Current job title: Office Manager,
Corporate Secretary
Industry: Condominium
Association Management and Maintenance
Department: Corporate Headquarters --
Human Resources
Years worked in this industry: less
than 2
Years worked in this department: 8
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): No
specific training to get my job in the industry. I find that learning
about condominium association management has helped tremendously.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 2
Typical work hours: 8:30 to 5:00
Weekends or overtime hours: I work
weekends and overtime on occasion. I am salaried so I do not get paid for
the additional time.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): Generally,
corporate secretaries make $50,000 plus. I work for a very small company
and have 12 years of experience as an administrative assistant and I make
[less than that figure.]
Benefits (direct or indirect): I get
medical insurance through my husband’s place of employment although my
company offers average healthcare insurance. I get 13 days of personal
time off each year but must use for sick days as well as vacation. That’s
all we offer.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
1. Reserve Study-This is a study condominium associations have done on
their properties to indicate the need for future major repairs and the
need to establish reserve funds to pay for these costs. This study goes 20
years ahead and helps the Board members establish the maintenance fee to
charge each owner.
2. Maintenance Fee-This is a monthly fee that condominium owners pay that
covers the maintenance of the common areas and to fund the reserve.
3. Common Areas-This is the area outside of an individual condominium unit
that is owned and maintained by the association.
4. Condominium Association-This term refers to all unit owners within a
condominium complex.
5. Board of Directors-Members of the association who volunteer their time
to manage the association. They frequently hire a Management Company to
assist with the daily operations of their association.
A typical day on the job: Very, very
busy! I manage the office personnel, wear the human resources hat, assist
the president and vice president and act as their corporate secretary. I
attend officer and manager meetings and assist with all major decisions
made by the company. In addition I write a ton of correspondence, handle
title transfers, train new employees, transition new associations that
hire my company, write the association’s handbooks. I recently hired my
first administrative assistant for backup.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: It’s an interesting
industry. There is a large variety of work. I am never bored.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: We often do the dirty work for
the Boards and do not have the answer an owner is seeking regarding their
issues. Writing letters to owners informing them about pet soiling in
their yard. Hard to please owners.
Type of workspace/office:
open space
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Transition new associations
that hire us, write correspondence, manage the annual inspections of the
properties and handle personnel issues.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement: The
ability to think on their feet. Highly organized. Strong follow up
ability.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Fax, copier, computer, server, phone, 10-key. All your basic office
equipment.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
I work in a windows environment and work
with the server. We have a database specifically for association managers.
Critical soft skills: Definitely
communication, organization and follow up ability.
Pace of this position: Fast
Geographical region: Northeast U.S.
