Transition management is a business process that guides organizations into a gradual and continuous transformation of financial, operations and governance changes. Responsible for leading this process are transition managers, professionals who also focus on maximizing the performance of organizations during transitions. Although these managers can work as resident employees in various companies, most of them find jobs with consultancy firms that offer transition management services.

Performing the Job

Transition projects are often complex and require a lot of interaction with clients and employees. As such, transition managers must have highly developed project management and communication skills to perform their duties successfully. These managers also require a good attention to detail to spot slight changes in a transition processes and problem-solving skills to develop quick and effective solutions to transition management challenges, such as a communication difficulties.

Spearheading Acquisitions

Transition managers ensure acquisitions and mergers are flawless. When a company acquires another, for example, the transition managers deal with an expansive range of process, people and technology challenges. They lead a team of legal, finance and IT specialists, who develop strategies for handling various aspects of the transition. Before the process begins, transition managers advise the buying company on the transition costs, manage risks during the transitions and produce post-transition reports for stakeholders.

Managing Change

When a company adopts a new organization-wide governance framework, the transition managers may focus on helping workers understand the new policies and regulations by conducting training workshops. Transition managers also work toward making outsourced services a success and provide guidance during the occurrence of unplanned events, such as death of a general manager.

Getting There

The path to becoming a transition manager begins with earning a bachelor's degree in economics, finance or business. Because job experience plays a big role in securing a job, prospective transitions managers typically work in entry-level positions for some time to gain the expertise required to oversee transitions. Obtaining a master's degree in strategic management or business administrations and professional certifications, such as the Information Services Group's certified transition manager, can be a springboard to lucrative transition management jobs.

Earning Your Dues

Although the US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not list transition managers separately, those specializing in financial transitions can expect to earn about $134,180, which was the mean annual wage for financial managers in 2020. The employment of professionals in management occupations will grow about 16 percent between 2018 and 2028, faster than the estimated 6 percent average for all jobs.

Financial Managers salary

• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $208,000 ($100/hour)
• Median Annual Salary: $134,180 ($64.51/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $70,830 ($34.05/hour)