What is a business continuity planner?
A business continuity planner is a professional who is responsible for ensuring that an organization can continue to function during and after an unexpected disruption, such as a natural disaster, cyber-attack, or other emergency. They conduct risk assessments, develop and maintain detailed continuity plans, and train employees on emergency procedures. Their role is crucial for protecting an organization's assets, reputation, and operations.
Typical Education
A bachelor's degree in emergency management, business administration, or a related field is the typical education.
Salary Range (United States)
According to a May 2023 report from the BLS, the median annual salary for emergency management directors (a related occupation) was $83,960. Salaries for business continuity planners can range from $57,000 to $91,000 or more, depending on experience and location.
Source: Business continuity planners - Vault
How to Become a Business Continuity Planner
- Obtain a Bachelor's Degree: Start with a degree in a relevant field.
- Gain Relevant Experience: Prior experience in emergency management, risk management, or a related field is highly beneficial.
- Pursue Certifications: Certifications such as the Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) can enhance career prospects.
- Develop Key Skills: Focus on improving your analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.
Essential Skills
- Analytical Skills: The ability to conduct risk assessments and identify potential threats.
- Problem-Solving: Creating detailed and actionable plans to address potential disruptions.
- Communication: Clearly and effectively communicating complex plans to a wide range of employees.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulously developing and maintaining detailed continuity plans.
- Leadership: The ability to lead and guide a team during an emergency.
Key Responsibilities
- Risk Assessment: Identifying and analyzing potential threats to the organization's operations.
- Plan Development: Creating, maintaining, and updating business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
- Training and Testing: Conducting training sessions and running drills to test the effectiveness of plans.
- Coordination: Working with various departments to ensure all areas of the organization are prepared.
- Incident Response: Serving as a key member of the incident response team during an emergency.
Common Interview Questions
- "Walk me through your process for developing a business continuity plan for a company." This tests your strategic planning skills and your understanding of the key components of a comprehensive continuity plan.
- "Tell me about a time you conducted a risk assessment. What did you look for, and what was your biggest discovery?" This is a behavioral question that assesses your analytical skills and your ability to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats.
- "How would you convince an organization's leadership of the importance of business continuity planning?" The interviewer is looking for your communication and persuasion skills and your ability to articulate the value of this work to non-technical stakeholders.
- "Describe a time you had to respond to an unexpected disruption or crisis." This evaluates your judgment and your ability to act quickly and effectively under pressure.
- "How do you stay current with evolving threats and best practices in business continuity?" This assesses your commitment to continuous learning and your proactive approach to staying informed about new risks, like cyber threats or global events.
Questions?
Ask in our Career Community!