A well-functioning organisation cannot do without an Office Manager. Distributing these tasks temporarily to other departments may seem like a solution in times of cost-cutting, but for organisations that want to grow and think ahead, the role of an Office Manager is essential. Pauline Verheyden, senior consultant at recruitment specialist Robert Walters, explains what exactly an Office Manager does, what the career prospects are and what salary you can expect in this role.

What are the main duties of an Office Manager?

"An Office Manager has a versatile role with various responsibilities that support the day-to-day functioning of the organisation," Pauline explains. "This includes to some extent facility management such as arranging office maintenance, purchasing office equipment, ... so that everyone can get their work done. In some organisations, the Office Manager also takes on some HR tasks such as organising training for staff, doing the initial screening of incoming CVs for certain vacancies or managing the vehicle fleet."

Especially in small structures, it often also includes general administration, ranging from telephone, e-mail and agenda management to the practical organisation of business trips. In an SME where the finance and HR teams are very limited, the range of tasks is even more diverse and the Office Manager will, for example, also take on accounting administration, debtor management and cash planning.

"In larger international companies, the Office Manager usually manages a team of support staff, such as administrative assistants and receptionists," adds Pauline.

Which education and skills are essential for an Office Manager?

While a bachelor's degree in office management is desirable, it is not always required. The main emphasis is placed on soft skills, given the versatility of the role. A good Office Manager must be organisationally strong and flexible, and have good IT skills. Problem-solving skills, proactivity and a strong sense of responsibility are indispensable. Trust and reliability are also essential, as this person often has access to confidential business information.

In addition, good language skills and strong communication skills are a must, as an Office Manager interacts with almost everyone in the organisation.

Employers are often quite strict in their selection criteria for an Office Manager. Since this is a key person, it is important that there is a good fit with the company culture and existing employees.

What does the career of an Office Manager look like?

"The role of Office Manager is usually not an entry-level position, but one into which you can grow after a few years of experience," Pauline knows. "This can be experience in administrative positions, but also from a sales or marketing background. Career opportunities are broad: Office Managers can choose to specialise further in facility management, commercial functions, or communication, both within their own company and outside."

In an SME, an Office Manager can progress to a similar position in a larger organisation, where he or she has more responsibilities, possibly even across several branches.

Finally, how much does an Office Manager earn?

"An Office Manager with 3 to 6 years' experience can expect a gross monthly salary of between EUR 3,200 and EUR 4,500. The size of the organisation he or she ends up in and the scope of tasks and responsibilities play an important role in remuneration. In large organisations, the salary for Office Managers with more than six years' experience can reach EUR 5,500 gross per month or more. In addition, this salary is often supplemented with fringe benefits such as an insurance package, mobile phone, meal vouchers and a laptop. Flexible working hours and working from home are also often part of the package," Pauline concludes.

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