Administrator skills and qualifications

Administrators have a wide range of responsibilities and they need a variety of skills. A successful Administrator candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, that typically include:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• IT literate with good typing skills and confident using a range of programmes including email, word processors, presentations and spreadsheets
• Time management skills and the ability to prioritise their workload effectively
• Customer service skills
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to come up with creative solutions to issues
• Able to work with a team, take direction from others and collaborate effectively

What does an Administrator do?

An Administrator assists with the smooth running of a company by providing support to senior team members and Managers. They take on the daily tasks involved in running an office to enable more senior team members to focus on income generation and strategic planning. They act as the first point of contact for guests and visitors and answer phone calls and direct queries to the appropriate staff members to deal with them. Administrators devise and implement organisational systems to ensure that all data is managed effectively and accessible when required.

Administrator experience requirements

There are no specific experience requirements for Administrators, but prior employment in an office environment is an advantage. Applicants that have had customer-facing jobs in retail will have experience of dealing with the public and will be used to maintaining a calm and professional demeanour even in high-pressure situations. Entry-level Administrators without work experience may have developed relevant skills by prioritising their workload, conducting research and managing their time while studying. Senior Administrators will usually need some experience of working in an administrative role and will usually have experience of supporting senior management or directors with high-level tasks.

Administrator education and training requirements

Education requirements for Administrators vary depending on the role. Some employers only require GCSEs with passes in maths and English or equivalent. A degree is an advantage for Senior Administrator roles, particularly in subjects such as business studies or law and some roles require specialist skills such as proficiency in a foreign language or experience working with a specific industry. Candidates may have specific training such as a City and Guilds in Business and Administration or a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Diploma in Business Administration which demonstrates proficiency in many of the skills required.

Administrator Salary Expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Administrator in the UK is £20,302 per year. This is dependent on the industry sector, the level of seniority and location of the job

Job description samples for similar positions

If you need support staff but an administrator isn’t quite what you are looking for, then these job description samples may be more helpful:

• Assistant Administrator
• Administrative Officer
• Administrative Clerk
• Administrative Manager