What does an administrative services manager do?
Administrative services managers are responsible for business efficiency. From an operations standpoint, they focus on planning, directing and coordinating all of a company’s supportive services. From ordering supplies to ensuring the lights stay on, administrative services managers are involved in all office operations – no matter how large or small.
The administrative services manager role includes a combination of record keeping, general office maintenance, receptionist duties and more. Any task that affects how the office is run can fall under the administrative services manager, so it is important to be detail-oriented and focused since there can be many tasks to manage simultaneously.
According to Mathias Arrfelt, clinical associate professor and associate department chair in the management and entrepreneurship department at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, “Administrative services managers are key to making sure the operational aspects of any business are performed in the most efficient and effective way possible. This means both making the 'correct decisions' as well as using as few resources as possible in the pursuit of organizational goals related to operational excellence within areas like facility and general office management, community and culture building inside and outside of the organizations, as well as team supervision and oversight of important functions.”
The day-to-day job description of an administrative services managers
Daily tasks will vary as an administrative services manager, with some days centered around work on a computer, and others allowing you to be on the move around the office for extended periods of time. Either way, a typical day includes managing the tasks that ensure the office runs successfully.
These duties fall into a variety of categories, including facility management, operations, team management, administration and reception. Several tasks in each category are delegated to the administrative services manager to handle or supervise. This leads to collaborative communication with external vendors as well as an array of details to track.
Typically, this role reports to a member of upper management and works directly with employees, from engineers to project managers, sales representatives or the corporate accountant.
Salary and job outlook for administrative services managers
The median pay for administrative services managers in 2023 was $104,900, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). At 5%, the projected job growth for this position from 2022-2032 is almost double than the average for all occupations.
The degrees that prepare you for the role
A career as an administrative services manager means the responsibility starts with you to cultivate an efficient, effective and successful operation. ASU Online offers two great options for those interested in pursuing the role: A Bachelor of Science in management and a Bachelor of Arts in business with a concentration in business administration.
Professor Arrfelt explained why both programs are good options. “While the BA in business with a business administration concentration includes course work that specifically focuses on the management of business operations, both are excellent choices for students interested in becoming administrative services managers. Both programs prepare you for the role by providing foundational expertise in many business school areas, including economics, management and leadership, marketing, business law and ethics, supply chain, finance, and accounting.”
A good program for an aspiring administrative services manager is one that focuses on both leadership skills and business acumen. Professor Arrfelt elaborated, “This broad role requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills to manage relationships both inside and outside of the organization, an understanding of finance and accounting to properly plan for, allocate, and coordinate resources across the organization, an understanding of individual behavior and team level dynamics to motivate and provide support to individual contributors and to employees working mainly through teams, as well as expertise in supply chain, project, and facility management to supervise and oversee all things operational.”