General Manager

"The resurgence of what used to be known as middle managers proves that what goes around comes around. Only a few years ago, GMs were the dogs of corporate America, who took the downsizing ax right in the neck. Now companies are expanding again, and they say they're looking for middle managers who can strategize, incorporate technology into their department's work, develop strategic partnerships with outsourcers, and find ways to retain and inspire subordinates. Management Recruiters International recently reported that 55.2 percent of company executives plan to hire mid- and upper-level managers. Peter Felix, president of the Association of Executive Search Consultants, notes that fast-growing small and medium-size companies are hungry for managers with operational experience; these days, the tough decision for up-and-coming general managers is whether to remain a cog in a giant corporation or become a big wheel in a smaller enterprise."

• Pay: $75,000 - $150,000
• Requirements: Operational experience in a specialty.
• Gain: If you do a good job, you can move into upper management.
• Pain: You're in the middle - taking orders from on high while listening to your team's objections to them.
• Info: American Management Association International, 800-262-9699; www.amanet.org