Management

Management is about setting direction and coordinating people to achieve an organisation’s goals. This includes balancing priorities like profitability, sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility.

To succeed, managers need to lead and inspire others, understand how organisations are structured and operate, and navigate ethical, legal, and cultural challenges. They also need to plan, measure performance, and adapt quickly in a world shaped by rapid change, advancing technology, and global uncertainty.

Effective management also relies on strong decision-making and communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems. Collaboration and stakeholder engagement are essential, especially in diverse and cross-functional teams.

Studying management opens doors to a wide range of careers—from startups and corporates to government and not-for-profits.

• Management is being redefined by global change, requiring a rethink of traditional ways of organising and leading.
• Flatter organisational structures demand collaborative, cross-functional leadership.
• Flexible and hybrid work models require trust-based management and digital fluency.
• Continuous personal and professional development is essential to keep pace with change.
• Diversity of people and perspectives is critical in decision-making and governance.
• Soft skills like empathy, communication, creativity, and resilience are central to effective leadership.
• AI and emerging technologies are transforming how managers make decisions and operate.

• Managers must understand and leverage technologies like AI, automation, and data analytics to drive innovation, manage privacy, and support evolving roles and skills in the workplace.
• Beyond assessing for critical thinking and creativity, managers will need to actively develop these skills in themselves and their teams to navigate complexity and change.
• Managing diverse, cross-generational, and cross-cultural teams—often across time zones and employment types—requires cultural intelligence and flexibility.
• With hybrid and remote work now mainstream, the focus is shifting from hours and location to results, impact, and accountability.
• Future managers will lead through influence rather than authority, working “alongside” others in flatter, more networked structures.
• Emotional intelligence now includes supporting mental health, psychological safety, and purpose-driven work in increasingly complex environments.

• An in-depth understanding of management concepts, theories and practices, especially those related to strategy, motivation and leadership and organisational behaviour
• Critical and strategic thinking
• Problem solving
• Written and oral communication skills
• Technological literacy
• Commercial and business awareness
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Planning and organisational skills
• A commitment to ongoing learning

The ability to manage people and processes is relevant for most careers. Some specific roles include:

• Business Development Adviser
• Business Consultant
• Business Researcher or Academic
• Change Management Specialist
• Client Services Adviser
• Employment Analyst
• Entrepreneur / Startup Founder
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing Adviser
• Human Resources Coordinator / Analyst / Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Operations Assistant / Manager
• Project Manager
• Public Policy Analyst
• Recruitment Consultant
• Sales Manager
• Team Leader / Supervisor
  

These are just a few career examples—don’t feel limited to them. Some roles may require several years of work experience, additional study, or certifications, especially in academic or specialist fields.

Remember, many employers welcome graduates from a wide range of degree backgrounds. And if you have big ideas of your own, you might consider developing and managing a start-up in the entrepreneurial space.

Social media platforms like LinkedIn can also help you stay up to date with industry trends, events, and job opportunities.

Management graduates can find work in almost every sector, in New Zealand and around the world. The following list is by no means exhaustive:

• Agribusiness 
• Banking and Financial Services
• Entertainment and Media
• Healthcare and Insurance 
• Human Resources and Recruitment 
• Information Technology Companies 
• Manufacturing 
• New Business Start-ups and Entrepreneurial Ventures
• Not-for-Profit Organisations
• Professional Services 
• Public Sector and Local Government 
• Retail and Customer Services
• Telecommunications 
• Tertiary Education
• Tourism 
• Transport and Logistics

University of Auckland Case Club (UACC)

University of Auckland Case Club (previously known as Management Consulting Club) is one of the largest clubs on campus with over 700 paid members. Each year, UACC organises dozens of competitions and events that give students an opportunity to learn about business and apply their skills in a practical setting. UACC also acts as a selection trial for the Business School case competition squads.  Learn more

More clubs and societies at the Business School

Depending on your area of interest, you could join one or more of these professional organisations:

• New Zealand Institute of Management and Leadership
• Human Resources Institute of New Zealand
• New Zealand Chambers of Commerce
• The Project Management Institute New Zealand
• Institute of Directors

Careers New Zealand

The Careers New Zealand website provides useful salary information for a range of business and industry roles, as well as information on the difference a qualification makes to what you are paid, and advice on negotiating your salary. You can also search for salary information by job.
Careers New Zealand

Prospects

Prospects specialises in advice for UK university students and graduates. Much of the information is relevant to New Zealand students.
Prospects