Company directors, also known as managing directors, are responsible for making key management decisions which affect the daily running of a business as well as understanding the legal obligations of a company. This includes the day-to-day financial and business operations of the company and ensuring that all obligations to the shareholders are met.

Some UK company director’s responsibilities include: 

The responsibilities of the director of a company are varied and often depend on the number of directors and the sector within which the business operates. 

The responsibilities, however, will be laid out in the company director’s job description for that organisation. However, company directors at all levels and in all industries need to be confident in taking on considerable responsibility for decisions which affect the company.

In order to secure the senior management level position of a Company Director, you will need to have some qualifications. The key areas to have qualifications in include business, management, governance and leadership. 

Most company directors hold an undergraduate degree, and many hold a master’s degree, often in a related field such as a Communications or Business degree or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

However, there are no specific qualifications needed for a career as a company director, so if you do not have a degree or a relevant degree, then you do not need to worry about heading back into student life just yet. 

Online courses in Management or Governance can be a fantastic way to open up your career opportunities and build a strong resume for company director roles. When you study a course in corporate Governance, you will learn several key skills needed for the director of a company, including how to manage a business, techniques for strategic planning and the legal and ethical responsibilities of senior management in a company.

There are several skills needed in order to become a successful company director. Some of the key skills you will need in this profession include: 

If you do not already have these skills, then you can study an online course in Management or Leadership to help you gain the knowledge and develop the skills which are essential to this role. Studying these courses will help you demonstrate competency in key areas so that you can secure a full-time job as a company director.

Gaining real-world experience is also important for anyone looking to become a company director, as skills such as communication are easier to develop when working with others. Find out more about the work experience you might need as a company director below.

There is no set amount of work experience that a company director needs. However, the vast majority of directors have a few years of experience working in business or management roles. 

If you are working in a junior or supervisory role, consider getting additional training and working towards a promotion to a position with more responsibility and, ultimately, directorship. The more experience and skills you can gain in business management, decision-making, finance, business law and leadership, the better. 

If you do not have experience in business, consider exploring relevant voluntary roles or entry-level positions. Several charities often require volunteers to assist with the management of business accounts and overseeing day-to-day operations, and many administration jobs have the potential to work your way up. 

When you do manage to work your way into more senior positions, work on building a network of investors and industry mentors in order to help you find and secure a company director role. You might find yourself working your way up to a non-executive director role before a company director position.

Working as a company director is a highly regarded role which comes with a lot of skills and responsibility. Therefore, as a company director, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore senior management positions across all industries, including company director roles. 

If you are elected by the board of directors and shareholders, you could also work your way up to becoming the CEO of a company. There is also the opportunity to specialise in areas and become a specialised director, e.g. partnerships director.

A career as a company director comes with many benefits and lots of responsibilities, but it may just be a dream job for you. If you have excellent management skills and a keen interest in business, see how you can kick-start your career as a company director today and reap the benefits of this highly rewarding career.