Administrative Manager

In this career guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about administration as a career, from roles and responsibilities, to work environment and roadmap to becoming an Administrative Manager.

Who's an Administrative Manager?

Every office has at least one person or team looking after the organisation and its functioning. That is what an Administrative Manager does. As an administrative manager, you are the person who looks into the day-to-day running of your organisation. This could involve everything from making sure that the office supplies are stocked to calculating the ‘payroll’ of employees by keeping a note of the number of days and/or hours they spent working. You are the person everyone in your office will come to every time they have an issue with the functioning of the office.

Every organisation, from a small clinic to a multinational corporation, needs administrative managers. The extent of your role will have a lot to do with the organisation you choose to work with.

 

What will you do?

Coordinating, planning and streamlining administrative processes.

You will look into all the processes an organisation implements to run smoothly. You will coordinate with different team members, implement new processes and find newer, more efficient ways to make an existing process better.

Example: During appraisals, you would coordinate with team leads and employees to make sure all performance reviews have been conducted fairly and on time.

Handling joining formalities for new recruits.

This would involve providing them with a designated spot, arranging for their induction programme by coordinating with the relevant team leads. You would also make sure they have everything they need in terms of work material.

Example: You will coordinate with IT to make sure they have a computer to work on. You would give them the office stationery they would need.

Managing schedules and deadlines.

You will ensure that the targets and timelines of administrative procedures such as payrolls and appraisals are met. This means you’re the person who makes sure that all the employees receive their salaries on time.

Example: At the end of the month, you will take note of all the hours put in by the employees, calculate leaves, and accordingly streamline the payment process.

Managing the inventory of office supplies.

You will have to keep a check on the office stationery supplies, technological requirements, etc., and ensure everything is in place. If there is a need to restock, you will be the one coordinating with vendors and buying the necessary supplies within the budget assigned to you.

Example: If the current stock of computers is over, you will have to look at buying some more in case of new recruits or backups required.

Organising and overseeing office activities.

You will look into event planning, renovation of the office space, repairs and more.

Example: You will ensure that all necessary material is available in the office such as first aid kits. You will also ensure that the office is well-maintained, all lights are regularly changed and ACs are serviced..

Overseeing finances and budgets.

You have to run office operations in the administration budget assigned to you every month. Depending on your role and the size of the organisation you work in, you might even have to set budgets for the month. You will also look at ways to reduce the cost of supplies and monitor the flow of money.

Example: You would evaluate different vendors for office supplies and choose the one that best fits your budget.

Take the Mentoria career assessment test, to find out how well-suited you are as an Admin Manager.

Where will you work?

Office

Since you would be handling operational activities of an organisation, you would be required to visit the office almost each day. Most of your time would be spent here. 

Market

You may have to visit your vendors from time to time to negotiate deals, check your order, sign off on deals, etc. 

On Site

If your office is organising an event or a seminar in a place other than the office, you will have to go along to ensure all the arrangements are properly made and in place. 

How do you get there?

STEP 1: XI-XII/ Junior College

Pursue arts in junior college with a special focus on English to help develop your language and communication skills. Make sure to score well and secure at least 60% marks in Class 12.

STEP 2: Graduation

Opt for a three-year Bachelor of Business Administration from colleges like NMIMS (Mumbai), Christ University (Bengaluru), Amity University (Delhi), St. Xavier’s College (Mumbai), etc. This course helps you establish yourself as an efficient, knowledgeable and qualified professional in the field of administration and management

You can also pursue any other course that you’re interested in to get into this field such as BA, a BSc, a BMM or a BMS degree.

STEP 3: Post-graduation

If you wish to work on a senior position from the start of your career, pursue an MBA in Human Resources. This will prepare you to take on duties at a senior-level and will also help you develop your people skills which is essential for the job.

STEP 4: Land a Job

Once you have completed your graduation or post graduation, start looking for jobs. With so many startups sprawling in the country and even big companies expanding its workforce, you can easily find job opportunities as an admin manager.

 

Thinking of a career as an Admin Manager? Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

STEP 1: XI-XII/ Junior College

Pursue commerce in junior college as it will help you with subjects such as mathematics, accountancy, book-keeping, etc., which will help strengthen your basics of an administration post. Make sure to score well and secure at least 60% marks in Class 12.

STEP 2: Graduation

Opt for a three-year Bachelor of Business Administration from colleges like NMIMS (Mumbai), Christ University (Bengaluru), Amity University (Delhi), St. Xavier’s College (Mumbai), etc. This course helps you establish yourself as an efficient, knowledgeable and qualified professional in the field of administration and management

Alternatively, pursue a three-year BCom degree from colleges like Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics (Mumbai), Shri Ram College of Commerce (Delhi), etc. Opting for a BCom course will help you develop skills that are necessary for handling and maintaining office records, planning budgets and negotiating deals.

You can also pursue any other course that you’re interested in to get into this field such as BA, a BSc, a BMM or a BMS degree.

STEP 3: Post-graduation

If you wish to work on a senior position from the start of your career, pursue an MBA in Human Resources. This will prepare you to take on duties at a senior-level and will also help you develop your people skills which is essential for the job.

STEP 4: Land a Job

Once you have completed your graduation or post graduation, start looking for jobs. With so many startups sprawling in the country and even big companies expanding its workforce, you can easily find job opportunities as an admin manager.

 

Thinking of a career as an Admin Manager? Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

STEP 1: XI-XII/ Junior College

Pursue science in junior college if you’re interested in subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology. Make sure to score well and secure at least 60% marks in Class 12.

STEP 2: Graduation

Opt for a three-year Bachelor of Business Administration from colleges like NMIMS (Mumbai), Christ University (Bengaluru), Amity University (Delhi), St. Xavier’s College (Mumbai), etc. This course helps you establish yourself as an efficient, knowledgeable and qualified professional in the field of administration and management

You can also pursue any other course that you’re interested in to get into this field such as BA, a BSc, a BMM or a BMS degree.

STEP 3: Post-graduation

If you wish to work on a senior position from the start of your career, pursue an MBA in Human Resources. This will prepare you to take on duties at a senior-level and will also help you develop your people skills which is essential for the job.

STEP 4: Land a Job

Once you have completed your graduation or post graduation, start looking for jobs. With so many startups sprawling in the country and even big companies expanding its workforce, you can easily find job opportunities as an admin manager.

 

Thinking of a career as an Admin Manager? Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

What skills would you need?

Communication Skills

Communication Skills

Communication skills are the ability to clearly express ideas, information, and feelings, both verbally and in writing, so others can easily understand. This includes listening effectively, using the right tone, and being aware of non-verbal cues like body language. These skills help you explain your thoughts clearly, build relationships, and work better in teams. Good communication is important in almost every job, from customer service to leadership roles, because it ensures that tasks are understood and done correctly, and it helps prevent misunderstandings. build this skill
Technical Skills

Technical Skills

Technical skills refer to the specific knowledge and abilities required to perform particular tasks, often related to technology, engineering, computer science, or specialized fields. These skills encompass a wide range of competencies, including proficiency in software applications, programming languages, data analysis tools, and technical writing. Mastering technical skills allows individuals to effectively utilise tools and technologies relevant to their job roles. Strong technical skills will enable professionals to troubleshoot issues, implement solutions, and contribute to innovation within their organisations. build this skill
Analytical and Data Skills

Analytical and Data Skills

Analytical and data skills involve the ability to evaluate information, interpret data, and draw insights to solve problems or make informed decisions. These skills require critical thinking, logical reasoning, and proficiency in working with data sets, often using tools like Excel, SQL, or statistical software. This skill set helps you break down complex problems, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions. In the workplace, strong analytical and data skills allow you to provide insights that guide strategies, optimise processes, and drive innovation. They are essential for roles involving research, business analysis, marketing, finance, and operations. build this skill

How do you make it to the top ranks?

  • promotion-1
  • promotion-2
  • promotion-3
  • promotion-4
  • promotion-7

Intern

You would be handling simple tasks such as scheduling meetings, maintaining a record of office stationery, overseeing housekeeping activities, etc.

Administrative Executive

You would be working as a full-time employee in an organisation and handling specific tasks assigned tasks. You would mainly look after coordinating with new joinees, travel bookings, managing office inventory, recruiting housekeeping staff, etc.

Administrative Coordinator

You will answer and route calls, guide visitors to the appropriate parties, field interdepartmental communications, and perform office tasks, including answering emails, delivering or responding to mailings, and maintaining employee and customer records.

Senior Administrator

Your primary job would be to ensure the swift working of the office. You will look after day-to-day operations of the organisation and will be handling tasks such as hiring and overseeing office security, parking, catering and technological issues. Employee’s salaries and vendor payments would be handled by you.

Administrative Manager

You would oversee the work of the administration department as a whole. You would not just take care of operations but also the budgets assigned to you. At times, you would be required to effectively cut costs, plan the budget spent on purchasing house-keeping material, staffing, etc. It will be your responsibility to ensure the office is well maintained, organised and secure.

Pursuing your career locally VS overseas

If you pursue a career in administration in India, you would get a good understanding of the market, which would make it easy for you to get a job here. There is a huge demand for administrative managers in India as a lot of startups are mushrooming in the city on a frequent basis. So in terms of job opportunities, you have plenty of options here. After pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you can opt for a diploma or master’s in office administration. Pursuing administration would cost you an average of INR 50,000 – INR 3,00,000 depending on the university and course. Top colleges from where you can pursue an administration career in India are DR. NGP Arts and Science College, Institute of Technology and Management, Central India Institute of Management Studies (CIIMS) and others.

Studying administration abroad would further help you broaden your knowledge in the filed as colleges abroad don’t just offer you theoretical study, but also practical knowledge. Many colleges abroad have campus selection facilities that makes it easy for you to secure a job there. It is hard to look for a job abroad with an Indian Bachelor’s degree, but you can always look to build a good network and get a job there. Studying abroad would teach you different business functions and how you can effectively handle employees and ensure swift working of the daily activities of an organisation. Pursuing administration studies abroad could cost you anywhere between INR 3,00,000 – INR 12,00,000 depending on the university and specialisation you opt for.

How much would you get paid?

The exact number will depend on where you’re working, your education, skill-set and internship experience. But we can give you a general idea.


What are your career options?

Reception

When you enter an office space, someone needs to be there to guide you. That’s what a receptionist does. A receptionist is a professional who welcomes clients and guests.Your primary job is to answer phone calls, schedule appointments, escort visitors, etc.

Accounting

An accountant is a professional who prepares and examines financial records of a company. You must ensure that the company pays its taxes on time. You will process employee salaries, perform yearly financial reviews, and curate a plan of action for the company to improve its financial status.

Data Entry

You will specialise in organising and storing data for the company. You will be completely in charge of a company’s paper documentation process and generally work on huge amounts of data. It is important for you to be proficient with using various data entry tools and have good computer skills.

IT

IT Managers are in charge of installation and maintenance of computer and laptop systems in an organisation. You will ensure that individuals are provided with tools to increase their work efficiency. You will supervise the set up of a workstation and also install the required software in computer systems. You will also manage a company’s technological inventory and coordinate with internet providers.

Sign‌ ‌Up‌ ‌for‌ ‌Mentoria‌ ‌-‌ ‌India’s‌ ‌Most‌ ‌Reliable‌ ‌Career‌ ‌Discovery‌ ‌Platform‌ ‌

Mentoria‌ ‌promises‌ ‌to‌ ‌handhold‌ ‌you‌ ‌during ‌your‌ ‌career‌ ‌discovery‌ ‌journey‌ ‌-‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌time‌ ‌you‌ ‌sign‌ ‌up‌ ‌until‌ ‌you‌ ‌get‌ ‌into‌ ‌a‌ ‌career‌ ‌you‌ ‌love.‌

 

You’ve only scratched the surface.

Unlock the full Mentoria Solution to get helpful updates on your chosen industry!

UNLOCK NOW