This informal CPD article, ‘What is an Online Business Manager (OBM)?’ was provided by OBM School, an online training academy that teaches you how to start & scale a thriving business as an Online Business Manager. Their mission is to support you in gaining the expertise and confidence needed to hone in on your passion, and carve out a career you love in the online world.
In today's digital-first world, businesses must operate efficiently to stay competitive. As companies scale, managing day-to-day operations, coordinating teams, and overseeing projects become increasingly complex. This is where an Online Business Manager (OBM) plays a crucial role.
An OBM is a professional who partners with business owners to ensure smooth operations, implement effective systems, and drive strategic growth. Unlike a Virtual Assistant who primarily executes tasks, an OBM takes on a leadership role, working closely with business owners to create and implement systems, strategies, and processes that support sustainable growth.
The Role of an Online Business Manager
An Online Business Manager is a strategic partner who helps business owners manage daily operations, coordinate teams, oversee projects, and ensure that the business runs smoothly and efficiently. Rather than focusing on administrative work, an OBM plays a pivotal role in business operations, including:
- Business Management Systems: Extracting work methodologies, pinpointing company bottlenecks, optimizing and streamlining business processes, standardizing and documenting optimized business management systems
- Operations Management: Ensuring systems are in place for all moving parts of the business, maximizing and maintaining company efficiency including, daily activities, operations process, planning, performance, and operations strategy
- Project Management: Defining project goals, activity planning, task delegation, agile resource allocation, monitoring project progress, reporting on and closing projects
- Team Management: Building a team culture, keeping a pulse on the day-to-day activities, tasks, and communications, allocating resources, hiring and onboarding, firing and offboarding.
- Marketing and Metrics Management: Keeping a pulse on industry trends, creating buyer personas in order to effectively strategize and initiate marketing efforts, tracking and reporting on the company’s goals and key initiatives.
- Launch Management: Defining, planning, and overseeing the processes and functions leading up to a product, service, or event launch. This is often done alongside the product and marketing teams.
Why Businesses Need an OBM
As businesses scale, it becomes challenging for business owners to handle everything alone. Many entrepreneurs start as solopreneurs but soon find themselves overwhelmed by operational responsibilities, leaving little time for creative or revenue-generating activities. An OBM bridges this gap by taking charge of operations, allowing business owners to focus on their core expertise while ensuring that the business functions efficiently.
By bringing structure, organization, and leadership to a business, an OBM enables:
- More efficient delegation of tasks to teams.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Improved communication and collaboration within the company.
- A scalable framework for business expansion.
Who is the Online Business Manager best suited for?
One of the unique aspects of this career path is its versatility. OBMs transition from backgrounds such as project management, corporate leadership, marketing, administration, finance, or even creative fields.
Common characteristics of Online Business Managers include:
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and teams.
- Leadership capabilities to guide and support business growth.
- Problem-solving mindset to navigate challenges effectively.
- Strategic thinking to align business goals with operational processes.
- Tech-savviness to implement digital tools and automation systems.
A Day in the Life of an OBM
The daily responsibilities of an OBM vary depending on the needs of their clients, but common tasks include:
- Hosting team meetings to align priorities and project deadlines.
- Overseeing marketing campaigns, product launches, or operational improvements.
- Optimizing workflows by implementing new tools or automation systems.
- Tracking business performance through analytics and reporting.
- Brainstorming strategic solutions to enhance efficiency and scalability.
On the whole, OBMs work as independent contractors working with a select number of clients to maximize impact while maintaining work-life balance. That being said, there are some who work within OBM Agencies as full-time employees.
The Growing Demand for OBMs
As the online business landscape continues to expand, so does the demand for Accredited Online Business Managers. Small businesses, startups, and even established enterprises are recognizing the value of having a dedicated operations manager to ensure efficiency and long-term sustainability. Whether it's streamlining operations, leading teams, or implementing growth strategies, an OBM is often the missing link between a business owner’s vision and its execution.
For those considering a career in Online Business Management, developing organizational, leadership, and strategic planning skills is essential. The role provides an opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying flexibility and professional growth.
As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, the role of the OBM will remain integral in ensuring structure, efficiency, and sustainable growth in an increasingly complex online marketplace.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Online Business Management School, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
