Administrative Management: Careers and Job Information
An administrative manager – sometimes known as an office manager – is in charge of supervising a company’s administrative operations. Administrative managers may have sole responsibility for an organization’s administrative support, or oversee a team of administrative assistants, receptionists and other office staff.
Job Outlook for Administrative Managers
Reports published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predict that employment for administrative managers will increase 7 to 13% over the coming years. Continuing advances in technology will be an important source of administrative support for office managers.
All organizations require administrative personnel to help with day-to-day business operations, so administrative manager jobs can be found in every industry. However, competition for administrative manager positions can be fierce, as there are often more applicants than job openings. Administrative managers with solid organizational communications capabilities, excellent team-building and leadership skills, and proficiency in the latest technology will excel in this role.
Job Duties
An administrative manager fulfills such responsibilities as managing the office budget and maintenance schedule for equipment, supplies and technology. Some administrative managers may coordinate the schedules of the organization’s senior executives.
Administrative managers are often the primary contact person for general business inquiries. In some companies, administrative managers may assist with human resource and finance duties such as new employee orientation, payroll issues and contracts.
Job Environment
The administrative manager role can involve a hectic, high-pressure environment or a relatively easy 9-to-5 routine, depending on a company’s size and business. Those who are in charge of multiple locations or manage a large office can have an especially heavy workload. Administrative managers must be able to handle shifting priorities, manage different personalities and maintain a calm, professional demeanor to succeed in this position.
Multi-tasking and organizational abilities are essential for administrative managers. They should be comfortable providing feedback, managing others, motivating administrative support staff and resolving office conflicts.
While administrative managers enjoy a high level of responsibility and visibility, they sometimes face blame for issues that are out of their control. In this position, it helps to have thick skin and be able to handle criticism without taking offense.
Administrative Manager Salary Potential
BLS surveys from May 2009 show that office managers earned an average salary of $49,990. Earnings ranged from $28,400 at the low end to a high of $76,100, with those in the middle 50% bracket earning $36,270 to $60,590.
Based on national salary data compiled by PayScale.com, administrative managers in major metropolitan areas earned the following salaries as of July 2010:
| Washington | $38,660 - $54,134 |
| New York | $38,775 - $61,512 |
| Chicago | $34,749 - $52,145 |
| Atlanta | $35,357 - $47,132 |
| Houston | $37,780 - $52,856 |
| Los Angeles | $37,505 - $54,088 |
| San Francisco | $43,771 – $61,998 |
Associate’s degree graduates generally start their careers at the lower end of the salary scale; however, they can achieve better positions and higher pay with further education and experience.
Education and Training
Most administrative managers have at least an associate’s degree; some hold a bachelor’s degree. The first step for individuals seeking an administrative manager career can be an associate’s degree in liberal arts.
Completion of a liberal arts education program helps prepare a prospective hire to:
- Use computers and other technology, as well as word-processing and spreadsheet applications.
- Communicate effectively in business settings.
- Apply critical-thinking methods to identify problems and propose solutions.
- Integrate skills from many different disciplines, including math, composition and social sciences.
Is an Administrative Manager Job Right for You?
An administrative manager career provides a structured work environment with clearly defined responsibilities. It is well suited to those with excellent organization, interpersonal and financial skills. If you enjoy overseeing an office, supervising staff and handling a wide variety of projects, then an administrative manager job may be the perfect role for you.
