To become a back office executive, you’ll need a mix of education, experience, and personality traits, especially when it comes to organizational and people skills. The “back office” is commonly regarded as the administrative heart of any business. Administrative jobs, such as secretaries and technical assistants, are some of the most common jobs found here. In almost all cases, these lower-level employees are overseen or managed by a group of executives who are in charge of ensuring that their work is both exceptional and truly useful. These executives did not always start in the positions they supervise. It’s just as common, if not more so, for companies to assign leaders from other divisions or departments to the back office. As with most executive positions, getting started almost always requires a university education, usually at the graduate level, as well as experience at a lower level within the company. It’s usually difficult to get hired right out of school for this position, but it’s never too early to start planning for your future success.
Getting to Know the Back Office Generally
Most businesses operate most visibly through the front office, which houses the departments and divisions that are most visible to customers, clients, and competitors, as the name implies. Many people both inside and outside the corporation are aware of the decisions made here, and they are what most people think of when they think of corporate work — but they only represent a small part of what is actually going on.
In the so-called back office, which is the division in charge of internal affairs and making critical decisions for day-to-day operations, things are a lot different, but no less important. Executives in this area may not be as visible, but their jobs — which can include human resources and employee relations, technology, and internal administration — often assist the company in maintaining the efficiencies that allow it to be profitable and successful on the front end.
Executive Positions That Are Common
Managers and vice presidents are the most common executive positions in the back office, with the majority reporting to the corporation’s larger executive board. They may have voting rights in major corporate decisions, and they usually supervise multiple teams of many different employees. Taking one of these jobs usually necessitates a thorough understanding of what the position entails.
These teams may or may not be located in the same physical space, depending on the corporation. Large multinational corporations frequently outsource certain tasks, particularly information technology (IT), to locations where labor is less expensive and more readily available, sometimes even abroad. Executives in these types of management positions are frequently tasked with streamlining processes and establishing policies that ensure a more or less consistent approach. If you work as a back office executive in charge of a smaller company’s hiring practices, you’ll have a different set of responsibilities, but the overall goal is the same: to create a positive and productive environment that supports the company’s more directly profit-oriented goals.
Education and training are extremely important.
Perhaps the most important distinction between a back office employee and a back office executive is education. Many of the jobs in these offices are entry-level and don’t require much formal education. Management is usually a different story. A bachelor’s degree is almost always required, and a graduate degree in business or a related field is frequently required as well.
Begin small.
Without some relevant experience, getting hired as an executive in any field is often extremely difficult, if not impossible. Basic administrative work can be beneficial, but if you really want to be a leader, you’ll probably need more than just entry-level experience. Looking for associate positions in companies that specialize in your field of interest is a good place to start, and working as a business consultant can also help you gain valuable experience. The most important thing you can do is show employers that you not only have the skills to work in a back office, but that you can also lead people, achieve goals, and implement positive change.