Management Careers: Administrative Services Managers

Find the best school for you:
The 25 Best Online Bachelor in Business Administration Degree Programs
The 50 Best Online MBA Programs
The 30 Best Online MPA Programs: Online Master in Public Administration

See also: What Can I do with a Finance Degree?

What They Do

If having the entire weight of a company's success on your shoulders makes you smile at the challenge rather than break out in a cold sweat, you may be cut out for a top executive career. Top executives are responsible for organizing all operational activities of their company and ensuring their company meets its goals.

Top executive careers involve determining and setting goals for each department in a company, establishing policies and procedures, and monitoring activities regularly to ensure each department is moving toward its goal appropriately. Top executive careers also involve regularly communicating with other executives, staff members and board members about general and daily operations.

Top executives generally appoint department heads and managers, as well as negotiate or approve their contracts.

Finances are large part of top executives' focus, as they oversee their company's financial and budgetary activities. This includes analyzing financial statements, sales reports, and other performance indicators, as well as finding additional places to cut costs but still improve performance.

The responsibilities of a top executive also depend on the size of the company. In smaller companies, a top executive may have a hand in nearly every department. In a larger company, however, the top executive generally focuses more on policy making and strategic planning.

Career Advancement Opportunities

General managers can sometimes advance to higher-level management or executive positions. Professionals seeking a top executive career frequently begin as a lower-level manager and gradually advance within their own firm.

Obtaining certifications, attending training programs, and attending executive development programs all help the chances of advancement to a top executive career.