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.

Skills/attributes
  • Be able to keep calm in stressful situations
  • Pragmatic and highly organised
  • Strong people and communication skills
  • Have the ability to multitask
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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

HR specialists work closely with all staff within a company, providing a range of administrative and support services focused toward the smooth running of operations and the wellbeing of all staff. From monitoring wage rates to assisting with work place disputes, HR specialists have the ability to interact with other people – balancing the needs of the staff with the goals of the company.

Executive assistant

Working as an executive assistant is the ideal specialisation for those who possess impeccable organisational skills and have the ability to foresee the needs of executives. EAs typically oversee the schedule and diary of executives, a job that may involve a range of administrative tasks from overseeing budgets through to organising meetings and scheduling travel arrangements.

Operations manager

Operation managers see to the daily operations of a business, and will troubleshoot any arising issues and implement new protocols and strategies to ensure business processes are as efficient and sustainable as possible. Operation managers also need to keep abreast of industry changes, changes to legislations and any updates to WHS laws to ensure their company is responsive to the changing legal landscape.

Medical office manager

If you’re passionate about ensuring patients receive the best quality care and services available, working as a medical office manager might be the ideal career specialisation for you. Medical office managers oversee the daily operations and administrative tasks involved in the running of a hospital department, healthcare clinic or GP’s office.

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.

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Getting Started

Select a vocational course that equips you with the basic skills and training to become an office manager.

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Skill Building

Continually build on your skills through ongoing training.

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Professional Development

Learn industry relevant skills and get accredited.

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Industry Recognition

By developing the skills and experience you need, you can gain industry accreditation and take your career to the next level.

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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

Job Prospects and Salaries

The forecasted growth of employment for office managers is relatively good with a projected steady growth over the next five years.

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