Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Office Manager
What office managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Check in with the front desk team and review staffing for the day. From there, the day usually includes supervise administrative and front office staff, manage office budgets and expenses, and negotiate with and manage vendors. Most work full-time business hours, with occasional early or late days for moves, events or emergencies.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an office manager working full time.
- Check in with the front desk team and review staffing for the day.
- Meet with the IT vendor about new laptops for new hires.
- Review monthly office expenses against budget.
- Coordinate a repair for the conference room HVAC.
- Prepare onboarding packets for two new employees.
- Hold a one-on-one with an administrative assistant.
- Update the office procedures manual.
Where office managers work
Office managers work in offices of every kind, from medical practices and law firms to construction companies and nonprofits. The work is mostly at a desk with frequent interruptions.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time business hours, with occasional early or late days for moves, events or emergencies.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Supervise administrative and front office staff
- Manage office budgets and expenses
- Negotiate with and manage vendors
- Order supplies and manage inventory
- Coordinate facilities, maintenance and IT support
- Support onboarding and HR paperwork
- Create and improve office procedures
Tools you’ll use every day
- Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
- Accounting software such as QuickBooks
- Purchasing and expense tools
- HR and payroll platforms
- Facilities and ticketing systems
- Phone and video systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Leadership role without a required degree
- Variety of responsibilities
- Needed in every industry
- Central role in the organization
What’s hard
- Constant interruptions
- Responsibility for many problems
- Managing people and conflicts
- Budget pressure
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like making things run smoothly
- I’m comfortable leading people
- I can handle constant interruptions
- I like budgets and organization
- I enjoy solving many kinds of problems
- I want to move up from admin work
Not sure? Take the free Office Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Maintain emergency plans and evacuation routes
- Keep first aid supplies stocked
- Address tripping and ergonomic hazards
- Protect confidential employee information