What Does an Administrative Manager Do?

Administrative managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of their company or organization. They commonly oversee a team of administrative support staff and are in charge of planning, organizing, and directing their team’s work. Administrative managers may also be responsible for managing the overall administrative function of their organization, including things like human resources, finance, marketing, etc.

Administrative Manager Job Duties

Administrative managers typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Managing budgets and financial planning for departments or agencies
• Supporting executive leadership by planning and implementing employee development programs
• Planning and coordinating meetings, conferences, and other events with support from an administrative staff
• Coordinating with other departments within the organization to ensure that policies are being followed
• Overseeing office operations including hiring staff, overseeing their performance, and terminating employment as needed
• Maintaining company records such as financial documents, employee files, and HR documents
• Coordinating and scheduling meetings with other departments to ensure that all parties are aware of upcoming projects or events
• Reviewing reports submitted by staff members to ensure that all information is accurate and complete
• Establishing and enforcing rules and regulations for an office or department using precedents set by supervisors

Administrative Manager Salary & Outlook

Administrative manager salaries vary depending on years of administrative experience and length of time in a particular position. Salaries can also vary depending on the geographic location of the job, the company size and the job title of the executive they are assisting.

• Median Annual Salary: $62,500 ($30.05/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $85,000 ($40.87/hour)

The employment of administrative managers is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Employment growth will be driven by the continued need for efficiency and productivity in organizations. Administrative managers will be needed to oversee the implementation of new technologies, such as cloud computing, that can improve productivity.

Related: 25 Administrative Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Administrative Manager Job Requirements

Administrative managers typically need to have the following qualifications:

Education: Entry-level administrative managers are expected to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in business, finance or a related field. Relevant coursework includes business law, accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing and statistics.

Training & Experience: Most of an administrative manager’s training will take place on the job. They will learn the company’s policies and procedures, as well as the industry’s best practices. They may also receive training in specific software or computer programs the company uses.

Certifications & Licenses: While certification is not usually required for an administrative manager role, many employers may prefer or even require certification for some of the more advanced roles within their department.

Administrative Manager Skills

Administrative managers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Leadership: Administrative managers often have leadership skills that allow them to motivate and inspire their teams. Effective leaders can create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Administrative managers can use their leadership skills to create a workplace where employees are willing to go the extra mile to achieve company goals.

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through speech, writing or other methods. Administrative managers use communication to convey their ideas to their team, explain company policies, delegate tasks and answer questions. Effective communication is an essential skill for an administrative manager.

Collaboration: Collaboration is the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. Administrative managers often collaborate with other managers, supervisors and employees to develop and implement company goals and objectives. They also collaborate with other managers to develop and implement individual goals and objectives for their teams.

Organizational: Administrative managers often have to manage multiple projects and tasks at once. Having strong organizational skills can help you prioritize your tasks and keep your workplace organized. Administrative managers often have to manage employee schedules, files, budgets and other important documents. Being able to keep your workplace organized can help you be more efficient and help your employees be more productive.

Time management: Time management is the ability to plan and execute tasks within a set time frame. Administrative managers often oversee multiple projects at once, so it’s important that they can prioritize tasks and ensure that each project is progressing as expected.

Administrative Manager Work Environment

Administrative managers work in a variety of settings, including offices, hospitals, and schools. They typically work full time and may have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. They may also travel to attend conferences or to visit other offices or sites. Administrative managers usually work in well-lit and ventilated areas. They may sit for long periods when working at a computer or attending meetings. They may occasionally lift light objects, such as files or books.

Administrative Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how administrative managers work. Administrative managers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

Focus on Strategic Business Planning

Administrative managers are increasingly being called upon to develop strategic business plans. This is due to the fact that businesses are realizing the importance of having a long-term plan in order to stay competitive.

As administrative managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business, they are in a unique position to develop a plan that can help the company achieve its goals. By utilizing their knowledge of the business and its employees, they can create a plan that is tailored to the specific needs of the company.

Focus on Better Governance

The trend of better governance is increasing in demand as businesses strive to become more efficient and effective. This means that administrative managers will need to focus on developing better systems and processes to help their organizations run smoothly.

By streamlining operations and implementing best practices, administrative managers can help their businesses save time and money. In addition, they can help to create a more positive work environment by ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Focus on Culture & Communications

The administrative profession is evolving to focus more on culture and communications. In order to stay competitive in the job market, administrative professionals need to be able to navigate the cultural landscape and understand the importance of communication in the workplace.

Administrative managers need to be able to build relationships with coworkers and clients, and they need to be able to communicate effectively in order to get the most out of those relationships. By understanding the importance of culture and communication, administrative professionals can set themselves up for success in the years to come.

Focus on Finance & Budgeting

The trend of focusing on finance and budgeting is becoming more popular as people are looking for ways to save money and get their finances in order. For administrative managers, this means that they will need to develop skills in financial planning and budgeting.

As businesses look for ways to save money, they will turn to administrative managers who have experience in financial planning and budgeting. This will allow them to get a better understanding of where their money is going and how they can save more in the future.

Focus on IT & Business Analytics

The trend of businesses focusing on IT & Business Analytics is increasing the demand for administrative managers with strong analytical skills.

As businesses strive to become more efficient and competitive, they are turning to administrative managers to help them collect and analyze data. This data can then be used to make better business decisions and improve overall performance.

A More Strategic Role

Administrative managers are increasingly being asked to take on a more strategic role within their organizations. This trend is due to the fact that administrative managers are in a unique position to understand the inner workings of an organization as a whole.

As administrative managers are asked to take on a more strategic role, they will need to develop skills in areas such as problem solving and critical thinking. Additionally, they will need to be able to communicate effectively with other members of the executive team.

How to Become an Administrative Manager

Administrative Managers are the backbone of any company. They keep the office running smoothly and make sure that all the necessary tasks are completed on time. It is an extremely responsible position that requires a great deal of multitasking and organization.

The best way to become an Administrative Manager is to start at the bottom and work your way up. This means taking on any task that is given to you, no matter how small it may seem. By doing this, you will develop the skills needed to manage a team and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. You should also be prepared to take on additional responsibilities as they come up.

It is also important to be well-versed in technology. The administrative field is constantly changing, and those who can keep up with the latest trends will be more successful in their career.

Advancement Prospects

The most common path to becoming an administrative manager is to first become a successful administrator. Once you have proven your abilities as an administrator, you may be promoted to a management position. Alternatively, you may choose to pursue a management position by completing a management training program.

As an administrative manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the work of other administrators. You will also be responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures, as well as managing budgets and resources. In larger organizations, you may also be responsible for managing a team of administrators.

Administrative Manager Job Description Example

The administrative manager is responsible for the overall administration of the company. This includes but is not limited to: human resources, finance, IT, and general office management. The administrative manager is the go-to person for all company employees and is responsible for ensuring that the company runs smoothly and efficiently. The ideal candidate will have experience in all aspects of administration and be able to handle a fast-paced environment. They will be highly organized and have excellent communication skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all administrative inquiries, concerns, and requests
• Oversee the daily operations of the office, including but not limited to: mail distribution, supply inventory, equipment maintenance, and office space organization
• Manage and maintain schedules for conference rooms, meeting spaces, and company vehicles
• Serve as the liaison between building management and company staff, coordinating repairs, renovations, and other facility needs
• Handle vendor relations for the office, including but not limited to: ordering supplies, negotiating contracts, and troubleshooting billing issues
• Coordinate and oversee all company travel arrangements, both domestic and international
• Process and submit expense reports for employees in a timely and accurate manner
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of company policies and procedures
• Train and supervise office support staff, including but not limited to: receptionists, administrative assistants, and facilities personnel
• Develop and implement systems and processes to improve office efficiency
• Prepare monthly reports on office expenses and budget projections
• Perform additional duties as assigned by senior management

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field
• 7+ years of experience in an administrative role, with progressive responsibility
• Proven experience leading and managing a team of administrative staff
• Demonstrated ability to streamline processes and increase efficiency
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and Google Apps

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in business administration or related field
• 10+ years of experience in an administrative role, with progressive responsibility
• Experience developing and implementing process improvement initiatives
• Working knowledge of project management software, such as Asana or Trello
• Familiarity with accounting principles and bookkeeping