An administrator is often a very underrated job, but one that has as many roles as there are different industries.
Administrators can have a variety of roles depending on the industry they are in, ranging from organising meetings and typing documents, to managing teams of workers and ensuring the correct procedures are in place.
We look at 5 different administrator roles and the skill sets you’ll need to attain to thrive in them.
Admin Assistant
When people think about administrators, this is most often the role they call to mind.
An admin assistant is also known as an office administrator or clerical assistant. Among other tasks, they support organisations and businesses by organising meetings, doing paperwork and updating records and filing. Annual salaries range, on average, from £14,000 to £28,000.
Valuable skills for this role include:
- Administration skills
- A willingness to learn
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Time management skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
- Computer skills, especially competency with the main software packages
Arts Administrator
In this role, you will help organise arts events and exhibitions, look after buildings like museums and theatres, manage personnel, administrative tasks, budget management, fundraising, marketing and liaising with artists.
On average, annual salaries range from £15,000 to £30,000.
Skills needed for this role include:
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of and interest in the arts
- Time-management
- Teamwork
- Project management
- Computer skills
- Customer service
- Flexibility and adaptability
Estates Officer
Estates officers manage large properties belonging to local councils and public bodies or organisations. They need to ensure that the land or property is effectively maintained in terms of usage and economic value.
Duties may include assessing rent, dealing with tenancy applications for housing and businesses, organising and checking repairs, organising and monitoring building or engineering works and overseeing land management and environmental issues. On average, annual salaries range from £25,000 to £52,000.
Skills you’ll need include:
- Business management
- Administration skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer service skills
- Economic and accounting skills
- Patience and calm in stressful situations
- Teamwork
- Initiative
- Computer skills
Additionally, it might be useful to have a driver’s license, especially if you are working across several sites or in the countryside (with limited access to public transport).
GP Practice Manager
General Practitioner or GP surgery managers run the business side of doctors’ surgeries and health centres. They ensure that the practice runs efficiently for both patients and doctors.
Their role may include managing the practice’s budget, recruiting, training and managing administration staff, ensuring the appointments system runs smoothly and patient records are in order, controlling supplies of drugs and equipment, handling patient complaints, and arranging and overseeing cleaning, security, and health and safety compliance. On average, annual salaries range from £27,000 to £65,000.
Essential skills include.
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Business Management
- Computer skills
- Teamwork
- Administration skills
- Patience and the ability to stay calm in stressful situations
- Financial skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
Health and Safety Adviser
These administrators have the important job of minimising or reducing accidents, injuries and health problems in the workplace.
They need to be able to assess and identify risks, and how they can be reduced, develop internal policy and health and safety strategies, and regularly inspect sites to ensure policies and procedures are implemented. Overall, they promote a positive health and safety culture in the workplace. Annual salaries range, on average, from £22,000 to £50,000.
Skills you need to have include:
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of government health and safety regulations
- Computer skills
- Teamwork
- Knowledge of public safety and security
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving
- Initiative
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical skills
Interested in seeing what administrator opportunities there are in your area? Contact Simpson Dean Recruitment or visit the vacancies page.