How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role.
How to become Office manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could do a degree in:
- business management
- human resource management
- public administration
Once you've completed your studies, you could apply for a trainee manager position, for example through a company's graduate training scheme.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could take a course at college that would give you some of the skills and knowledge to apply for assistant office manager jobs.
Courses include;
- Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration
- T Level in Management and Administration
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
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Apprenticeship
You can start by doing a business administrator higher apprenticeship.
This typically takes 18 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Work
You could work as an office assistant or supervisor in a company, then move on to become a manager through internal training and promotion.
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Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Administrative Management for professional development and training opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming an office manager from the Institute of Administrative Management.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- business management skills
- administration skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you’ll do
Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As part of your day-to-day duties you may:
- establish policies and procedures for staff
- develop quality control processes
- carry out staff appraisals and measure performance
- deal with disciplinary issues
- prepare reports and give presentations to the senior management team
- manage the office budget
- support staff career development
- attend conferences and training events
- deal with staff recruitment
Working environment
You could work in an office.
You may need to wear smart business clothes.
Career path and progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.
Career path and progression
You could take on more responsibility for managing projects, or provide cover for senior management duties.
With experience and more qualifications you could become a personal assistant or executive officer.
Other career options include moving into buying and procurement, financial management, business development and operations management.
Current opportunities
Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.
Current opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Business Administration Apprenticeship
- Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
- Location: HA8 6LE
APPRENTICE ADMINISTRATOR
- Wage: £13,000 a year Annually
- Location: NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD, LONDON
Courses In England
T Level - Business Management and Administration CG Level 3 Technical
- Provider: DN COLLEGES GROUP
- Start date: 01 September 2025
- Location: Doncaster
L4 Diploma in Business Administration
- Provider: WEST THAMES COLLEGE
- Start date: 23 September 2024
- Location: Isleworth
Jobs In the United Kingdom
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