Administration spans a remarkable range of roles, from those who support daily office operations to those who provide strategic guidance alongside senior leadership.
However, unlike other job families – for example, engineering, where society readily acknowledges the complexity and hierarchy of roles, administration is still largely seen as a homogeneous group. This outdated perspective limits the career paths of administrators and fails to recognize the expertise they bring.
For example, consider an administrator with a degree in Public Administration and Management, who oversees a large budget, leads a team, manages high-stakes projects, and advises executive leadership. This person is performing at a level well beyond what would traditionally be thought of as “junior,” yet many organizations still treat their work as administrative support.
The lack of distinction between levels within administration often means that administrators are compensated, valued, and regarded only by the title, not by the depth of their skills or their contributions.
This is where the Global Skills Matrix becomes essential. This free resource provides a framework to define and understand the competencies, skills, and progression levels within administration, from foundational roles to high-level strategic positions. Just as engineering has clearly defined levels that distinguish a field technician from an aerospace engineer, the Matrix outlines distinct roles within administration, ensuring that each level is accurately recognized for its contribution.
The Matrix categorizes administrators not by the tasks they perform but by their level of responsibility, decision-making authority, and strategic involvement. For example, a Level 2 administrator might be expected to manage office supplies and basic calendar requests, a Level 4 administrator might be responsible for overseeing significant budgets, managing high-profile projects, and even advising executives on business strategies. These roles are as distinct as any in other profession, and the Matrix allows organizations to recognize and leverage this diversity.
By understanding and acknowledging the different levels within the administrative profession, we open the door to a more strategic use of administrative expertise within businesses. This is not a one-size-fits-all role. High-level administrators contribute significantly to strategic initiatives, organizational efficiency, and executive support.
This recognition
is also essential for elevating the profession and attracting new talent into it. The perception that all administrators perform the same basic tasks undervalues their work and prevents many from reaching their full potential.
Just as engineers have a recognized path of progression, administrators deserve the same opportunity to advance based on skills, experience, and impact, and when this becomes the norm, we might finally establish Administration as a viable career and not just a job.
