Office Coordinator vs. Office Manager: What Are the Differences?

The roles of office coordinator and office manager are both important in keeping an office running smoothly. Though there are similarities between the two positions, there are also several key differences. In this article, we discuss the duties of an office coordinator and an office manager, and we explain the differences between the two roles.

What is an Office Coordinator?

Office Coordinators are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an office, ensuring that all administrative tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. They may oversee office staff, manage schedules, coordinate meetings and events, and handle customer inquiries. Office Coordinators may also be responsible for ordering office supplies, maintaining office equipment, and overseeing office maintenance and repairs. In some cases, Office Coordinators may also provide administrative support to senior-level staff, such as preparing reports and presentations.

What is an Office Manager?

An Office Manager is responsible for the overall operations of an office, including supervising administrative staff, maintaining office equipment and supplies, and coordinating office activities. They develop and implement office policies and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Office Managers also develop budgets and monitor expenses to ensure that the office runs smoothly and within budget. They often handle human resources tasks such as hiring and training new staff, processing payroll, and managing employee records. In some cases, Office Managers may also provide administrative support, such as scheduling appointments, preparing reports, and handling customer inquiries.

Office Coordinator vs. Office Manager

Here are the main differences between an office coordinator and an office manager.

Job Duties

Both office coordinators and managers have similar job duties, but the manager’s job duties are more extensive. An office coordinator might handle tasks like making travel arrangements, ordering supplies and scheduling meetings and phone calls. An office manager might also perform those tasks, but they might also oversee employees’ work, evaluate performance and manage disciplinary action.

Another difference is that an office coordinator might focus on administrative tasks, while an office manager might focus on managerial responsibilities. For example, an office coordinator might schedule regular team meetings with staff members to discuss productivity and improvement areas. A coordinator in a management position might lead these meetings and provide feedback to employees about their performance.

Job Requirements

Office coordinators typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the field. However, some employers prefer candidates who have an associate degree in business administration or a related field. Additionally, office coordinators should have experience working in an office environment and be proficient in using common office software, such as Microsoft Office.

To become an office manager, you will likely need at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field. Additionally, office managers should have several years of experience working in an office environment, as well as experience managing staff. Additionally, office managers should be proficient in using common office software, such as Microsoft Office, and have strong leadership skills.

Work Environment

Office coordinators and managers often work in different environments. Office managers typically work in an office setting, such as a corporate building or business location. They may also travel to clients’ locations to provide support for their projects.

Office coordinators usually work in an office environment, but they may also work in other settings, such as hospitals, schools or government agencies. Coordinators who work in school settings may travel between classrooms to help teachers with administrative tasks.

Skills

The specific skills used on the job by an office coordinator and an office manager can differ depending on the size of the company and the specific duties of the position. However, there are some similarities between the two roles. Both office coordinators and office managers typically need excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with employees, customers and vendors. They also both need to be organized and detail-oriented to manage paperwork, schedules and deadlines.

Office coordinators may use more customer service skills than office managers as they may be responsible for handling customer inquiries and complaints. They also may benefit from having strong computer skills to manage databases and create reports. Office managers may use more leadership skills than office coordinators as they may be responsible for supervising staff and overseeing departmental budgets. They also may need to have project management skills to coordinate office renovations or relocations.

Salary

Office coordinators earn an average salary of $44,318 per year, while office managers earn an average salary of $55,923 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has prior to taking the position.