what is an office manager?
As an office manager, you organize all administrative roles for a company and ensure that the office runs smoothly. It is important to develop supervisory skills to manage others effectively. You are also responsible for resolving employee disputes and hiring or firing employees as an office manager.
The size and type of the company will determine your responsibilities as an office manager. You handle most of the jobs in a small business, but in a large company, you supervise the work of a team. If you're in charge of a team, you motivate and encourage them to improve their productivity and increase the quality of work.
Time is critical to a company's success. The need for office managers has grown as a result of this. Business owners hire office managers to ensure they complete their office tasks promptly. Any brick-and-mortar business that allows customers to visit their location requires an office manager to assist in customer service. Companies with many employees also hire office managers to deal with employee questions and concerns.
Would working as an office manager suit your organizational skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an office manager role.
office manager jobsaverage office manager salary
According to Job Bank, office managers earn an average salary of $52,533 per year or an hourly rate of $26.94. Your earnings are slightly lower in an entry-level position due to your minimal expertise. Your starting salary is $44,850 per year, but you can earn over $90,000 per year with experience.
how to increase your salary as an office manager
As an office manager, your earnings depend on your experience and qualifications. When you have a degree or a college diploma, you earn more than an office manager without a university degree. Industry-related experience also increases your earning potential.
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access our tooltypes of office managers
Office managers work in various industries and fields. Some of the types of office managers include:
- corporate office managers: in a corporate setting, you work as the office manager for a particular department. You can work as a regional, national or provincial office manager in a large organization.
- legal office managers: in a legal environment, you require specialization in law due to specific laws and procedures. As a law firm office manager, your duties include scheduling workers, drafting legal documents and handling public relations.
- remote office managers: with many companies introducing a hybrid work setting, you can engage administrative workers virtually. You coordinate and oversee remote workers to ensure they perform their duties.
working as an office manager
Working as an office manager is an exciting role that prepares you for top managerial positions. Here are the specific tasks, work schedules and work environments of office managers.
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what does an office manager do?
Office managers perform the following duties and responsibilities:
- planning office tasks: your primary responsibility is planning so that everything runs smoothly. You establish a structure of duties necessary to meet your employer's objectives.
- hiring administrative staff: staffing is a part of your job if you're an executive office manager. You work with the human resources (HR) department to assist with promotions, compensation, staff recruitment, and the retirement of subordinate employees. If you work in a small business, you may be responsible for staffing on your own.
- motivating workers: as an office manager, you lead and direct your team to achieve your company goals. Thus, motivating them to perform better and do a quality job is essential. You can use external or personal motivation techniques to encourage your team.
- communicating with staff: effective communication is a critical factor that any office manager requires to operate a successful department. As an office manager, you communicate with your staff and inform them of their responsibilities. Communicating effectively with your bosses is important to comprehend the company's needs.
- organizing resources: as an office manager, you organize resources and work with other employees to achieve the organization’s objectives. You delegate tasks to qualified individuals and manage resources to ensure projects run smoothly.
- collaborating with the information technology (IT) team: working in a modern office means dealing with technology in almost every aspect of your job. You use various software solutions, including spreadsheets, emails and databases, to ensure your daily operations run smoothly. Receiving digital technology training, such as video conferencing and Zoom meetings, is critical. You also collaborate with the IT team for technical assistance.
- keeping records: when it comes to a company's success, record-keeping is crucial. As a result, any business requires an office manager to assist in recording office expenses. You manage the budget and ensure that each coin benefits the company.
- responding to complaints: clients may have a problem with a product or service that the company provides. As an office manager, you address the problem and, if necessary, compensate the clients. Apart from clients, you handle employee complaints, like addressing conflicts and overtime issues.
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work environment of an office manager
You spend the majority of your time as an office manager in an office. Your employer determines the type and size of office you can expect. In most cases, office managers have their office. However, an open office plan requires you to share an office with a team in some companies. You can also work remotely or in a hybrid work setting.
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who are your colleagues?
As an office manager, you work with various administrative and managerial professionals, including administrative assistants, HR managers and executive assistants. You also collaborate with legal assistants, office clerks and receptionists. Other professionals you are likely to interact with include recruiters and operations managers.
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office manager work schedule
Office managers work 35-40 hours per week. If you have a lot of work to do, you spend more time in the office to meet deadlines. You also require additional time to attend meetings that may benefit the company. On weekdays, you work during the day. If your company operates for extended hours, your services are required on holidays, weekends and at night. In most companies, you earn overtime pay if you work extra hours in the office.
Working as a virtual office assistant allows you to work with various companies. Maximizing your earnings this way is simple because you can work for as many employers as possible. As a virtual assistant, you can work from home or set up an office by renting a space. You schedule the time you spend working for your clients if you are a virtual assistant.
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career opportunities as an office manager
As an office manager, you interact with professionals from various departments to learn new skills from them. This way, you can advance your career by learning more skills. If you work for a small business, you can gain experience and apply for a more significant position in a big corporation. Since you have exposure to running a business, consider adding more responsibilities to your current job.
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advantages of finding a job as an office manager through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
office manager skills and education
The requirements for becoming an office manager include:
- education: it is essential to have a degree or college diploma to work as an office manager. You can pursue a degree in business management or any field related to your area of interest. For instance, if you want to work in a legal office, you need a legal studies or law diploma.
- work experience: to work as an office manager, you require work experience. Most employers prefer candidates with administrative knowledge and supervisory skills. Having knowledge of various software programs is also an added advantage.
competencies and characteristics of office managers
The primary responsibility of an office manager is to ensure that office operations run smoothly. You also work with various departments, so having the necessary skills to assist you in your daily operations is essential. As an office manager, you'll need the following skills:
- budgeting skills: as an office manager, you are in charge of office expenses. Your budgeting and financial planning skills help you manage income and expenditures. Sometimes, you are expected to review sales reports and invoices.
- leadership skills: you lead a team of administrative staff, and your job is to motivate and inspire them to accomplish their duties. With your leadership skills, you can supervise several teams and ensure the office runs smoothly.
- analytical skills: aside from organizing office functions, you are expected to evaluate the current systems and improve efficiency. Your analytical skills help you evaluate the technological improvements required and find ways to boost office operations.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an office manager.
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what are the duties of an office manager?
As an office manager, you support the operations of an office. You complete the administrative duties to keep the office running efficiently. Some of the duties of office managers include managing the payroll, processing paperwork for various activities and maintaining office procedures like scheduling work. You also hire and train administrative employees.
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how much does an office manager earn in Canada?
Office managers receive an average salary of $52,533 per year. At an entry-level position, your salary starts at $44,850 annually. The earnings increase gradually with experience and additional qualifications. Experienced office managers make up to $90,000 annually due to the additional responsibilities. Some regions have higher average salaries because of high demand and the disparity in cost of living compared to other provinces.
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is office manager a stressful job?
As an office manager, you perform multiple tasks with tight deadlines. You can minimize stress by improving your organizational and time management skills. Planning your work schedule helps you meet deadlines and oversee all office activities.
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is being an office manager a good career?
Working as an office manager is a great career if you have administrative expertise. It is a great way to advance your career and join managerial duties. Office managers receive an attractive salary and can practise their leadership skills.
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what are the important qualities of office managers?
As an office manager, you require excellent communication skills to provide clear instructions. Your ability to learn and adapt to the changing work environment helps you improve efficiency in office operations. You should be adept at learning new technology.
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how do I find a job as an office manager?
Finding a job near you as an office manager is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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