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General Manager Cover Letter Template

Professional template and example for Australian job applications

General Manager Cover Letter Example

Dear Hiring Manager, I’ve spent the last decade working across policy planning and operations, and I’ve seen how clear priorities drive practical results. In my last role I led a cross‑functional team to roll out a standards program that touched six divisions, and we aligned budget cycles to a single forecast that trimmed delays by 15 days on average. I’m keen to bring that approach to [Company Name] and help translate strategy into day‑to‑day actions. I’m comfortable with the core GM toolkit you’d expect here—policy and standard setting, financial management, people leadership, and stakeholder engagement. I focus on clear objectives, robust performance management, and transparent reporting. I’ve found that steady communication with heads of departments and senior staff keeps projects on track and reduces mixed messages across the organisation. A practical example from [Previous Company] illustrates the approach. We faced a mid‑year funding squeeze while maintaining service levels, so I endorsed a targeted efficiency program and negotiated a reallocation of resources to critical priority areas. The result was a signifi­cantly improved delivery tempo, with monthly reports that highlighted risks early and allowed proactive adjustments before issues escalated. I’m available to discuss how my experience can support [Company Name] in meeting its policy objectives and daily operating requirements. If you’d like to chat, I can be flexible for a conversation next week. Kind regards, [Your Name]

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Our AI analyses your experience against the job requirements to create a targeted cover letter that gets noticed.

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Matches your experience to job requirements

Complete both steps above to generate your cover letter

What happens next: Our AI will match your skills to the job requirements, highlight relevant achievements, and create a compelling narrative that positions you as the ideal candidate.

Why This General Manager Cover Letter Works

Opening Paragraph

Hook with specific achievement + role alignment

Skills Match

Maps experience to job needs + company research

STAR Example

Situation-Task-Action-Result with numbers

Professional Close

Forward momentum + availability

Key Requirements for General Manager Roles

Essential Skills to Highlight

Make sure your cover letter demonstrates these key skills:

Policy PlanningStrategic PlanningOrganisational ManagementOperations ManagementBudgeting and ForecastingFinancial ManagementPerformance ManagementPeople ManagementLeadership and DirectionPolicy DevelopmentNegotiationChange ManagementLiaison and CommunicationStakeholder Engagement

Tip: Include specific examples of how you've used these skills in your STAR example paragraph.

Core Responsibilities to Address

Align your experience with these typical responsibilities:

  • Plan Policy and Standard Setting
  • Set Standards and Objectives for Organisations
  • Direct Day-to-day Management of Organisations
  • Endorse Policy to Fulfil Objectives
  • Assess Changing Situations; Issue Directives
  • ...and more

Tip: Reference 2-3 of these responsibilities when describing your relevant experience.

General Manager Cover Letter Best Practices

Structure (4 Paragraphs)

Opening (40-60 words): State the role and company, plus one compelling hook
Match (100-130 words): Map 2-3 achievements to their top requirements
Proof (80-100 words): One detailed STAR example with quantified results
Close (30-40 words): Confirm fit and invite discussion

Essential Requirements

  • • Length: 250-350 words (one A4 page)
  • • Australian English spelling and dates (DD/MM/YYYY)
  • • Address to specific person when possible
  • • No photos or personal details (DOB, etc.)

What Makes It Strong

  • • Specific achievements with numbers
  • • Company research in second paragraph
  • • Keywords from the job description
  • • Professional but personable tone

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Generic opening lines
  • • Repeating your CV chronologically
  • • Including salary unless asked
  • • Exceeding one page