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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.

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.

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.

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

Office managers may move into related roles that use similar skills such as:

• Event manager
• Project manager
• Property manager 

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.