What does an office manager do?
Office managers are responsible for overseeing and ensuring the efficient running of a business’s administrative and clerical tasks. No matter what tier of management an office manager works in, the role requires superb communication and delegation skills. Some of the daily duties an office manager may perform include hiring and training new staff, coordinating staff duties, adhering to departmental budgets, overseeing expenditure, and delegating workloads.
Tasks:
- Delegate tasks amongst staff
- Organise lease of the office premises
- Interview applicants for positions
- Provide and administer up-to-date staff training
- Oversee budget allocation and expenditure
What skills do I need to be an office manager?
Being an office manager requires a high level of communication and people skills, as office managers constantly need to liaise with fellow employees. Being a good listener and having the ability to articulate your ideas clearly is a must for an office manager. The stress of meeting deadlines and high workloads will also require you to keep a level head in high-pressure situations. Office managers are also brilliant multitaskers, being able to compartmentalise their thinking to efficiently address all areas of responsibility.
- Be able to keep calm in stressful situations
- Pragmatic and highly organised
- Strong people and communication skills
- Have the ability to multitask
Specialisations
Being an office manager requires strong managerial and administrative skills, which you can develop through various courses and gain through on-the-job training. As an office manager there are a number of different specialisations that you can choose to work within, allowing you to tailor your interests to your career trajectory.
Human resources officer
Executive assistant
Operations manager
Medical office manager
Study pathways for office managers
There are a number of different courses available to give you the knowledge and skills required to be an office manager.
Getting Started
Select a vocational course that equips you with the basic skills and training to become an office manager.
Skill Building
Continually build on your skills through ongoing training.
Professional Development
Learn industry relevant skills and get accredited.
Industry Recognition
By developing the skills and experience you need, you can gain industry accreditation and take your career to the next level.
Getting a job after graduation
Put your training to good use and get the best professional head start in your business and management career. Emphasise your personal strengths and achievements in your resume and target your cover letter to office manager positions