Office Manager
Kaiwhakahaere Tari
Alternative titles for this job
Office managers are responsible for a range of tasks that make an office run smoothly, including administrative duties, staff supervision and financial work.
Pay
Office managers usually earn
$60K-$85K per year
Source: Hays and PERSOLKELLY, 2023.
Job opportunities
Vocational PathwaysPay
Pay for office managers varies depending on skills and experience.
- Office managers usually earn $60,000 to $85,000 a year.
Source: Hays, 'Salary Guide FY 23/24', 2023; and PERSOLKELLY, '2023-2024 Salary Guide', 2023.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)
What you will do
Office managers may do some or all of the following:
- supervise and plan the work of other administrative staff
- interview and train staff
- manage budgets, accounts, payroll, and prepare financial reports
- ensure the office meets health and safety requirements
- manage facilities and supply ordering
- respond to customer enquiries
- organise meetings, manage events, and take minutes
- maintain records, computer files, databases and websites.
Skills and knowledge
Office managers need to have:
- knowledge of administration policies, systems and procedures
- the ability to supervise and lead staff, including training and conflict management skills
- an understanding of their organisations' policies
- computer skills, including word-processing and using relevant computer software
- the ability to keep information confidential
- an understanding of health and safety in the workplace
- an understanding of relevant legislation such as the Employment Relations Act.
Working conditions
Office managers:
- usually work regular business hours, but may be required to work evenings and weekends to complete projects
- usually work in offices, but may be able to work from home
- may travel to attend conferences, meetings and training courses.
Entry requirements
There are no specific requirements to become an office manager. However, qualifications in business administration, management or human resources may be useful.
Secondary education
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become an office manager. However, NCEA Level 3 English, business studies, accounting, digital technologies and maths are useful.
Personal requirements
Office managers need to be:
- approachable
- able to to communicate, interact and relate to people from a range of different cultures
- able to prioritise tasks
- comfortable working under pressure
- confident decision makers and problem solvers.
Useful experience
Useful experience for office managers includes:
- accountancy or payroll
- administration work
- computer work, such as using administrative software and intranets
- implementing or improving policies, including health and safety
- managing or supervising staff.
Find out more about training
- Association of Administrative Professionals New Zealand (AAPNZ)
- enquiries@aapnz.org.nz - www.aapnz.org.nz
- Skills
- 0508 754 557 - support@skills.org.nz - www.skills.org.nz
What are the chances of getting a job?
Experienced office managers in demand
There is strong demand for experienced office managers who have a broad range of transferable skills. For those wanting to enter the role, it's best to gain experience working in general administration jobs before applying.
According to the Census, 65,907 office managers worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Types of employers varied
Most organisations and industries employ administration staff, so opportunities exist in many areas with a variety of employers.
Office managers may work for small or large employers in a range of different sectors. In a smaller business the office manager may be the only person in an administration role, while in larger businesses they may oversee several staff.
Sources
- Hays, 'FY 2019/20 Salary Guide', 2020, (www.hays.net.nz).
- Gow, P, associate consultant, Robert Walters Wellington, careers.govt.nz interview, March 2020.
- Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)
Progression and specialisations
Office managers may move into related roles that use similar skills such as:
Office managers may manage budgets, accounts, payroll, and prepare financial reports
Last updated 27 March 2024