What does an office manager do?
Office managers oversee the entire workplace. They maintain office processes and services to ensure that everything is running well. They manage office supplies by managing inventory and procurement procedures. They also device filing systems, create needed and relevant office policies, and ensure that all the policies are being followed. As a way to make sure that the office is in top shape, office managers supervise most of the logistical aspects inside the office. They also provide support to both management teams and the rest of the employees. They often act as the bridge between the two and would sometimes even assist in the training of new employees.
Office manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real office manager resumes:
- Manage international team development of RFP for new MPLS global network services.
- Produce around $100k month sales/ billings, AIA documents, and manage customer accounts.
- Monitor and manage the HVAC environment and nightly office cleaning performance for maximum comfort, appearance and functionality.
- Manage PMO office functions including creation of strategic plan, marketing of services, and resource and project planning.
- Manage production of an RFP to source $60m in software and services and manage a subset of the subsequent implementation.
- Manage daily functions and systems to ensure patients receive appropriate accommodations under HIPAA guidelines.
- Coordinate and direct support staff in the areas of facilities management, mailroom operations and space planning/development.
- Submit AIA documentation for billing and close out manuals.
- Draft detailed drawings in AutoCAD, perform field measures and write estimates.
- Create an EMR manual for all 5 practices and implement training of all staff and physicians.
- Require to learn the science of HVAC systems to help technicians with troubleshooting and locating parts.
- Maintain smooth operation of the general administrative responsibilities of the company with a financial oversight on the business.
- Play an instrumental role in assisting with the implementation of new electronic medical records (EMR) software.
- Draft commercial and residential buildings using AutoCad.
- Interview and hire administrative personnel including receptionist and mailroom staff.
Office manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Office Managers are proficient in Customer Service, Patients, and Financial Statements. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Office Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 19%
Developed and implemented new supervisor training, including management processes, business etiquette, customer service skills and conflict resolution.
- Patients, 13%
Called patients periodically for encouragement and to form a relationship with open communication during this personal time.
- Financial Statements, 6%
Managed inventory weekly, prepared financial statements, handled marketing, and managed internal business operations with and without direct supervision.
- Office Operations, 4%
Managed all daily office operations including accounts receivable/payable, billing, insurance processing, confidential patient files, and scheduled appointments.
- Office Equipment, 4%
Facilitated completion of incorporation filing, acquisition of office equipment and establishment of financial accounts, insurance policies, and payroll.
- Scheduling Appointments, 4%
Performed daily operations of business including general accounting, ordering equipment and supplies, scheduling appointments, and supervising employees.
Common skills that an office manager uses to do their job include "customer service," "patients," and "financial statements." You can find details on the most important office manager responsibilities below.
Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an office manager to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Office managers often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "acquired excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the patients and team members. "
Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling office manager duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." According to an office manager resume, here's how office managers can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "prepared organizational budget and monthly financial reports. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of office managers is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday office manager duties, as "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assisted president of company daily with scheduling appointments/meetings, writing of contracts and general office tasks. "
The three companies that hire the most office managers are:
- Aspen Dental175 office managers jobs
- Robert Half98 office managers jobs
- Metropolitan State University of Denver65 office managers jobs
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Compare different office managers
Office manager vs. Account manager and customer service manager
A coordinator/manager is an individual who is responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations of a facility by following a set of policies and guidelines. Coordinators/managers collaborate with board members to ensure the overall quality of the facility and maintain inventory levels for all components and parts. They negotiate with vendors on contracts and fees as well as provides the overall budget for facility projects. Coordinators/managers must also train staff and employees regarding facility procedures and safety codes.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an office manager are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "patients," "financial statements," and "office operations." On the other hand, a job as an account manager and customer service manager requires skills like "account management," "purchase orders," "vendor invoices," and "payroll." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that account manager and customer service managers earn slightly differ from office managers. In particular, account manager and customer service managers are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an office manager. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Office manager vs. Coordinator/manager
Assistant business managers perform the liaising of clients. The managers prepare presentations, maintain calendars, update company records, and write reports. They find solutions to the issues raised by their customers and complete the other tasks given to them. It is their responsibility to oversee the support services of organizations. They supervise office staff and administrative assistants. Also, they set the deadlines for corporate goals other than the budget and work schedules. Skills in leadership, communication, and business management are necessary for this job.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that office manager responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "financial statements," "office operations," and "office equipment." But a coordinator/manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "social work," "oversight," "discharge planning," and "community resources."
In general, coordinator/managers achieve higher levels of education than office managers. They're 7.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Office manager vs. Assistant business manager
An administrative manager is an employee responsible for supervising an organization's standard clerical and administrative process such as faxing, photocopying, and liaise between employees and the management. Executive managers would assist human resource (HR) professionals in recruiting and training new administrative employees and reporting their government's progress. They help organize meeting schedules of different departments and assists with various events. They also respond to incoming communications and create written and typed reports such as memos and business letters.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an office manager is likely to be skilled in "patients," "financial statements," "office operations," and "office equipment," while a typical assistant business manager is skilled in "yardi," "market research," "sales associates," and "resident functions."
Assistant business managers earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $71,853. Office managers earn the highest pay from the construction industry, with an average salary of $53,450.assistant business managers typically earn higher educational levels compared to office managers. Specifically, they're 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Office manager vs. Administrative manager
Types of office manager
Updated January 8, 2025
