What Does a Senior Administrative Manager Do?

Senior administrative managers are in charge of managing the day-to-day operations of their organization’s support staff. They commonly oversee a team of secretaries, receptionists, clerks, and other administrative employees who help keep the company running smoothly.

Senior administrative managers may also be responsible for overseeing other senior managers or executives within their organization. This might include things like helping to develop their subordinates’ career paths or providing guidance on how best to handle certain situations.

Senior Administrative Manager Job Duties

A senior administrative manager typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Meeting with clients to learn about their needs and concerns, and offering solutions based on their expertise
• Reviewing financial statements and reports to identify any irregularities or opportunities for improvement
• Developing plans for the future growth of an organization by identifying potential problems and creating solutions
• Managing a team of supervisors who oversee the work of other employees
• Overseeing day-to-day operations of departments such as human resources, accounting, or sales
• Evaluating employee performance and recommending promotions or termination based on merit
• Establishing company policies and procedures for all areas of responsibility
• Coordinating with other departments to ensure that work is completed on time and within budget guidelines
• Training employees in their area of responsibility, including new hires and existing staff on new procedures or technology

Senior Administrative Manager Salary & Outlook

Senior administrative managers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses or commissions.

• Median Annual Salary: $76,500 ($36.78/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $158,000 ($75.96/hour)

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

Demand for these managers depends largely on the overall health of the economy. As demand for goods and services grows, so does demand for the managerial expertise of senior administrative managers. However, automation and other technological changes may limit employment growth in some industries.

Senior Administrative Manager Job Requirements

A number of qualifications are necessary to become a senior administrative manager, which may include:

Education: Most senior administrative managers have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree. Relevant coursework includes business administration, management, accounting, finance and economics.

Training & Experience: Senior administrative managers often have at least 10 years of experience in a managerial role. They may have started as an administrative assistant or a junior manager and worked their way up to a senior management position. They may have worked in a variety of industries, including education, healthcare, government, finance, retail and manufacturing. Senior administrative managers may have experience in a variety of industries because they can transfer many of the skills they learn in one industry to another.

Certifications & Licenses: There are several certifications senior administrative managers can pursue to improve their skills and increase their earning potential. These certifications allow senior administrative managers to gain additional knowledge to advance in their career and make them highly competitive candidates when applying for executive positions.

Senior Administrative Manager Skills

Senior administrative managers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through a verbal or written medium. As an executive assistant manager, you use communication skills to relay messages from a superior, answer questions from employees and relay information to other departments. Senior administrators use communication skills to train and mentor their team members, provide feedback and evaluate employee performance. Effective communication is an essential skill for any managerial position.

Leadership: Leadership is the ability to motivate and inspire others to work together to achieve a common goal. Senior administrators often have leadership roles and are responsible for overseeing the work of other administrators. Effective leaders are able to motivate their teams to work harder and achieve more.

Organization: Organization is the ability to plan and execute tasks and projects in a logical and efficient manner. As an executive assistant, you might be responsible for managing the calendar of your manager and planning their meetings and events. As an administrative manager, you might be responsible for planning and organizing company-wide events and conferences. Senior administrators often oversee multiple departments and may be responsible for delegating tasks and projects to other managers and staff.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As an executive assistant manager, you may be responsible for handling many of the challenges that arise in your organization. Senior administrators often have more responsibility and therefore more challenges to overcome. Effective problem-solvers are able to identify the source of an issue, develop a solution and implement the solution effectively.

Time management: Time management is the ability to plan and execute tasks within a set time frame. Senior administrators often oversee multiple projects at once, so time management is an important skill for them to have. It’s important to be able to prioritize tasks and delegate work so that you can complete projects on time.

Senior Administrative Manager Work Environment

The work environment for a senior administrative manager is usually in an office setting, although some travel may be required for meetings or conferences. The manager typically works a standard 40-hour week, although longer hours may be necessary to meet deadlines or deal with unexpected problems. The job can be stressful, and the manager must be able to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously and make quick decisions. The work environment is usually fast-paced and deadline-oriented. The manager must be able to work well under pressure and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Senior Administrative Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how senior administrative managers work. Senior 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.

The Need for Better Communication

The need for better communication is a trend that is being driven by the increasing complexity of businesses. In order to be successful, businesses now need to be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including customers, partners, and employees.

Senior administrative managers are in a unique position to take advantage of this trend, as they are often responsible for managing communication within their organization. By developing strong communication skills and learning how to use technology to improve communication, senior administrative managers can help their organizations become more efficient and effective.

A Greater Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

As diversity and inclusion becomes a greater focus in business, senior administrative managers will need to develop new skills in order to manage teams that are more diverse than ever before.

This trend means that senior administrative managers will need to be able to understand and appreciate different cultures and ways of thinking. They will also need to be able to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions. In addition, they will need to be able to identify and hire top talent from all backgrounds.

More Attention Paid to Employee Engagement

Employee engagement has become a major focus for many businesses in recent years. This is because research has shown that engaged employees are more productive and loyal, which leads to higher profits for companies.

As employee engagement becomes more important, senior administrative managers will need to find ways to ensure that their team is happy and motivated. This may include providing incentives for good performance or creating a positive work environment.

How to Become a Senior Administrative Manager

A successful career as an administrative manager can be rewarding in many ways. It offers the opportunity to work with a variety of people and organizations, to develop your skills in areas such as project management, communication, and leadership, and to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

To be successful in this role, it’s important to have a strong understanding of business processes and procedures, as well as excellent organizational skills. You should also be able to effectively manage your time and meet deadlines, while remaining calm under pressure.

Advancement Prospects

Senior administrative managers typically advance by taking on larger projects or more responsibility within their organization. They may also move into management roles, overseeing a team of administrative staff. In some cases, senior administrative managers may start their own businesses or consult with other organizations on administrative matters.

Senior Administrative Manager Job Description Example

The Senior Administrative Manager is responsible for the overall administration of the company. This includes but is not limited to: human resources, finance, IT, legal, and compliance. The Senior Administrative Manager reports directly to the CEO and is a member of the executive team.

The Senior Administrative Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the company. They are also responsible for the management of staff, including recruitment, training, and development. Additionally, the Senior Administrative Manager is responsible for the development and management of the company budget.

The Senior Administrative Manager must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills. They must be able to work independently and be highly organized. They must also have the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and be able to work under pressure.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all administrative inquiries, concerns, and requests
• Oversee the work of junior administrative staff, providing guidance, support, and mentorship as needed
• Develop and implement systems and processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the administrative team
• Manage schedules, calendars, and travel arrangements for senior executives
• Prepare correspondence, reports, presentations, and other documents as needed
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and tact
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of company policies and procedures
• Stay abreast of industry trends and developments
• Research and compile data as needed
• Coordinate and oversee special projects as needed
• Perform general office duties such as ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, and managing vendor relationships
• Adhere to all health and safety regulations

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field
• 10+ years of proven administrative management experience
• Outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration or related field
• 15+ years of proven administrative management experience
• Working knowledge of budget development and expense management
• Experience developing and implementing office policies and procedures
• Familiarity with human resources practices and procedures
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion