How To Hire An Office Manager

An Office Manager is the organizational backbone of a business, responsible for maintaining smooth operations, supporting employee productivity, and fostering a welcoming and efficient workplace environment. From managing vendor relationships to organizing team events, Office Managers wear many hats. Hiring the right Office Manager means your team has the structure and support needed to thrive.

Understanding The Role & Responsibilities

An Office Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration of an office or workplace. Their duties may vary depending on company size and industry, but typically include:

• Managing office supplies, vendor relationships, and equipment maintenance.
• Coordinating meetings, travel, company events, and catering.
• Overseeing reception, mail distribution, and general workplace operations.
• Supporting onboarding for new employees and acting as a liaison to HR or IT.
• Maintaining office policies, budgets, and safety protocols.
• Assisting with basic bookkeeping, scheduling, and internal communications.

In hybrid or remote-first companies, Office Managers may also coordinate virtual team engagement, manage coworking spaces, or oversee office reopening plans.

Skills To Look For In A Great Office Manager

The best Office Managers are proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented. They blend organizational skills with emotional intelligence to support people and processes. Key skills to look for include:

Organization & Time Management

Office Managers juggle many responsibilities at once. Look for candidates who can prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and keep systems running efficiently.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

They are often the first point of contact for vendors, candidates, and employees. Clear communication, professionalism, and a warm demeanor are essential.

Problem-Solving & Initiative

A great Office Manager doesn’t just follow instructions; they see what needs fixing and take action. You want someone who can troubleshoot independently and improve systems.

Budgeting & Vendor Management

Experience managing supply orders, office budgets, and vendor contracts is valuable, especially in larger teams or fast-paced environments.

Tech Savvy

Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, and office management software (like Envoy, Notion, or Concur) is a plus.

Adaptability

Office Managers are often the go-to resource for unexpected issues, like last-minute meeting changes, supply shortages, or building access issues. Agility is key.

Other Transferable Titles

Candidates from related roles often bring valuable experience to the Office Manager position. Consider applicants with titles such as:

Administrative Assistant or Executive Assistant

Admin Assistants and EAs are highly organized, skilled at scheduling, and used to handling day-to-day operational support.

Facilities Coordinator

Focused on workplace safety and logistics, Facilities Coordinators often transition well into office management with a people-first mindset.

People Operations or HR Assistant

Candidates who’ve supported onboarding, culture-building, or internal events often bring cross-functional skills that benefit office operations.

Operations Coordinator

Professionals in this role often manage logistics, workflows, and cross-team coordination, making them a great fit for office management.

Receptionist

Receptionists who’ve taken on additional responsibilities and shown leadership potential may be ready to grow into an Office Manager role.

Interview Questions

Use these questions to assess organizational ability, problem-solving, and cultural alignment:

1. Tell me about a time you improved a process or system in the office. What was the result?
2. How do you prioritize when you have multiple requests coming in at once?
3. What tools or systems have you used to manage office operations or employee support?
4. Describe a time you handled an unexpected issue or workplace emergency. How did you respond?
5. How do you support a positive office culture?
6. What’s your experience managing vendors or negotiating contracts?
7. How do you approach supporting both in-office and remote employees?
8. Tell me about your experience with budgeting or expense tracking.

These questions help evaluate your candidate’s resourcefulness, service mindset, and operational experience.

Evaluating & Making The Final Decision

When narrowing down candidates, look for:

• Demonstrated ownership of office logistics or team support functions.
• Excellent communication and customer-service style demeanor.
• Initiative to solve problems and improve day-to-day operations.
• Experience managing budgets, calendars, and logistics with accuracy.
• A genuine desire to support people and create a thriving work environment.

Consider assigning a practical task, such as outlining a plan for organizing a company offsite or solving a sample scheduling conflict. References can also reveal how candidates handle pressure, multitask, and support team morale.

The right Office Manager will empower your team to focus on their core work because everything behind the scenes is running smoothly.

Partner With Premier

Hiring an Office Manager means investing in the person who keeps your team connected, supported, and organized. Whether you need someone to manage the front desk or oversee office-wide operations, Premier can help.

We specialize in connecting businesses with experienced, resourceful professionals who thrive in fast-paced, people-first environments. Let us help you find the Office Manager who will elevate your workplace. Contact Premier today!