A senior administrative assistant assists management, supervises entry-level staff, and handles administrative tasks. They manage schedules, travel itineraries, and correspondence, requiring good communication skills and knowledge of the organization’s departments. Ideal candidates have experience in office administration and the organization’s sector.
A senior administrative assistant is an administrative professional who assists one or more members of management within an organization and may also supervise entry-level administrative staff. As organizations grow, they may see an increase in their volume of administrative tasks and require more than just one administrative professional. A senior role is typically required in such an organization to work closely with management and take on administrative functions that carry a higher level of responsibility than that of core staff.
Executives or managers of an organization often require a senior administrative assistant or executive assistant to act as their “gatekeeper” or representative. While an organization’s receptionist or clerk may greet incoming callers and visitors, a senior administrator is often the next point of contact for those wishing to contact management. These folks often manage schedules, travel itineraries, and other appointments for managers in a variety of departments, whether it’s marketing, IT, or human resources.
As they tend to represent the management of an organization in written and verbal correspondence, the most important qualification for people in this position is that they have good communication skills. In this capacity, their responsibilities might include drafting letters and emails, answering phone calls, and doing shorthand. A Senior Administrative Assistant should also have a general understanding of the work of all departments within an organisation. This will prepare him to handle general questions he may receive or direct them to appropriate department personnel.
To become a Senior Administrative Assistant, one should have combined experience in both general office administration and the particular sector of the organisation. In this sense, the ideal candidates are often entry-level administrative professionals already employed within the organization seeking a promotion. Depending on the organisation’s values, some senior roles may place a greater emphasis on academic credentials, while others may be more interested in the candidate’s professional administrative background. Applicants who lack professional administrative experience but have academic experience in related fields, such as typing or secretarial skills training, may be better suited for entry-level administrative employment before applying for a senior position.
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