases for students who wish to tailor their degree to a specific industry.
Internships can provide valuable experience for management analysts. Completing an internship can help you understand what happens behind the scenes in organizations and how analysts work to make improvements. You will typically complete tasks under the supervision of an experienced professional and receive feedback on how to improve your work.
Due to the nature of the role, most management analysts have multiple years of work experience in their field.3 Management analysts should have expertise in their specific industry and be able to demonstrate their capability to identify problems and develop solutions. For example, tax firms may favor individuals with backgrounds in accounting or auditing, while tech companies may look for candidates who have experience working as computer systems analysts.3
Earning a professional certification, such as the Certified Management Consultant (CDC) credential offered by the Institute of Management Consultants, can help you boost your resume and potentially stand out from other applicants.4 Earning a certification can support your dedication to ongoing learning and show employers that you are knowledgeable about your field.
Some management analysts are employed by a single organization while others work as self-employed consultants on a contract basis.5 They often split their time between working in a personal office and visiting the organizations they work for. Those with multiple contracts at one time may spend a significant amount of time traveling between different job sites.
Management analysts work for employers across various industries, such as:
Professional, scientific and technical services
Management analysts strive to improve workflows and recommend improvements that foster growth and innovation.
Government agencies
Some government agencies rely on management analysts to determine the effectiveness of programs, funding strategies and policies.
Finance and insurance
Management analysts working in the finance and insurance sector analyze financial data and ensure that proper plans are in place for regulatory compliance.
Healthcare services
Management analysts work to improve record systems, set up billing systems and implement IT systems.
Computer technology
In technology sectors, management analysts develop new strategies for pursuing growth in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Median annual wage for management analysts in May 20246
Estimated job growth for management analysts from 2024 to 20341