What does a Business Continuity Manager do?
Published 4 min read
A Business Continuity Manager is responsible for developing and implementing plans to ensure that an organization can continue to operate in the event of an emergency. This may include developing evacuation plans, setting up alternate communication systems, and training employees on what to do in the event of an emergency.
Business Continuity Manager job duties include:
- Develop and implement business continuity plans
- Ensure that business continuity plans are tested and updated on a regular basis
- Coordinate with all relevant departments to ensure that their contingency plans are compatible with the overall business continuity plan
- Develop incident response plans and coordinate incident response teams
- Monitor developments that could potentially disrupt business operations and initiate appropriate contingency plans
- Investigate and document lessons learned from incidents in order to improve the business continuity plan
- Keep abreast of new technologies and approaches to business continuity planning
- Train employees on the contents of the business continuity plan and their roles in implementing it
- Maintain up-to-date records of all business continuity plans and associated documentation
Business Continuity Manager Job Requirements
A Business Continuity Manager is responsible for developing and implementing plans to ensure that an organization can continue to operate during and after a disruptive event. The manager must have a deep understanding of business processes and be able to identify which are critical to the organization's survival. They must also be able to develop plans for alternate methods of operating should the primary methods be unavailable.
Education requirements for this position typically include a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field. Certification in business continuity planning is also helpful, and many employers prefer candidates who have experience leading teams through disruptive events.
Business Continuity Manager Skills
- Communication
- Planning
- Organizational
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Stress Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation
- Teamwork
Related: Top Business Continuity Manager Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Business Continuity Manager
The role of a Business Continuity Manager is to plan, implement, and coordinate the activities of an organization in order to protect against business interruptions. Businesses rely on continuity managers to ensure that operations can resume quickly and efficiently following an interruption.
Becoming a Business Continuity Manager typically requires a combination of education and experience in emergency management, business administration, and/or information technology. Many organizations also prefer candidates who have earned professional certifications, such as the Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) designation offered by the Disaster Recovery Institute International.
Those interested in becoming Business Continuity Managers should first seek out opportunities to gain relevant experience and knowledge. This could include working in emergency management or IT support roles, or taking courses in business continuity planning. Once you have the necessary skills and experience, you can begin applying for jobs with organizations of all sizes.
While there is no one guaranteed path to becoming a Business Continuity Manager, those who are dedicated to protecting against business interruptions can find success in this rewarding career.
Related: Business Continuity Manager Resume Example
Related: Business Continuity Manager Interview Questions (With Example Answers)