Aspiring office managers should have excellent communication, problem-solving, and managerial skills, as they are responsible for all activities, projects, and employees of their offices.

It is essential that office managers work well in fast-paced environments, as they must oversee several ongoing projects at once. They work closely with staff to ensure that operations are running smoothly, and they must always stay up-to-date on the statuses of all projects to report directly to the CEO or other high-level executives. In having such a close working relationship with high-level executives, office managers must be able to implement new policies and procedures that these executives have developed.

Financial expertise is essential for this position, as office managers must develop budgets for their departments to follow, and some may also have purchasing duties on behalf of their companies. Some consider this a high-demand, high-stress position, so prospective candidates should be able to handle and adapt to such an environment.

A bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field is generally required for this position, and some employers may prefer candidates who have at least two years of managerial experience, as well as experience with a variety of computer programs. (Copyright 2018 PayScale.com)

Office Manager Tasks

• Greet visitors and callers, route and resolve information requests.
• Supervise support clerical staff.
• Review, track and prepare budgets; maintain records and databases.
• Coordinate space and office organization; purchase and manage supplies and equipment.
• Coordinate office and/or departmental operations.