Office manager

Career path and progression

You could take on more responsibility for managing projects, or provide cover for senior management duties.

With experience and more qualifications you could become a personal assistant or executive officer.

Other career options include moving into buying and procurement, financial management, business development and operations management.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• business management skills
• administration skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Business - Office managers need a strong understanding of how organisations work, including planning, decision-making, and resource management. They manage budgets, develop policies, and contribute to business strategy – all core business concepts.
• Mathematics - Office managers handle budgets, analyse financial reports, and track spending across departments. Being confident with numbers helps them manage resources effectively and present accurate data to senior management.
• English Language - Office managers write reports, draft policies, and communicate with staff at all levels of the organisation. Clear, professional writing and strong verbal communication are essential for everything from emails to presentations.

Also relevant

• Accounting - Office managers are often responsible for managing office budgets, tracking expenditure, and preparing financial summaries. Understanding how to read accounts and manage costs helps them keep the office running within budget.
• Economics - Office managers make decisions about how to allocate limited resources – whether that's staff time, equipment, or money. Understanding economic principles like efficiency and cost-benefit analysis helps them make smarter choices for the organisation.
• Psychology - Office managers deal with staff appraisals, disciplinary issues, recruitment, and career development. Understanding what motivates people, how teams work, and how to handle conflict makes them more effective at managing and supporting their colleagues.
• Sociology - Office managers work with diverse teams and need to create fair, inclusive workplace policies. Understanding how social structures, group dynamics, and organisational culture affect people at work helps them build a positive office environment.