Job Description for Office Manager

The role of an office manager is to generally be the office know-it-all. An office manager's duties can range from receptionist to web master to bookkeeper, depending on the needs of the organization. The role of an office manager may also include human resources, travel agent, and event planner. Talented office mangers often work their way up the ranks in an organization from the administrative or human resources side by showing an aptitude for figuring out systems quickly, solving problems on the fly, and implementing organizational methodologies according to the needs of the company.

What is the Role of an Office Manager?

Common office manager duties include ordering supplies, keeping the office environment orderly (including conference rooms and common kitchen), maintaining a professional and clean lobby, supervising administrative staff, arranging company parties and picnics, maintaining schedules, reviewing contracts and retaining relationships with office vendors and acting as the direct administrative liaison to the board of directors. Office managers often play a pivotal role in opening new facilities, arranging office moves, and supervising build-outs. Office manager duties within a small organization may also include human resources and accounting responsibilities such as payroll, light bookkeeping, invoicing, bill paying, and data entry. Secondary duties may involve designing marketing fliers, hiring and firing, placing ads and job postings, arranging travel details, delivering documents, website updates, and light janitorial tasks.

Education vs. Experience

Some companies require a four-year Degree in Business or Accounting, depending on their needs, but education is just one aspect of an effective office manager. If an essential part of an office manager's duties include detailed bookkeeping or a high technical aptitude for computers and phone systems, then education may be extremely important. If the role of an office manager involves generally taking care of a medium to large company, then experience with staff, organization methodology, and the ability to work independently are key. An experienced office manager may have previous successful experience in a High Level Administrative Capacity, a Human Resources Position for a small to medium organization, or a Project Manager with a proven track record of determining scope, staying on budget, and timely deliverables.

Specialized Office Manager Duties

The role of an office manager working for a large warehouse is far different than that of an office manager at a law office. The office manager is often one of the few people who knows every person within an organization by first name. Ideally, an office manager is able to connect with employees on a personal level and fulfill their needs and requests. However, as mentioned above, office manager duties will fluctuate depending on the industry; it's important for an office manager to understand some of the nuances of a given industry and the personalities involved.

According to the report on Office Manager Salaries by Employer Type, median salaries for office managers can vary greatly depending on work setting. And comparing Office Manager Salaries by Certification reveals that obtaining certain licenses or training can lead to significantly higher salaries. These salary charts may indicate which backgrounds are more valuable within the field of office management.