Guide to Becoming an Administrative Services Manager

Administrative Services Manager Career Video

Introduction

Administrative Services Managers play a crucial role in ensuring that organizations run smoothly. From overseeing facilities and records to managing budgets and supervising support staff, these professionals provide the backbone of organizational efficiency. If you’re detail-oriented, skilled at coordinating people and processes, and motivated by improving workplace operations, this may be a career worth considering.

But is it the right fit for you? This article will walk you through what Administrative Services Managers do, where they work, how to become one, their salary outlook, the pros and cons, and related careers.

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What Does an Administrative Services Manager Do?

Administrative Services Managers, also known as business operations managers or facilities managers, are responsible for coordinating the support services that keep organizations running smoothly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and O*NET OnLine, these professionals plan, direct, and oversee a broad range of administrative and operational functions, with their exact duties often varying depending on the size and type of organization.

Key Responsibilities

Facility and Property Management – Ensure buildings, grounds, and office equipment are maintained, repaired, and operating safely and efficiently.
Records and Information Management – Oversee the creation, organization, storage, and security of records to maintain compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Budget and Contract Oversight – Develop and monitor departmental budgets, negotiate contracts, and manage the purchasing of goods and services.
Supervision of Staff – Lead administrative and support personnel by assigning tasks, setting goals, and reviewing performance.
Health, Safety, and Compliance – Establish and enforce workplace safety protocols, emergency preparedness plans, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Operational Efficiency and Strategy – Analyze processes, recommend cost-saving measures, and integrate technology solutions to improve workflow and reduce waste.
Vendor and Resource Coordination – Manage relationships with external service providers, including cleaning, security, and maintenance contractors.

Role Differences by Organization Size

In smaller organizations, Administrative Services Managers often wear multiple hats, handling tasks such as purchasing supplies, maintaining facilities, and supervising clerical staff simultaneously.
In larger organizations, the role tends to be more specialized. For instance, a manager may focus exclusively on records management, mail distribution, or facility operations, while other managers handle separate aspects of administrative support.

In short, Administrative Services Managers act as the backbone of organizational efficiency, ensuring that operations run smoothly, resources are managed responsibly, and employees have the support they need to be productive.

What Is the Working Environment for an Administrative Services Manager?

Administrative Services Managers typically work in office environments but may frequently interact with other departments, vendors, and contractors.

Work Settings

Government agencies – managing facilities, contracts, and records.
Educational institutions – ensuring efficient operation of campuses and offices.
Healthcare organizations – overseeing compliance and administrative workflows.
Corporate offices – coordinating services that support business operations.

Work Schedule

Most work full-time during standard business hours, though overtime may be required when deadlines approach or emergencies arise (e.g., a facility issue). Managers in facilities and operations may also need to be on call after hours.

Physical Demands

While primarily an office job, there may be occasional site inspections, meetings with contractors, or reviews of facility operations that require walking, standing, or travel.

How Do You Become an Administrative Services Manager?

The path to becoming an Administrative Services Manager usually requires a combination of education, experience, and leadership skills.

Education

A bachelor’s degree is the standard requirement, often in business administration, management, or a related field.
Degrees in facility management, information management, or public administration can also be helpful, depending on specialization.

Work Experience

Many employers require several years of experience in management, administrative support, or a related role.
Supervisory experience is often essential, as the role requires leading teams.

Certifications and Training

While not always required, certifications can improve your career prospects:

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Professional Certifications for Administrative Services Managers

Earning a professional certification can enhance your credibility and career prospects in administrative management. Consider the following options:

Certified Manager (CM) – offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM).
Facility Management Professional (FMP) – offered by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).
Certified Records Manager (CRM) – offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM).

Career Path

Start in administrative or office support roles.
Move into supervisory or team leader positions.
Advance into Administrative Services Manager roles.

For more details, see the O*NET Administrative Services Managers page.

What Is the Salary of an Administrative Services Manager?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for Administrative Services and Facilities Managers was $103,330 in May 2023.

Top 10% earned more than $175,350.
Lowest 10% earned less than $61,870.

Reference: BLS Salary Guide for Administrative Services Manager.

What Is the Labor Market for an Administrative Services Manager?

The job outlook for Administrative Services Managers is favorable.

Growth Outlook (2022–2032): Employment is projected to grow 5%, faster than the average for all occupations
Job Openings: About 31,400 openings are expected each year due to retirements, promotions, and workforce turnover.
Industry Demand: Growing emphasis on regulatory compliance, facility safety, and efficiency continues to drive demand.

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Are the Pros and Cons of Being an Administrative Services Manager?

Pros

High Salary Potential – well above the national average.
Diverse Responsibilities – opportunity to work across many aspects of operations.
Job Stability – strong demand across industries.
Leadership Opportunities – managing staff and shaping organizational efficiency.

Cons

High Responsibility – managers are accountable for operations, compliance, and budgets.
Stressful Deadlines – facility or administrative issues often require urgent responses.
Complex Regulations – need to stay current on evolving legal and compliance requirements.
Long Hours – occasional overtime or on-call work may be necessary.

What Are the Careers Related to Being an Administrative Services Manager?

If you’re exploring related careers, here are some roles you may want to consider (linked to O*NET for more details):

Human Resources Managers – Oversee recruitment, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws.
Facilities Managers – Focus specifically on building operations, maintenance, and safety.
General and Operations Managers – Direct overall operations of businesses or organizations.
Management Analysts – Evaluate and improve organizational efficiency.
Medical and Health Services Managers – Manage healthcare facilities, ensuring compliance and efficiency.

Each of these careers involves leadership, operations, and organizational oversight, though they specialize in different domains.

Administrative Services Manager - An Enterprising Career Path

An Administrative Services Manager aligns with the Enterprising–Conventional–Social personality types in the Holland Code (RIASEC) system. This framework helps match your personality traits with careers that are a good fit. You can discover your personal three-letter Holland Code by taking the Free Career Fit Test™.

People with Enterprising traits excel in leadership roles that involve planning, directing, and making strategic decisions. Administrative Services Managers oversee organizational operations, manage staff, allocate resources, and ensure efficiency across departments.

Conventional individuals thrive in this role because it requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and adherence to policies, procedures, and regulations.

Social qualities also play an important part, as managers must communicate effectively, build relationships with employees, and resolve workplace issues in a fair and professional way.

This career is ideal for individuals who enjoy leadership, problem-solving, and creating streamlined systems that keep organizations running smoothly. It combines responsibility, people skills, and operational management in a dynamic workplace setting.

Extensive List of Enterprising Careers

Here is an extensive list of Enterprising Careers (remember that any career emphasizes two or three Holland types). Also, see our article, Choosing a Career in the Holland Enterprising Field: A Complete Guide for Persuaders.

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, & Hearing Officers
Administrative Services Managers
Advertising & Promotions Managers
Advertising Sales Agents
Agents & Business Managers of Artists, Performers, & Athletes
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Arbitrators, Mediators, & Conciliators
Architectural & Engineering Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Business Continuity Planners
Buyers & Purchasing Agents
Chefs & Head Cooks
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Compensation & Benefits Managers
Compliance Officers
Construction Managers
Construction Trades Supervisor
Correctional Officers Supervisors
Customs Brokers
Demonstrators & Product Promoters
Door-to-Door Sales Workers
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Emergency Management Directors
Entertainment & Recreation Managers
Entertainment & Recreation Supervisor
Environmental Economists
Equal Opportunity Representatives & Officers
Facilities Managers
Farm Labor Contractors
Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers
Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Supervisors
Financial Managers
Firefighting & Prevention Supervisors
Food Preparation & Serving Supervisors
Food Service Managers
Fundraisers
Fundraising Managers
Funeral Home Managers
Gambling Managers
Gambling Services Supervisors
General & Operations Managers
Government Property Inspectors & Investigators
Helpers, Laborers, & Material Movers Supervisors
Hosts & Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, & Coffee Shop
Housekeeping & Janitorial Supervisors
Human Resources Managers
Human Resources Specialists
Industrial Production Managers
Information Technology Project Managers
Instructional Coordinators
Insurance Sales Agents
Investment Fund Managers
Judges, Magistrate Judges, & Magistrates
Judicial Law Clerks
Labor Relations Specialists
Landscaping, Lawn Service, & Groundskeeping Supervisors
Lawyers
Legislators
Lodging Managers
Market Research Analysts & Marketing Specialists
Marketing Managers
Material-Moving Machine & Vehicle Operators Supervisors
Mechanics, Installers, & Repairers Supervisors
Media Programming Directors
Media Technical Directors/Managers
Medical & Health Services Managers
Meeting, Convention, & Event Planners
Natural Sciences Managers
Non-Retail Sales Supervisors
Office & Administrative Support Supervisors
Passenger Attendants Supervisors
Personal Financial Advisors
Personal Service Supervisors
Police & Detectives Supervisors
Postmasters & Mail Superintendents
Production & Operating Supervisors
Project Management Specialists
Property, Real Estate, & Community Association Managers
Public Relations Managers
Public Relations Specialists
Purchasing Managers
Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Sales Agents
Recycling Coordinators
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Retail Sales Supervisors
Retail Salespersons
Sales Engineers
Sales Managers
Sales Representatives of Services
Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing
Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing, Technical & Scientific Products
Search Marketing Strategists
Securities, Commodities, & Financial Services Sales Agents
Security Managers
Security Supervisors
Social & Community Service Managers
Solar Sales Representatives & Assessors
Spa Managers
Supply Chain Managers
Talent Directors
Telemarketers
Training & Development Managers
Transportation, Storage, & Distribution Managers
Travel Agents
Treasurers & Controllers
Umpires, Referees, & Other Sports Officials
Urban & Regional Planners
Wholesale & Retail Buyers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers

To determine which careers best fit you, take a career test such as the Career Fit Test™.

What Types of Jobs Can an Administrative Services Manager Pursue?

Administrative Services Managers can pursue a wide variety of job types, such as:

Corporate Facilities Manager
Records and Information Manager
Government Administrative Manager
Nonprofit Operations Manager
Higher Education Administration Manager
Contract and Procurement Manager

What Websites Are Best for Finding Administrative Services Manager Jobs?

When searching for opportunities, consider these job boards:

USAJobs.gov – federal government positions.
Indeed – broad listings across industries.
LinkedIn Jobs – networking-focused job search.
Glassdoor – includes salary insights and company reviews.
IFMA Job Board – industry-specific listings for facility managers.

How Do I Know if I Should Be an Administrative Services Manager?

Deciding whether to pursue a career as an Administrative Services Manager requires both self-reflection and career exploration. Because this role blends leadership, organization, and strategic planning, it is important to evaluate your strengths, interests, and long-term goals.

Take a Career Aptitude Test

A powerful first step is to take a career aptitude test, such as the Free Career Fit Test™. This tool combines three assessments to give you a well-rounded perspective:

Career Test – Matches your interests with suitable career paths, helping you determine whether your natural inclinations align with management and administrative responsibilities.
Career Aptitude Assessment – Evaluates your skills in areas such as problem-solving, leadership, and organizational ability, which are critical for success in this field.
Personality Trait Quiz – Identifies personal characteristics such as adaptability, decision-making, and communication style, offering insight into how well you may fit the role.

The Premium Report from the Career Fit Test™ goes even further by helping you:

Discover your strengths and growth areas.
Clarify your best career fit among management and administrative roles.
Create a career plan that enables you to live your calling in work you love.

Conduct Informational Interviews

Beyond testing, speaking with experienced Administrative Services Managers can provide valuable perspective. These informational interviews allow you to ask questions such as:

What does a typical day look like in your role?
What are the most rewarding and challenging parts of the job?
How do you balance short-term operational needs with long-term strategy?
What skills or experiences were most critical to your career growth?

Hearing firsthand stories can help you understand the realities of the profession and whether they align with your expectations.

Assess Your Skills and Interests

This career is a strong match if you:

Enjoy leadership and problem-solving – You’ll regularly make decisions, resolve conflicts, and guide teams toward efficiency.
Thrive in structured, organized environments – Much of the role involves planning, creating systems, and ensuring order.
Are comfortable with responsibility – Administrative Services Managers oversee budgets, compliance, facilities, and staff, requiring accountability and sound judgment.
Value continuous improvement – Successful managers look for ways to streamline processes, cut costs, and enhance productivity.

By combining career assessments, informational interviews, and self-reflection, you can confidently decide if becoming an Administrative Services Manager is the right path for you.

How Can I Learn More About a Career as an Administrative Services Manager?

For additional research, check out these resources:

Conclusion

Becoming an Administrative Services Manager can be a highly rewarding career for individuals who enjoy organization, leadership, and problem-solving. With a median salary of over $103,000 and a projected 5% job growth rate, the career offers both financial stability and professional opportunity. However, it also comes with high responsibility and the need to adapt to changing regulations and organizational demands.

If you’re considering this career, begin by taking a career test such as the Free Career Fit Test™. With its career aptitude assessment, personality trait quiz, and detailed Premium Report, you’ll uncover your strengths, understand whether this role aligns with your skills, and design a career path that allows you to thrive in work you love.

How to Become an Administrative Services Manager: Is It the Right Career for You?