Office Manager Role Description & Support

Everything You Need to Know About Office Managers; from why to hire an Office Manager, and how to attract and retain the best talent for your business.

Office Manager Recruitment: Expertly Matched for Seamless Support

Office Managers are the backbone of a well-run workplace, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly while acting as the go-to for staff, suppliers and senior leadership.

Whether you’re a growing business, a busy executive or overseeing multiple functions, hiring the right Office Manager can transform your working environment.

This page is designed to help you understand what an Office Manager does, what makes someone successful in the role, and how to attract and hire the right person. Drawing on our vast amount of experience in Office Manager recruitment, our team shares insight into how to recruit an Office Manager who not only delivers, but fits your business from day one.

What Is an Office Manager?

An Office Manager is responsible for the smooth and efficient running of a business’s operations.

This includes overseeing administrative processes, managing office budgets, coordinating teams and ensuring that the physical or remote working environment supports productivity.

Core responsibilities often include:

  • Managing office supplies and facilities
  • Overseeing health and safety compliance
  • Coordinating contractors, suppliers and IT services
  • Supporting HR administration and onboarding
  • Leading or supervising administrative and support staff
  • Managing internal communications and office culture
  • Organising team events, training or travel logistics
  • Overseeing budgets and supplier invoices

In smaller businesses, the Office Manager may also take on elements of HR, finance or PA duties. In larger organisations, the role may be more focused on operations and people management.

Why Hire an Office Manager?

A strong Office Manager frees up senior leadership to focus on growth, strategy and clients.

They bring structure, consistency and professionalism to your operations, acting as a central point of communication across departments.

Key benefits of hiring an Office Manager include:

  • Improved workplace efficiency and organisation
  • A single point of accountability for office or hybrid logistics
  • Better employee experience and morale
  • Time savings for directors and managers
  • Compliance with legal and safety requirements
  • Professional handling of vendors, visitors and facilities

Whether you’re expanding your team or filling a critical gap, an Office Manager quickly becomes integral to your business infrastructure.

Office Manager Jobs

Office Manager roles vary widely depending on company size, sector and structure. Some are standalone positions supporting founders or senior leaders, while others involve managing a wider support team or overseeing office operations across multiple locations.

To succeed in an Office Manager role, candidates need:

  • Strong organisational and multitasking ability
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Confidence working independently and making decisions
  • A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
  • Discretion and professionalism, particularly when handling sensitive tasks
  • Proficiency with office software and systems (e.g. Microsoft 365, HR platforms, finance tools)

Progression and Career Development

With the right experience, Office Managers can move into:

  • Operations Manager roles
  • HR or People Management positions
  • Executive Assistant or Chief of Staff roles
  • Project or Facilities Management

The skills gained in an Office Manager position are highly transferable and well-respected across many sectors.

Office Manager Salaries

Office Manager salaries vary by location, industry and responsibilities. Based on recent placements:

In Manchester:

  • Office Manager: £30,000 to £48,000 per annum

In London:

  • Office Manager: £35,000 to £60,000 per annum

Roles involving multiple functions, international coordination or direct staff management often command higher salaries.

In addition to a competitive salary, Office Managers often receive:

  • Discretionary bonuses
  • Private medical insurance
  • Professional development budgets
  • Enhanced pension schemes
  • Flexible or hybrid working arrangements

How to Hire an Office Manager

Hiring the right Office Manager involves understanding the full scope of the role and the qualities that make someone effective in the position.

We recommend:

  • Creating a clear job description that outlines your expectations, working style and team structure
  • Being transparent about company culture, team size and reporting lines
  • Interviewing for cultural fit as well as capability
  • Offering progression, training or flexibility to attract top candidates
  • Working with a specialist recruiter to access pre-vetted talent

Need help writing a job description? View our Office Manager Job Description Template

Why Use a Specialist Office Manager Recruitment Agency?

Working with a specialist recruiter takes the pressure off hiring and ensures you’re introduced only to candidates who meet your criteria.

At Lily Shippen, we:

  • Recruit Office Managers across the UK and internationally
  • Work across sectors including professional services, property, private equity, technology and start-ups
  • Meet every candidate before introducing them to clients
  • Provide honest advice, salary benchmarking and role positioning
  • Understand the nuance and flexibility required in business support recruitment

With a vast amount of experience across our team, we understand what makes a great Office Manager, and how to ensure the right match from the start.

Ready to recruit? Submit your vacancy or contact our team today

Office Manager FAQs

An Office Manager typically focuses on daily office administration and team coordination, while an Operations Manager may handle broader business functions including logistics, finance and workflow processes.

It can be. While some Office Manager positions are entry or mid-level, others sit at a senior level and report directly to directors, often with influence over HR, culture and office-wide systems.

Most roles require prior experience in administration, coordination or office support. Candidates often transition from PA, Team Assistant or Facilities roles.

While many roles are office-based or hybrid, some businesses do offer remote-first Office Manager roles, particularly where the team or business operates virtually.

We recruit Office Managers in London, Manchester, Cheshire, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and across the UK. We also support international placements.