SOC 1139 Corporate managers and directors

Functional managers and directors n.e.c. Salary

Median salary £69,996 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £70,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For functional managers and directors n.e.c., £75,711 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +94% versus the national average. Experienced functional managers and directors n.e.c. (top 25%) earn over £99,752.

About this role

Functional managers and directors not elsewhere classified lead specialist business functions such as compliance, risk, corporate affairs, sustainability or other areas that don't fall into standard management categories. They provide strategic direction for their function and ensure it supports broader organisational objectives.

Key responsibilities

Leading specialist business functions and teams
Developing functional strategy aligned with organisational goals
Managing budgets, resources and performance
Ensuring regulatory compliance within their area
Advising senior leadership on specialist matters

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires significant experience in the relevant functional area, typically with a degree and often postgraduate or professional qualifications specific to the discipline.

Career outlook

Demand varies by function. Compliance, risk management, sustainability and data governance roles are growing areas.

Key skills

Functional expertise Strategic planning Leadership Stakeholder management Analytical thinking

Common industries

All sectors
Financial services
Professional services
Public sector
Large corporates

Data coverage

SOC code 1139

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 136,000

Median Salary

£69,996

Mean Salary

£80,257

Jobs (000s)

136k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £47,062Median: £69,996P75: £99,752

P10: £25kP25: £47kMedian: £70kP75: £100kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£24,851

0-2 years

Mid Level

£47,062

3-7 years

Senior

£99,752

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +301% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +55.1%Real growth: +13.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 14.3%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£69,996

Full-time Only

£75,711

Full-time premium: +£5,715

Functional managers and directors n.e.c. salary: common questions

How much do functional managers and directors n.e.c. earn in the UK?

Functional managers and directors n.e.c. earn a median of £75,711 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £47,062 and £99,752.

Is £75,711 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for functional managers and directors n.e.c.?

Entry-level functional managers and directors n.e.c. typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £47,062, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £24,851.

Have functional managers and directors n.e.c. salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median functional managers and directors n.e.c. pay has risen from £54,589 to £75,711 — +39% in cash terms, or +1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for functional managers and directors n.e.c.?

Male functional managers and directors n.e.c. earn a median £74,045 and female functional managers and directors n.e.c. £63,475 — a gap of +14% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).