We'll let you in on a secret: if it weren't for BRMs, they probably wouldn't.
What is a Business Relationship Manager (BRM)?
You can think of a Business Relationship Manager as the IT representative for a business. At its core, the role focuses on understanding the convergence between what IT are delivering and meeting the aspirations of the business.
It used to be a pretty informal role, but in the past 10 years we've seen it develop a strong professional identity, taking a particular stronghold in IT and engineering organisations. Why? Well, it's clearer than ever that realising IT value and service delivery is of business-critical importance. Ensuring IT and business teams speak the same language is key to achieving long-term business goals.
Where does a Business Relationship Manager sit within a business?
Depending on the organisation, you may find the BRM integrated with service delivery or implementation teams, within business leadership circles, or adjacent to other middle management positions.
In IT, the position of a BRM on an org chart is going to be characterised by the relationships they're expected to manage and maintain. If you're a lower maturity BRM involved with service delivery and supplier relationships, you may find yourself reporting to IT Service Management. A more mature BRM may be closer to the Strategy leads, CTO, or CISO, depending on the level of influence they have on roadmaps and direction.
How can the role of a Business Relationship Manager vary?
In some cases, Business Relationship Management can be conflated with the role of Business Service Management. You may find BRM seen as an order-taker role: you find out what the business wants, re-jig how it’s communicated for IT, and deliver it. It really depends on the maturity and size of the business, and whether they’re actively fighting fires. You may find as a BRM in this kind of space you’re an extension of service delivery.
But as you develop your maturity as a BRM it’s likely the role will grow into the realm of implementing and shaping strategy. You become a business leader, a trusted partner; a conduit with a finger on the pulse of business goals and what’s possible within IT service delivery.
To get there you’ll need to develop a positive 'Case for Change', a timeline, cross-organisational buy-in... and secure the funding to back it.
What's the role of a Business Relationship Manager like day to day?
As a BRM no two days will feel the same. It’s challenging and the outlook can be long-term, but there’s always something different to do. Not to mention, BRM skillsets are highly transferable.
Often within a larger organisation you may find yourself moved from ‘looking after’ one suite of departments to an entirely different suite... for example, HR to Engineering.
The concept may be daunting – what if you don’t have an engineering background? Don't worry - the skillset is the same.
What are the key skills of a Business Relationship Manager?
Great BRMs have a solutions-focused outlook that stems from a much broader business-minded perspective, not just the immediate technical issue.
- Friendly and interpersonal
- Leadership skills
- Assertive and diplomatic
- Energy and focus
- Relationship builder
- Enjoys variety and working on many different projects
- Likes to be in the know
- Can juggle all of the above and deliver impact
- Strong understanding of enterprise-level IT, HR, and Finance
How can I become a Business Relationship Manager?
BRM roles tend to exist within IT-focused organisations, but this doesn't mean you'll need a technical background. You’ll always be surrounded by a host of people who are experts in their technologies – never without informed opinion (architect, analyst, etc.)
It’s actually a benefit to be the 1 out of a 100 non-technical people in an environment filled with that type of thinking! If you have a business-led mindset and a strategic outlook that’s of far more value in these roles than being overtly technical.
You need to be able to challenge IT from a business perspective and keep a level head.
If you're looking to move into Business Relationship Management, you could come from any of the following backgrounds as long as you can focus on value, act as a conduit, and 'put on your business hat':
- Any mid-weight IT discipline
- Programme Management
- Communications
- Business Analysis
What should I focus on as an early career Business Relationship Manager?
An early career BRM should be focused on problem and risk, listening to the experts, understanding what issues are, and using business terminology to communicate this upward. We'd call this 'brokering' the conversation to orchestrate change in a reasonable way.
And let's draw attention to that word; 'reasonable'. Reasonable is key – IT changes can have immense ripple effects and it’s important to be the gatekeeper in some respects to ensure that the business side (and customers/clients) don’t have to completely change the way they work overnight. Pacing is key and being able to keep both sides comfortable with the rate of change takes a skilled diplomatic and business-minded outlook.
Where's this information coming from?
As part of our focus on encouraging Early Entry into tech and demystifying alternative routes into the industry, we've partnered with Jag Sohal.
About Jag
Jag is on a mission to help those in their early careers make a positive start in the IT profession. She's is a myth buster keen to let people know that there’s many entry paths into IT and the profession offers a whole host of opportunity, impacting all sectors.
During 2020, Jag partnered with the BCS creating an inspiring eight-part Early Careers webinar series, with a range of industry guests. Alongside her voluntary ambassador commitment at BCS Jag is also the Early Career Advocate for the BCS Birmingham Branch supporting regional projects, and still fits in an impressive full-time job as a Senior IT Business Relationship Manager in Financial Services. Jag is skilled in strategic planning, leadership, and proven as an innovative & trusted partner. Strong commercial business acumen combined with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.
"Invest in a diverse talent pool today, to create a wealth of expertise, innovators & leaders of tomorrow. It is this urgent action, which will ultimately lead to the IT & Digital industry being a true reflection of our community, create better outcomes, and make IT good for society" - Jag
Watch: Business Relationship Management | BCS Birmingham Branch – Jag Sohal and Pez Kooner
Connect: Find Jag on LinkedIn here
