What does an Office Manager do?

Office Managers play a major role in ensuring the health, safety, stability and overall success of their place of employment. They work under the guidance of upper management to guide employees and shape office operations to fit the company’s vision and goals.

Depending on the size and hierarchy of each company, Office Managers may concentrate more on daily administrative work or be more hands-on with hiring, budget concerns and company policies.

Office Manager skills and qualifications

In many ways, Office Managers act as the face of the company. Therefore, soft skills may be a priority. When interviewing Office manager candidates, you may want to ask about both soft and technical skills to identify well-rounded individuals with the greatest potential for success.

Your job description for an Office Manager may have these key skills and qualifications:

• Exceptional organizational ability and multitasking skills
• Flexible enough to adapt to changing office needs and to-do lists
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for professional presentations, reports, phone calls and emails
• Willingness to collaborate with other employees and vendors
• Understanding of common office software and programs, such as inventory management software and budgeting platforms
• Attention to detail when creating and refining documentation
• Working knowledge of human resources best practices, hiring procedures and training modules
• Financial acumen to manage office expenses

Office Manager experience requirements

Employers may prefer or require Office Manager applicants to have prior experience in an administrative or office leadership role, such as an Office Assistant, Office Coordinator or Administrative Assistant position. These can help candidates leverage transferable skills, such as communication, organization and task management.

Office Manager education and training requirements

The Office Manager role can be well-suited to a skills-first hiring approach. Many candidates develop the necessary skills through hands-on experience in similar roles. For example, you might look for candidates with customer service or supervisor experience. Both roles generally require conflict resolution, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Office Manager job description doesn’t quite align with your current needs, check out these other job description guides for related positions:

• Office Assistant
• Administrative Manager
• Office Clerk
• Office Coordinator

Office Manager job description FAQs

Who does an Office Manager report to?

Office Managers typically report to a senior-level employee, such as a Director of Operations or the company’s Vice President. In larger companies, Office Managers might report to a departmental head or even an Executive Assistant. In smaller companies, Office Managers may report directly to the company owner, Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

What’s the difference between an Office Manager and an Office Administrator?

Office Managers have a broader role that includes major decisions about what happens in and around the office. Office Managers may help set goals, develop policies, manage the office budget and guide staff members.

Office Administrators may have a narrower focus that primarily concentrates on completing daily administrative tasks. They might manage schedules, coordinate travel arrangements, organize paperwork and execute tasks laid out by the Office Manager.

What qualities help make a successful Office Manager?

A successful Office Manager often exhibits strong organizational abilities combined with a talent for efficient multitasking. Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability can be beneficial when a strategy doesn’t go to plan. Office Managers with well-developed verbal and written communication skills may be best positioned to build relationships with vendors, clients and other employees.