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Manager Definition

A manager is a person responsible for overseeing and directing the activities of a team or department to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

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Last Updated: January 9, 2026

A business needs many elements to succeed. One of the most important elements of a successful business is a good manager — or multiple good managers. 

What is a manager?

manager defined

In the business sector, “manager” can refer to several different positions. That said, the typical manager handles many tasks, including:

  • Overseeing the business finances 
  • Directing, training, and scheduling employees
  • Organizing matters for clients
  • Taking care of administrative needs
  • Obtaining and fulfilling third-party contracts

In short, if there’s a portion of a business that needs oversight, a manager can handle it. An entrepreneur can manage the business on their own, or they can hire someone to do it for them. That manager can manage all of the business needs or just a portion of them, too. Read on for a brief summary of the benefits and drawbacks of hiring a manager.

Hiring a Manager: The Advantages

Time is one of the greatest resources for any business owner. Hiring a manager has benefits, like the ability to delegate many business tasks that fall on the owner’s shoulders to someone else. This can free up an entrepreneur’s time to grow their business and maintain a good work-life balance. Hiring a manager can also be advantageous if a business owner has a lot of talent in coming up with business ideas, but struggles with executing those ideas. Hiring management professionals can help an entrepreneur put their dreams into action. 

Hiring a Manager: The Disadvantages

Hiring a manager might free up time, but it can be hard to find a manager who has the business’s best interests at heart and who knows what they’re doing. An independent manager might not understand the company’s vision or work well with the team. An entrepreneur might have to try a number of different managers before finding the right one. 

Also, hiring an independent manager costs money. Many entrepreneurs are strapped for cash in the early stages of the business, and employing an independent manager could be a strain on the budget. Wise business owners will want to do what they can to hire a manager who’s worth their time and money. However, if the business owner has the patience and ability to effectively vet and collaborate with others, hiring an independent manager can be a great choice.

There are many ways a manager can oversee a business

The manager definition can change based on a company’s needs, but a manager is basically someone who oversees and directs the business. Hiring a manager to supervise and carry out the business needs can save the owners time and reduce stress. However, hiring a manager can be a waste of money and energy if the owner doesn’t choose wisely or set good boundaries. 

A great way to set good boundaries with a manager is to define the manager’s obligations and rights in a written business agreement. If an entrepreneur owns a limited liability company (LLC), this business document is normally called an operating agreement. An operating agreement lets the LLC members write their own rules for how to run their business. If a business owner needs help drafting an agreement with their operating agreement template

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ZenBusiness can help!

In addition to their operating agreement template, ZenBusiness has many business formation services and maintenance products that can make running a business a painless experience. For small fees, ZenBusiness can help entrepreneurs manage their business’s start-up, financial, and compliance needs. They’ve helped 850,000 businesses, so they have the experience to help even the newest business, too. Whether an entrepreneur needs help getting their business off the ground or keeping it afloat, ZenBusiness has services that can help. 

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team

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