What is General Management?
General Management (GM) refers to the executive leadership of a company or brand. This includes but is not limited to the CEO, CMO, CFO, etc. General Managers oversee the brand’s profit & loss (P&L) statement, overarching strategy, and daily operations.
Darden has long been recognized as a leading MBA program in general management (ranked No. 1 by Financial Times). The case study method and integrated core curriculum provide a thorough understanding of how all areas of a business impact one another.
How are GM functions structured?
Many companies have Leadership Development Programs (LDPs) which is a great opportunity for MBA students get exposure to multiple functions within a company.
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Marketing
Marketing or “brand management” is often the core of the brand, driving overall strategy, brand values, and product launches. Marketers are often responsible for the P&L, working with all core functions to drive the bottomline and brand strategy.
Courses at Darden include but are not limited to: First Year Core Marketing I & II, Second Year Electives; Digital Marketing, Marketing Leadership, Business-to-Business Marketing, Marketing & Society, Consumer Insights in a Data Driven World, Artificial Intelligence for Consumer Growth, Marketing Analytics.
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Finance
Finance or “corporate finance” works closely with marketing and sales teams to manage the company’s profitability, funding sources, capital structure, and investment decisions. To maximize shareholder value and balance risk, finance manages daily cash flow, reporting, and long-term strategic planning.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Finance I & II, Second Year Electives; Managerial Finance, FinTech, International Corporate Finance, Corporate Financial Strategies, Corporate Financing, Healthcare Finance
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Strategy
Strategy roles vary greatly across companies but can be thought of as “internal consulting” within a company. Corporate strategy defines the overarching, long-term plan which involves: determining which businesses to compete in, how to allocate resources, and how to create maximum value. Strategy teams focus on long-term growth, which often involves mergers & acquisitions.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Strategic Thinking and Action; Second Year Electives; Leading Strategic Change, Competitive Dynamics, Strategy in the Digital Age, Corporate Strategy, Leading in Uncertainty and Crisis
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Operations
Operations or “supply chain” focuses on daily activities system and processes that enable a business to function efficiently. Operations is the backbone of a company, transforming inputs to value. They optimize workflow, resources, and productivity using data models.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Operations Management I & II; Second Year Electives, Managing Innovation, Digital Operations, Strategic Sourcing, Management of Service Operations
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Human Resources
HR manages the employee lifecycle from hiring to termination. HR works with executive leadership to strategize the future of its workforce and human structure. Key functions include: talent acquisition, performance management, and corporate education.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Leading Teams & Leadership Communication; Second Year Electives, Leadership, Diversity, and Leveraging Difference, General Managers Taking Action
Marketing or “brand management” is often the core of the brand, driving overall strategy, brand values, and product launches. Marketers are often responsible for the P&L, working with all core functions to drive the bottomline and brand strategy.
Courses at Darden include but are not limited to: First Year Core Marketing I & II, Second Year Electives; Digital Marketing, Marketing Leadership, Business-to-Business Marketing, Marketing & Society, Consumer Insights in a Data Driven World, Artificial Intelligence for Consumer Growth, Marketing Analytics.
Finance or “corporate finance” works closely with marketing and sales teams to manage the company’s profitability, funding sources, capital structure, and investment decisions. To maximize shareholder value and balance risk, finance manages daily cash flow, reporting, and long-term strategic planning.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Finance I & II, Second Year Electives; Managerial Finance, FinTech, International Corporate Finance, Corporate Financial Strategies, Corporate Financing, Healthcare Finance
Strategy roles vary greatly across companies but can be thought of as “internal consulting” within a company. Corporate strategy defines the overarching, long-term plan which involves: determining which businesses to compete in, how to allocate resources, and how to create maximum value. Strategy teams focus on long-term growth, which often involves mergers & acquisitions.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Strategic Thinking and Action; Second Year Electives; Leading Strategic Change, Competitive Dynamics, Strategy in the Digital Age, Corporate Strategy, Leading in Uncertainty and Crisis
Operations or “supply chain” focuses on daily activities system and processes that enable a business to function efficiently. Operations is the backbone of a company, transforming inputs to value. They optimize workflow, resources, and productivity using data models.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Operations Management I & II; Second Year Electives, Managing Innovation, Digital Operations, Strategic Sourcing, Management of Service Operations
HR manages the employee lifecycle from hiring to termination. HR works with executive leadership to strategize the future of its workforce and human structure. Key functions include: talent acquisition, performance management, and corporate education.
Courses at Darden to prepare students for this career track include but are not limited to: First Year Core Leading Teams & Leadership Communication; Second Year Electives, Leadership, Diversity, and Leveraging Difference, General Managers Taking Action
Recruiting Calendar
| Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | — | Orientation Club Fair |
Coffee Chats Company Briefings Interview Prep |
Case Camp Company Briefings Interview Prep Interviews Begin |
Interviews Coffee Chats |
Interviews Coffee Chats |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Semester | Round 2 Interviews |
Round 2 Interviews Offers Extended |
Round 2 Interviews Offers Extended "Just in Time" Recruiting |
Round 2 Interviews Offers Extended "Just in Time" Recruiting |
— |
Internships Begin |
Club Events & Activities
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Corner Office Conversations
LeadershipNew for 2026–2027, Corner Office Conversations is DGM's signature executive speaker series featuring accomplished leaders across marketing, operations, strategy, finance, and general management. Offered in both in-person and virtual formats, these conversations give students the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world leadership while building relationships with executives shaping today's most recognizable organizations.
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Experiential Learning
Applied ManagementAt DGM, learning extends well beyond the classroom. Through case competitions, company-sponsored challenges, and hands-on projects, members develop practical experience solving real business problems. New this year, our partnership with Caspari launches an annual case competition designed to complement the first-year marketing and strategy curriculum while giving students direct exposure to industry leaders.
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Mentorship & Career Development
Professional GrowthDGM supports members throughout their MBA journey with resume reviews, interview preparation, career workshops, and informal coaching beyond the traditional First Year/Second Year experience. Members also have the opportunity to participate in our mentor matching program with Darden Executive MBA students, providing additional leadership guidance and career perspective.
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Community & Social Events
ConnectionThe best part of DGM is our people. Throughout the year, we bring members together through social events that foster lasting friendships and strengthen our community: from our September Kickoff Happy Hour and annual Cold Call social to seasonal gatherings and our End-of-Year Celebration. Because great leaders build great relationships.
Stay Up to Date on the Latest Club Activities
2026-27 Board
Hannah Cho
President
Josiah Dillon
EVP
Mkenna Breckenridge
VP of Recruiting
James Kennedy
VP of Recruiting
Caroline Smith
VP of Recruiting
Henry Kenney III
VP of Affinity
Nishtha Kohlsa
VP of International
Grace Haffner
VP of Events
Meghan Brady
VP of Events
Emma Thompson
VP of Communication
Nathaniel Purdy
VP of Finance
Career Center and Faculty Sponsor
Janeth Gomez
Career Center Liaison
Kimblery Whitler
Frank M. Sands Sr. Professor of Business Administration, Faculty Liaison
Where Darden Students are Headed
Contact Us
GeneralManagementClub@darden.virginia.edu
Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization, which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.
This organization does not restrict its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, military status (which includes active-duty members, reserve service members and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and family or genetic information absent an approved petition restrict.