Current job title: Senior Administrative
Assistant
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Department: Managed Markets
Years worked in this industry: less
than 2
Years worked in this department: less
than 2
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): BS was
helpful, general admin skills, organizational skills, etc.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 2 directors, 40 field
managers
Typical work hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00
p.m.
Weekends or overtime hours: Some OT -
time and a half
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.): approx.
$50,000
Benefits (direct or indirect): Tuition
reimbursement, summer hours, 10 paid sick days, 3 personal days, 15
vacation days, 10 holidays
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
Prior authorization (PA, Prior Auth), PBM (Pharmacy Benefits Manager), 2nd
tier, 3rd tier
A typical day on the job: Very varied.
Lots of emails & phone calls, lots of calendar management of two
directors. Usually have at least two or three major projects in the works
(usually planning staff meetings with 5-40 field staff flying in for a
meeting, either to our office or another state). Lots of interruptions and
added tasks. Important to take notes and use Outlook reminders.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Great benefits, worthwhile
(support people bringing helpful medications to those who need them),
opportunities for growth and new experiences within the company
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Learning curve, government
compliance and scrutiny, admins are considered "the help" (don't generate
sales/dollars)
Type of workspace/office:
Cubicle
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Calendar maintenance, meeting
planning, screening phone calls, collecting and collating reports (data)
from the field, creating and editing PowerPoint presentations
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Organizational skills, MS Office proficient (expert in Excel - formulas,
charts/graphs, formatting), BS degree
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
copier/printer, fax, scanner, shredder, 3 hole punch
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Excel, Excel, Excel. Power Point (templates, graphics, exporting/importing
from/to Excel)
Critical soft skills: Negotiating
pricing from vendors, diplomacy (have to get 40 headstrong sales field
folks to turn in reports on time and in the correct format),
professionalism, organizational skills (juggle lots of balls), proactive
and think ahead (anticipate needs of participants in meetings, etc.), self
motivated
Pace of this position: Very very fast
Geographical region: Midwest U.S.
roduced by Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™ and Founder and President of The Effective Admin:
"My specialty is
serving administrative professionals like you with job performance and career
management advice. I have 24 years experience interacting with the 'real'
workplace and working administrative professionals."