Studying the science and psychology behind leadership and its application to improve organizations can benefit professionals in many fields. Organizational leadership jobs and career paths call for leaders with strong interpersonal, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills, all of which professionals can develop through the online Master of Arts (MA) in Organizational Leadership program from Florida Institute of Technology.
Let’s take a look at a few examples of career possibilities in a variety of fields and industries for graduates of a master’s in organizational leadership degree program. All job information, growth and salary figures reflect data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Organizational Leadership Careers in Human Resources
Leading diverse teams, managing talent and resolving conflict are among the topics covered in an MA in organizational leadership curriculum. These are also critical skills for a variety of human resources professions.
Training and development manager
Training and development managers create and implement programs to improve the knowledge and skills of an organization’s employees. These professionals are also responsible for aligning training with the organization’s goals, and maintaining the budget, staff and materials for training programs.
Training and development managers may collaborate with experts in the field through social media and other online forums. They often supervise program developers, training and development specialists, instructional designers and instructors to ensure training methods and content are effective.
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- Median annual wage: $127,090 as of 2024
- Job growth: 7% from 2023 to 2033
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Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers are responsible for the administrative functions of an organization, including recruiting, interviewing and hiring new employees, and overseeing services such as payroll, benefits and training. HR managers often serve as the liaison between the management team and employees.
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- Median annual wage: $140,030 as of 2024
- Job growth: 6% from 2023 to 2033
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Education Careers for Organizational Leadership Grads
Leading an educational institution, whether it’s an elementary school or a university, means successfully juggling multiple moving parts — students, teachers, administrators, staff and parents, among them — and overcoming numerous communication challenges. School leadership can have an outsized impact on student achievement. Across a range of career paths in education, strong leadership skills may help maximize student success.
School Principal
Elementary, middle and high school principals manage the people, data and processes required for school operations, including overseeing faculty and staff, and coordinating curricula. They are responsible for creating an atmosphere conducive to academic success, and instilling leadership values in teachers and administrators so they can fulfill the school’s mission. Also known as education administrators, principals typically need teaching experience and a graduate degree, as well as school administrator licensure, depending on the state.
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- Median annual wage: $104,070 as of 2024
- Job growth: -1% from 2023 to 2033
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Postsecondary Education Administrators
Postsecondary education administrators may oversee areas such as admissions, financial aid, student services, academics and faculty research at two- and four-year colleges and universities. Helping students submit applications, register for classes and plan for graduation are among the variety of responsibilities for postsecondary administrators.
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- Median annual wage: $103,960 as of 2024
- Job growth: 3% from 2023 to 2033
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Management Careers in Organizational Leadership
Leadership is crucial to achieving organizational goals. In many organizations, the responsibility of leadership methods and development falls to those individuals in traditional leadership positions — usually management. In an increasingly diverse corporate environment, building knowledge and developing leadership soft skills as part of an MA in organizational leadership program can benefit candidates seeking opportunities in various management roles.
Administrative Services Manager
Administrative services managers are typically responsible for directing an organization’s support services. This can include overseeing administrative personnel, budgeting for supplies and equipment, liaising with contractors, and ensuring compliance with regulatory policies and procedures.
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- Median annual wage: $106,880 as of 2024
- Job growth: 6% from 2023 to 2033
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Sales Manager
Sales managers create training programs and set goals for sales representatives. They are often responsible for preparing budgets, resolving customer complaints and analyzing sales data to improve performance. These sales professionals also collaborate with interdepartmental colleagues and teams, including marketing, and research and design, as well as with distributors and dealers.
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- Median annual wage: $138,060 as of 2024
- Job growth: 6% from 2023 to 2033
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Organizational Leadership and Consulting Careers
Factors such as digital technology and AI, economic volatility, and global competition are continuously transforming the marketplace. With this high degree of turbulence, qualified and knowledgeable leaders and experts are needed to direct organizations through periods of rapid change.
Executive Leadership
Top executives — including chief executive officers (CEOs), operations managers, chief operating officers (COOs) and others — provide the strategies and policies needed for an organization to meet its objectives. They also oversee budgets, negotiate agreements, analyze performance indicators, and identify ways to cut costs and improve performance.
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- Median annual wage: $105,350 for top executives and $206,420 for chief executives as of 2024
- Job growth: 6% from 2023 to 2033
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Management Analysts
Management analysts, also known as management consultants or organizational management consultants, advise companies and other entities on how to improve organizational efficiency. They gather information about problems and procedures, interview personnel, conduct on-site observations and review financial data. From these methods, analysts develop solutions, recommend new systems and procedures, and work with the management team to ensure changes are implemented successfully.
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- Median annual wage: $101,190 as of 2024
- Job growth: 11% from 2023 to 2033
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Is a Master’s in Organizational Leadership Worth It?
With an interdisciplinary approach that includes the science of leadership and the development of core management competencies, Florida Tech’s online MA in Organizational Leadership program prepares working professionals for a wide variety of jobs. Notably, many of these jobs have a higher-than-average median annual wage and projected growth rate, according to BLS figures.
Additionally, the degree equips professionals with a toolkit of soft skills applicable to leadership in multiple industries. With this rich versatility, graduates can use their transferable skills to explore any number of fascinating career opportunities across business sectors.
Learn more about the online MA in Organizational Leadership program from Florida Tech.
