Photo: VeronicaTherese (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Job description
Much of the work involves reviewing how records, mail, and supplies flow through an organization, then recommending and implementing changes when a process is outdated or inefficient. Administrative services managers often train staff directly on new procedures once they're adopted, and set the goals and deadlines their support staff work toward. Because the title covers such a broad support function, the day-to-day varies enormously by employer: it might mean running a law firm's records-retention program in one place and overseeing office supply logistics for a large company in another.
Pros
- Pay can reach $208k without requiring a four-year degree, just vocational training or an associate's
- Faster than average projected job growth (4.6% over the next decade)
- Hours stay closer to standard, capping around 45 rather than 50
Cons
- Regularly dealing with frustrated staff or colleagues over process and policy changes
- Responsible for a broad, often unglamorous mix of support functions (mail, supplies, records)
- Moderate, ongoing time pressure to hit department goals and deadlines
A typical day
By 8:30 the day's small fires are visible: a broken HVAC unit on the third floor, a mailroom backlog, a vendor contract renewal due Friday. The manager works the phones — facilities contractor first, then a supplier to renegotiate pricing on office supplies that quietly became expensive. Midday brings a walkthrough of the building with a safety checklist, then a budget meeting defending next year's maintenance line. The afternoon closes reviewing records-retention procedures and approving purchase orders. Nothing about the day is glamorous; all of it is what keeps two hundred coworkers able to do their jobs.
Tasks at the job
- Analyze internal processes and recommend and implement procedural or policy changes to improve operations, such as supply changes or the disposal of records.
- Conduct classes to teach procedures to staff.
- Prepare and review operational reports and schedules to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
- Set goals and deadlines for the department.
- Acquire, distribute and store supplies.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting.
There's a regular, moderate amount of time pressure, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. You'll regularly deal with frustrated or upset people as part of the job, and almost all of the work is done as part of a team.
Education necessary or common
Vocational training, apprenticeship, or associate's degree
Common college majors
Licenses & certifications
- CAM (Certified Administrative Manager, optional)
- FMP (Facility Management Professional, optional)
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- Intro to Business — operations vocabulary and logic
- Accounting — budgets are the manager's scoreboard
- AP English Language — policies, memos, and vendor negotiations happen in writing
- Statistics — comparing vendor bids and usage data
- Computer Applications — spreadsheets and facility systems run the office
Clubs, activities & competitions
- FBLA
- Student government — operations and logistics roles especially
- Manage logistics for a school event (dance, tournament, fundraiser)
- Part-time job with any opening/closing or inventory responsibility
First steps you can take now
- Volunteer to run logistics for one school event end-to-end, with a written budget
- Interview an office manager or facilities manager about a typical week
- Build a spreadsheet comparing three real vendors for one product, with a recommendation
- Take a free intro project-management course online
