The success or decline of any business depends on the quality of the management team. Similarly, the success of your business plan also heavily depends on your management team section.
Often, this section sits in the middle of your business plan, connecting the beginning and end, and plays a key role in impressing stakeholders.
However, writing the management team section in a business plan can often be confusing—where to start, what to include, and who to address.
That’s where this blog comes in. Here you’ll understand how to write a management team section in a business plan. As well as explore practical insights on effectively presenting your team’s strengths, roles, and expertise with the example we’ve shared.
Let’s dive in.
What is the management team section in a business plan?
The management team in a business plan is a section that introduces the key people who will run your business.
The section highlights the key roles of your employees, their skills, and the experience they carry that they will contribute to the company’s success.
The aim of the management team section in a business plan is to help investors and stakeholders understand who is leading the business, key members' contributions, and why they are the right team to achieve the business goal.
6 steps to write management team section in business plan
When you sit down to write the management team section, it’s easy to think, “I’ll just write about the business structure, key managers, board members, and the organizational chart—done!”
But the real challenge begins when you dive deeper into the details and realize how complex this section can get.
We’ve been in your shoes. That’s exactly why we’ve created these steps to help you simplify the process. Follow them, and you'll breeze through the process with ease.
Step 1: Know your audience
Knowing your audience—investors, lenders, or management team members—doesn’t just mean identifying who they are. It also means understanding their expectations.
And let me tell you, they care about one thing above all: Can this team execute the plan? Hence, knowing their expectations will help you tailor this section to address their concerns.
Remember that your audience isn’t interested in details like your team’s hobbies, gender, or geographic background.
They’re here to evaluate leadership qualities, relevant experience, and proven achievements. So, focus on providing the information that matters to them and skip anything that doesn’t add value.
Step 2: List your leadership team
Show your audience who’s in charge and why they are the right fit for your business. Investors and lenders want to know the key members of your team and their roles in driving the business forward.
Including this information is essential because investors won’t invest in your business blindly. Just as they are interested in your business idea, they are equally, if not more, interested in who’s leading and executing that idea.
So, make sure this section is well-structured and includes all important details about your management team members and their responsibilities in a professional and organized way.
Here’s how you can list your board members in your management team section:
Name | Educational Background | Years of Experience | Last Worked Company | Previous Position | Key Achievements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Roberts | MBA, Harvard Business School | 15 | Amazon | Director of Global Operations | Scaled operations to 10 countries, driving $50M in revenue. |
Sarah Johnson | MS in Computer Science, Stanford | 12 | Senior Product Manager | Developed and launched AI products with 30% market adoption. | |
Michael Carter | CPA, Wharton School of Business | 20 | Deloitte | Partner, Financial Services | Led financial audits for Fortune 500 companies. |
Emily Davis | BA in Marketing, NYU | 10 | Coca-Cola | Global Marketing Lead | Executed global campaigns, increasing brand visibility by 40%. |
William Turner | PhD in Biotechnology, MIT | 18 | Pfizer | Head of Research and Development | Executed global campaigns, increasing brand visibility by 40%. |
Step 3 - Attach certifications and accreditation
It's crucial to showcase your management team's certifications and accreditations to provide proof of their qualifications and achievements. Certifications validate your team's expertise and build credibility and trust with potential investors, partners, and clients.
Including these certifications in your business plan demonstrates that your team members have the necessary skills and qualifications to execute the business plan effectively. It shows that your team is professionally recognized and can bring proven expertise.
To demonstrate this in your business plan, you can:
- Include a separate section dedicated to your team's certifications, where you list each key member's relevant credentials.
- Attach supporting documentation such as copies of diplomas, licenses, or certificates that prove their qualifications.
- Briefly describe how each certification adds value to their role in the company. For example, if a member has a project management certification, you can highlight how it equips them to lead complex initiatives and ensure smooth execution.
By showcasing these qualifications, you make it clear to your audience that your team is capable, well-trained, and ready to drive the business toward success.
Step 4 - Include organizational structure
The organizational structure is a key element that provides a complete snapshot of your external and internal management team. It outlines who does what in your company, who oversees which teams, and how the hierarchy operates.
This section typically includes details such as:
- Who’s responsible for leading specific departments
- Which team handles key functions like marketing or operations
- Reporting lines—who works under whom
- Advisory board members and their roles
Here’s how you can demonstrate your organizational structure:
Including the organizational structure helps your audience clearly understand the roles and responsibilities of key members and their positions within the company.
It also gives investors and stakeholders insight into your business’s potential and operational efficiency.
Step 5 – Describe how your team will collaborate
If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself - Henry Ford.
This is exactly what investors and lenders expect from your team—alignment, unity, and seamless collaboration. You must demonstrate how your team will work together to execute the business plan and achieve success to gain their trust.
Here's how you can showcase your team collaboration:
- Highlight the tools and processes your team will use to communicate constantly.
- Outline how your team will be flexible and step in to help one another when needed.
- Describe how decisions will be made—through group discussions, consensus-building, or a clear chain of command.
- Explain how different departments (marketing, finance, or product development) collaborate.
Demonstrating your team's collaboration isn’t just about informing stakeholders; it's about showing them that your business operates smoothly and efficiently. It helps them believe your company has the strong leadership and structure necessary for long-term success.
Step 6 - Address management team gaps honestly
It often happens, especially in startups, that certain positions remain unfilled due to a lack of suitable resources. This can directly impact the progress of your business.
If there are potential gaps in your team or resource availability, it’s essential to address them upfront in the management team section of your business plan. Doing so demonstrates transparency to your stakeholders.
Additionally, if challenges arise in the future due to resource constraints, your stakeholders will be well aware and prepared for such situations.
It’s equally important to communicate to stakeholders the timeline for addressing these gaps and the measures or strategies you have in place to close them effectively.
Here’s an example to have a deeper understanding:
Position Needed | Job Description | Strategy to Address | Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
Vice President (VP), Sales | Lead the sales team, develop and implement sales strategies, and drive revenue growth. | Conducting nationwide recruitment through professional networks and job boards. Partnering with a recruitment agency. | Expected to fill within 3 months |
Sales Manager | Oversee regional sales operations, manage sales teams, and ensure targets are met consistently. | Internal promotions are being considered. In addition, a targeted job posting campaign is underway. | Expected to fill within 2 months |
With that said let’s check out a management team section example to understand better what to include.
Example of the management team in a business plan
In this example, you’ll learn how to write a management team section in business plans. Further, following this example, you can craft a compelling management team section that provides results.
We will take the example of AquaBrew a beverage manufacturing company:
The management team of AquaBrew—Beverage manufacturing company
AquaBrew's management team brings together industry experience, leadership, and innovative strategies to position the company for success in the competitive beverage market. Below is a brief overview of our internal and external teams.
Internal Management Team
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer) – Mark Johnson
- Responsibilities: Oversees the company’s strategic vision, manages investor relations, and drives partnerships.
- Role in AquaBrew: Leads company expansion and innovation to strengthen AquaBrew’s presence in the beverage market.
- COO (Chief Operating Officer) – Lisa Carter
- Responsibilities: Manages daily operations, including production, supply chain, and logistics.
- Role in AquaBrew: Ensures smooth operations and timely delivery of products to distributors and retailers.
- CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) – Olivia Bennett
- Responsibilities: Develop branding strategies, marketing campaigns, and promotional partnerships.
- Role in AquaBrew: Leads efforts to establish AquaBrew as a household name in the beverage industry.
- CFO (Chief Financial Officer) – Ethan Rivera
- Responsibilities: Oversees financial planning, budgeting, and investor relations.
- Role in AquaBrew: Manages the company’s financial health and capital-raising efforts for expansion.
Organizational Structure
External Management Team (Advisory Board)
- James Williams – Legal Advisor
- Responsibilities: Guides regulatory compliance, trademarks, and contractual agreements.
- Experience: 15 years specializing in beverage industry law.
- Emma Collins – Product Manager
- Responsibilities: Offers insights into new flavor creation, ingredient sourcing, and production innovation.
- Experience: 12 years in product development for leading beverage brands.
Wrapping up
The management section determines the success of your business plan by demonstrating your leadership, expertise, and capabilities to turn a business idea into a reality. It’s the make-or-break part where your chances of securing investment are decided.
Hence, this blog outlines the steps to craft an impressive management team section for your business plan. Additionally, we provide a detailed example to enhance your understanding and guide you effectively.
However, writing the management team section can be time-consuming and demands careful attention to detail. Working with business plan consultants is a smart choice. We can provide expert guidance in crafting critical business plan sections effectively with details you may miss when trying to juggle other business aspects.
Sounds interesting? Book your free 30-minute consultation call now!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the management team in a business plan?
To showcase the expertise, leadership, and structure of the team driving the business, instilling confidence in stakeholders.
Who should be included in the management team section?
Key executives, department heads, board members, and advisors relevant to your business's success.
How detailed should the management team section be?
Provide concise information about roles, qualifications, achievements, and responsibilities without overwhelming the reader.
Why do investors care about the management team?
Investors care about the management team because their experience, skills, and leadership directly influence a business's success. A strong team inspires confidence in execution, decision-making, and long-term growth potential.
What are common mistakes in the management team section?
Lack of detail, irrelevant information, missing key roles, and failure to address gaps or collaboration plan.