Management Skills for Office Managers

The office manager role has grown. It now covers people, processes, suppliers, budgets, records, facilities and digital tools, often with a small team and many internal customers. Many office managers were promoted from administrative roles and must now lead former peers, negotiate with senior staff and make decisions under pressure. Without clear systems, the day is taken over by urgent requests and the important work of improving the office is postponed.

This programme builds the core skills in a practical order. It starts with the office manager's role and relationship with senior management, then covers controlling time and workload, leading and developing the office team, communicating and handling conflict, and running efficient office processes, including digital workflows and change.

Built on recognised practice. The programme uses established management tools, including prioritisation matrices and weekly planning methods, the GROW coaching model, the Thomas-Kilmann conflict modes, structured problem solving, basic process mapping and records management principles from ISO 15489-1. They are introduced through realistic office situations rather than as theory.

Decisions this programme improves. Which requests to accept, delegate, schedule or decline; how to divide work across the team; how to respond when two senior managers want different things; when to address a conflict directly; which office processes to standardise or digitise first; and how to present a proposal to senior management.

How it is delivered. Twenty hours across five sessions, built around one running case: an office manager supporting several executives during a busy period with a new team member, a supplier problem and a move to digital workflows. Participants plan a week, run delegation and feedback role plays, resolve a conflict scenario and map and improve an office process.

In-house option. For organisations, the programme can be tailored to your own office structure, systems and procedures, and delivered to office managers and executive assistants across departments so that practices become consistent.

Who Should Attend

Office managers and administrative managers

Executive assistants and office coordinators moving into management roles

Senior secretaries and administrative supervisors

Department heads and supervisors responsible for administrative teams

Support services staff who coordinate people, suppliers and office resources

Objectives

Define the office manager's role, responsibilities and boundaries with senior managers

Work as a strategic partner to their manager by anticipating needs and agreeing priorities

Plan and control their time and workload using prioritisation and weekly planning tools

Juggle multiple responsibilities by delegating and scheduling work effectively

Recognise different team player styles and use them to improve collaboration

Think on their feet when responding to questions, requests and unexpected problems

Deal with conflict productively and reach solutions that work for both sides

Communicate with credibility in writing, meetings and short presentations

Map and simplify an office process, including digital workflows

Support colleagues through change in office systems and routines

Course Outline

The Office Manager's Role and Working with Senior Managers

The modern office manager: scope, authority and expectations
Moving from administrator to manager
Becoming a strategic partner to your manager
Managing several executives and competing priorities
Professional judgement, confidentiality and ethics

Controlling Your Workday: Time, Priorities and Delegation

Identifying time wasters and interruptions
Prioritisation matrices and weekly planning
Saying no or not now: negotiating deadlines
Delegation: what, to whom and how to follow up
Digital calendars, task lists and shared planners
Managing stress and energy in a busy role

Fine-Tuning Team Skills

Team player styles and building a balanced team
Setting clear expectations and standards
Coaching conversations using the GROW model
Giving feedback and recognising good work
Onboarding new team members
Leading former peers

Communicating with Credibility and Dealing with Conflict

Thinking on your feet: structuring answers under pressure
Assertive communication and professional presence
Clear emails, minutes and short reports
Conflict modes and choosing the right approach
Win-win problem solving with colleagues and suppliers
Handling difficult people and complaints

Efficient Office Processes and Managing Change

Mapping and simplifying office processes
Records and document management principles
Supplier, facilities and office budget basics
Digital workflows, e-signature and simple automation
Using AI assistants for routine office tasks: benefits and checks
Helping others through change; action plan: putting your skills to work

Competencies

Office management role and boundaries

Partnership with senior managers

Time and workload management

Delegation and follow-up

Team coaching and feedback

Credible communication under pressure

Productive conflict resolution

Office process improvement and digital workflows

Supporting colleagues through change

Kuwait

Train in Kuwait City with access to Elite Academy’s full portfolio of professional programs. In a city known as a key Gulf business and government center with an established professional environment, organizations and professionals can join upcoming courses or request any program to be arranged locally. Professional training in Kuwait City is not limited to a specific group of subjects. Elite Academy makes its complete portfolio available in the city across management, business, technical and industry-focused disciplines. With a key Gulf business and government center with an established professional environment, Kuwait City provides an effective setting for international learning. Use the schedule below to view courses already planned for the destination, or contact our team to request another program and preferred dates in Kuwait City, subject to scheduling and delivery requirements.