Business Administrator Job Profile

Business administrators play a central role in businesses of all types, with responsibility for handling the essential but often overlooked admin work that keeps an office running. Accordingly, they take on a wide range of duties.

Depending on the sector and company that you work for, your role as a business administrator will vary. However, there are some elements of the job that are consistent no matter where you’re working. Read on to learn everything you need to know if you’re considering a career in business admin.

What is a business administrator?

As a business administrator, you’ll work within a wider team to provide both clerical and administrative support to a specific area of a business. As well as being responsible for daily administration tasks, you may also take on office management – answering phone calls and managing enquiries.

It seems like a vague role until you know the details, but in summary you can expect to oversee and assist with the businesses’ daily operations to ensure that company goals can be met. 

Responsibilities

As we’ve mentioned, the responsibilities you’ll take on as a business administrator will vary depending on your level of experience and the business you’re working for. With that said, you can generally expect the following responsibilities to make up the majority of your day-to-day work:

• Writing correspondence

• Dealing with enquiries

• Printing, scanning, and photocopying documents

• Organising and processing paperwork

• Creating and maintaining filing systems

• Keeping diaries and managing schedules

• Attending meetings, creating agendas, and taking minutes

• Ordering and maintaining stationery and other office supplies stock

Business administrator qualifications

No specific qualifications are required for a role in business admin, making it the perfect first step into a career for someone without exposure to further education.

While qualifications aren’t generally expected, employers may look out for candidates with good grades in English, Maths, and a foreign language, depending on the nature of their business. You’ll also most likely have an edge over other candidates if you’ve pursued and attained other related qualifications, including professional development courses.

Skills

Organisation

As a business administrator, strong organisational skills will be required to maintain and prioritise your workload. Depending on your role, you may be required to work cross-departmentally, where your organisation skills will help you to succeed.

Attention to detail

Whether you’re typing letters, scheduling meetings, or dealing with enquiries, attention to detail is vital for administrators. In fact, businesses almost rely on the accuracy of work carried out by admin staff to ensure smooth running.

Communication

Speaking one to one with potential clients or customers, replying to emails and writing formal letters will all be part of your day to day as a member of an admin team. That means that strong communication skills will stand you in good stead.

Team working

Admin teams within businesses can be made up of tens of people, so knowing that you can work well as part of a team is important. With that said, it’s also useful for you to be able to work comfortably by yourself.

Salary and benefits

Depending on the sector in which you’d prefer to work, salaries will vary. However, starting salaries generally range from £14,000-19,000 or £18,000-24,000 with London weighting.

As you gain experience and take on extra responsibilities, your salary could increase and surpass £30,000.

Career path

Work experience

Work experience in administration will be an advantage when applying for a business administrator role. Not only will this show your commitment to the role, but also will reassure a potential employer that you understand what the role requires. Often, employers might value experience over qualifications.

Finding work through office agencies is common but applying for jobs directly with companies is also effective.

Continuing professional development

Training will be provided by your employer, but you may be offered opportunities to continue your development through third party qualifications – this will increase your chance of progression.

Consider taking courses in audio transcription, business and administration, IT, and typing.

Find out more about our professional development programmes here.