Administrative Services Managers Career

Why Choose an Administrative Services Manager Career?

Administrative services managers work across economies and industries owing to the supportive nature of their job. They provide services for various organizations, from large government agencies to small businesses, helping improve efficiency related to both personnel (such as payroll and records, secretarial and reception, conference planning and travel) and physical administration (such as mail, information and data processing, materials scheduling and distribution, telecommunications management, real estate and security and parking). In fact, administrative services managers can be used in any sphere of the work environment. This makes this career path a preferred choice of many students, especially those with good leadership and communication skills and those interested in working with a diverse range of people.

Administrative Services Manager Career Requirements

Administrative services managers should be analytical, detail-oriented, flexible, decisive, and possess good communication skills. They should be able to lead by example and manage teams of managers, supervisors, professionals, clerks and blue-collar workers. It is their job to multi-task and coordinate several activities at once, quickly analyze and resolve specific problems, cope with deadlines and take responsibility to complete tasks in time. Persons with any undergraduate or graduate degree can work in this position, including engineering, architecture, construction management, business administration, or facility management. Many come from a real estate, construction, or interior design background, in addition to managerial experience. Some possess degrees in administration,but online degrees are starting to win ground.

Online Degrees for Administrative Services Managers

Administrative services managers may opt to complete a bachelor’s program in Administrative Office Management to equip them for this job. Coursework for this program is designed to prepare students to effectively run and manage an office. Students are taught how to use a variety of computer applications, including databases, word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software, accounting programs and business management software. Business law, ethics, accounting and principles of supervision are some specific topics of study. Other common courses in an administrative office management bachelor's degree include:

• Principles of Office Management
• Business Law
• Office Accounting
• Introduction to Microcomputers
• Office Procedures
• Human Relations in the Office
• Mathematics for Business
• Strategic Management

Administrative services managers looking to become facility managers may have an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, business administration, or facility management. A background in real estate, construction, or interior design, combined with managerial experience is considered most suitable for the position.

Apart from the person’s educational background, related work experience that reflects their ability to handle the work they are seeking is the most important selection criteria that set one candidate apart from the other. It is this aspect that is often reflected in the field of the administrative services where it is not uncommon to find that people rise through the ranks rather than achieve a position owing to academic credentials alone. So a person who joins at an entry level position in administrative services of a company is more likely to be promoted to the mid-level and later to the upper echelons of the organization after some years’ of experience than another person who wants to get into that position directly. In sum, exhibiting job loyalty pays richer dividends in this line of work than job hopping.

Administrative Services Manager Career Fields

Virtually every industry and type of business requires a person to manage its administrative aspects of work. The knowledge gained and skills learned in an administrative office management program are, therefore, relevant in and find application in a wide variety of industries and positions. Some possible job titles for people working in the field of administrative office management include the following:

• Office Manager
• Administrative Professional
• Administrative Support Specialist
• Administrative Manager
• Corporate Administrator
• Facilities Operations Manager
• Office Administrator

Many of the posts mentioned above are peopled by those who advanced through the ranks of their organization, acquiring work experience in various administrative positions before assuming first-line supervisory duties. This is because all managers who direct departmental supervisors need to be familiar with office procedures and equipment rather than simply have academic knowledge of the same. For instance, managers of personal property acquisition and disposal need experience in purchasing and sales, and knowledge of a variety of supplies, machinery, and equipment; managers handling supply, inventory, and distribution need to be experienced in receiving, warehousing, packaging, shipping, transportation, and related operations. Similarly, contract administrators should have worked as contract specialists, cost analysts, or procurement specialists before coming to the post. Managers of unclaimed property often have experience in insurance claims analysis and records management.

While experience and past performance are the buzzword where administrative services managers are concerned, a relevant background certainly helps in getting the first foot in the door. Opportunities abound in service-oriented industries, including Federal, State, and local government, healthcare, finance and insurance, professional, scientific, and technical services, administrative and support services, and educational services, public and private. Employment is also available in wholesale and retail trade, in management of companies and enterprises, or in manufacturing units.

What Degree Do I Need?

• Public Administration
• Accounting
• Business General
• Business Administration
• Customer Service
• Entrepreneurship
• Insurance & Risk Management
• International Business
• Management & Leadership
• Operations Management
• Retail & Sales
• Catering
• Hospitality Management
• Ethnic Studies
• MBA