A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a valuable qualification in today’s competitive job market, equipping graduates with a versatile set of practical skills in leadership, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a valuable qualification in today’s competitive job market, equipping graduates with a versatile set of practical skills in leadership, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship.
While a bachelor’s degree was once enough for many career paths, the market has moved on. Employers now seek candidates with advanced business knowledge, strategic thinking and adaptability that an MBA signals.
It’s not just anecdotal evidence that suggests MBA graduates are in high demand. With a turbulent global economy, the demand for leaders with strong business acumen has never been more critical.
The MBA curriculum is designed to meet these needs, blending traditional subjects like accounting, project management and global business with modern areas such as digital marketing, business analytics and leadership development.
If you’re still wondering if an MBA is the right choice, here are some top MBA jobs to inspire your next step.
Can an MBA help me get a job?
In short, yes. An MBA equips graduates with skills beyond technical expertise, often serving as a fast-track to career success. It’s a strong differentiator for ambitious applicants seeking senior and specialised roles across multiple industries.
An MBA signals to employers a commitment to professional development and a serious approach to career growth. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) report, MBA graduates are highly sought after, with recruiters citing communication skills, strategic thinking and versatility as key advantages.
Top MBA jobs
An MBA can prepare graduates for a wide array of careers that span across industries. Here are some of the top jobs available for MBA graduates.
Entrepreneur / Business owner
Entrepreneurs and business owners can use an MBA to enhance their strategic, financial and leadership capabilities, empowering them to start, manage and grow various types of businesses – from tech startups to service-based enterprises and every endeavour in between.
Entrepreneur responsibilities
While responsibilities vary by business type, they often include:
- Developing and executing business plans, including market research
- Product and service creation, such as designing solutions for tech founders
- Building and managing teams
- Implementing marketing and sales strategies
- Managing finances and fundraising
- Identifying growth opportunities and strategic partnerships
- Reporting to stakeholders and leading teams effectively
Entrepreneur / business owner salary
Earnings for entrepreneurs and business owners vary greatly by industry and business success. Payscale reports that MBA graduates in entrepreneurship in Australia average around $150,000 per year – but self-employed entrepreneurs have the potential to earn significantly more, even into the millions.
IT project manager
Data intelligence has evolved from a bonus to an essential business asset, making IT project managers more crucial than ever. This role suits MBA graduates to switch both technical expertise and project leadership skills.
IT project manager responsibilities
- Defining project goals, scope and deliverables
- Managing project timelines and budgets
- Coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Identifying and mitigating project risks
- Ensuring quality control and project success
IT project manager salary
According to Seek.com, IT project managers in Australia earn an average of $140,000 - $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location and project complexity.
Health services manager
Want your MBA to have a positive impact on the world? You could find yourself working in business management in the healthcare sector. A career in services management for a hospital, health centre or nursing home relies on business skills and requires a human touch.
Health services manager responsibilities
A health services manager’s responsibilities typically include:
- Creating and executing operational plans for the organisation
- Developing and implementing relevant policies and procedures
- Leading, managing and ensuring the ongoing welfare of staff, including recruiting and managing rosters
- Leading ongoing initiatives to improve patient care
- Managing budgets and preparing relevant financial and operational reports
Health services manager salary
According to Seek.com, the average annual salary for health manager jobs in Australia ranges from $105,000 - $125,000.
Group accountant
Group accountants manage the consolidation of financial reports for parent companies and subsidiaries, ensuring accuracy and compliance. An MBA provides the strategic financial management and global business knowledge needed to align financial reporting with broader business goals.
This degree also strengthens leadership and communication skills for effective team coordination.
Group accountant responsibilities
- Preparing financial statements for parent and subsidiary companies
- Ensuring accurate consolidation and financial reporting
- Advising on tax and regulatory requirements
- Coordinating with external auditors to facilitate the annual audit process
- Monitoring and analysing financial performance, identifying areas for improvement
Group accountant salary
Seek.com reports that the average annual group accountant salary in Australia ranges between $105,000 - $125,000, depending on location, experience and the industry you work in. Having an MBA can help you negotiate an even higher salary.
Data manager
The Australian Tax Office is always looking for MBA graduates with a flair for financial, data and information management.
Data managers help build and manage systems to analyse and administer large volumes of data for reporting and compliance. For graduates with financial backgrounds and knowledge, this could be a great MBA job option.
Data manager responsibilities
A data manager’s responsibilities typically include:
- Ensuring that data management policies comply with privacy and other relevant laws
- Developing programs and systems that enable the collection of accurate data
- Managing cyber security risks and ensuring that data is housed securely
- Analysing and interpreting large amounts of data to identify patterns and relationships
- Reporting on the outcomes of data analysis
Data manager salary
According to Seek.com, data managers in Australia have an average annual salary of around $120,000 - $140,000.
Finance manager
MBA graduates gain a strong understanding of business and finance, and one area where their skills are in high demand is in organisations’ finance departments. Businesses are always looking for talented data-led employees with strong business acumen to lead their finance teams.
Finance manager responsibilities
A finance manager’s responsibilities typically include:
- Collating, interpreting and reviewing financial data
- Using data to predict future financial trends
- Producing financial reports for stakeholders and providing advice on how finances may impact future decisions
- Developing short- and long-term business plans
- Reviewing and reporting on financial risks
Finance manager salary
Finance managers in Australia earn an average annual salary of approximately $107,000 as of November 2024, according to Payscale.
Human resources manager
Understanding how to manage people is a crucial part of the Master of Business Administration curriculum. With an MBA degree, you can gather valuable work experience in a human resources management position. HR management positions can add a new skill set to your resume.
Human resources manager responsibilities
A human resources manager’s responsibilities typically include:
- Creating and executing an HR strategy, including recruitment, performance, engagement and succession planning
- Managing talent acquisition, including employer branding, recruitment, interviewing and job role creation
- Managing talent development, including understanding training needs and, sourcing and creating training programs
- Managing performance, including remuneration and benefits
- Understanding and managing industrial relations and employment laws and contracts
Human resources manager salary
Reports from Seek.com show that human resources managers in Australia earn an average annual salary of about $120,000 - $140,000.
Management consultant
MBA graduates have valuable knowledge and skills to share with others. Becoming a consultant means providing advice to business professionals, from managers at large companies to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
With insider insights gained from their degrees, these graduates are well-equipped to help clients navigate their next big opportunities.
Management consultant responsibilities
- Engaging with clients on a project’s scope and the areas of proposed analysis and improvement
- Facilitating workshops and discussions with clients to elaborate on the problems to be solved
- Defining a problem and researching possible solutions
- Performing analysis, including quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Consolidating and presenting findings
Management consultant salary
According to Payscale, management consultants in Australia have an average annual salary of approximately $97,000.
Operations manager
While an MBA can lead to a career with a big corporation, it’s also an excellent qualification for people working in nonprofits, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or the public sector.
MBA graduates are well-equipped to manage financial operations and can manage the business operations of any organisation at any scale.
Operations manager responsibilities
An operations manager’s responsibilities typically include:
- Overseeing company operations, including operational management systems, processes and activities
- Managing resources, including purchasing materials, overseeing staff and managing warehouses and offices
- Ensuring the organisation remains legally compliant
- Creating and managing a strategic operational and financial plan to improve profitability
- Managing quality control
Operations manager salary
According to Seek.com, operations managers in Australia earn an average annual salary of approximately $110,000 - $130,000.
Marketing manager
Being a marketing manager could put you behind some of the world's biggest, most exciting brands. To succeed in marketing, you’ll need to be proficient in information technology, financial management and business operations. You’ll also need a creative flair.
Marketing manager responsibilities
A marketing manager’s responsibilities typically include:
- Promoting a business, product or service
- Creating a marketing strategy
- Creating and executing marketing campaigns
- Ensuring that the company is communicating the right messages to attract and retain customers
- Managing stakeholder relationships, including with cross-functional groups and senior leadership
Marketing manager salary
According to Payscale, marketing managers in Australia have an average annual salary range between $60,000 - $130,000, with a median of $86,000.
Customer experience manager
Customer experience (CX) managers focus on how customers interact with a product or service. They also work closely with the marketing manager to d eliver what customers need. MBA graduates with a well-honed understanding of the product they represent can be great candidates for customer experience manager roles.
Customer experience manager responsibilities
A customer experience manager’s responsibilities typically include:
- Discovering and leading initiatives to consistently improve the customer experience
- Optimising customer retention, including increasing overall customer satisfaction
- Mapping the customer journey and identifying ways to proactively improve touchpoints
- Developing plans to survey customers throughout their journey, and collate and report on the results
- Identifying opportunities for continuous reporting on and improvement of the customer journey
Customer experience manager salary
Customer experience managers in Australia earn an average salary of $83,000 according to Payscale.
Achieve your career goals with an MBA
As global trends and technologies reshape the business landscape, the demand for talented, innovative leaders is stronger than ever.
An MBA is your gateway to a wide range of career opportunities across industries, equipping you with the skills needed to navigate complex challenges and drive success. The journey to these rewarding roles begins with choosing the right qualifications.
SCU Online offers a 100% online MBA course tailored for future leaders. The degree offers specialisations in accounting, health management, and managing and leading people.
Each course is designed to refine your business acumen and enhance practical leadership skills, empowering you to achieve your career aspirations and make an impact in your chosen field.
Become a leader in the business world with an MBA from SCU Online. Speak to one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 863 819.
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