As a Director of Administrative Support, you lead a team responsible for delivering essential administrative services that keep our organization running smoothly. You provide strategic direction and operational oversight for administrative functions such as office management, records management, correspondence, scheduling, and support services. Your leadership ensures these functions are efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with departmental priorities.
In this role, you manage budgets, supervise administrative staff, and implement processes that improve service delivery. You work closely with senior management and other departments to understand their needs and ensure your team provides responsive support. You also champion best practices in administrative management, stay current with government policies and procedures, and foster a productive work environment for your team.
You'll work in a fast-paced government environment where your decisions directly impact how well the organization serves its mission. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by enabling other teams to focus on their core responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of administrative support services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the administrative support team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Organizational skills, Written and oral communication, MS Office proficiency, Time management, Attention to detail, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To succeed in this role, you typically need a secondary school diploma or equivalent, with additional education in business administration, office management, or a related field being an asset. Many Directors of Administrative Support hold a college diploma or bachelor's degree in public administration, business management, or similar disciplines.
Professional certifications such as the Certified Administrative Manager (CAM) credential or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification can strengthen your qualifications. The federal Public Service also provides extensive professional development opportunities, including leadership training, financial management courses, and government-specific programs through the Canada School of Public Service. You're encouraged to pursue ongoing learning to stay current with emerging administrative technologies and best practices.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career in several ways within the federal Public Service. Most commonly, you'll apply for a Director-level competition that is open to external candidates and current public servants. These competitions are posted on the Government of Canada's Job Bank and departmental websites.
If you're already working in the Public Service, you may apply for lateral moves or promotions into this role from other administrative positions or related career fields. Some candidates advance through the administrative support career ladder, starting at lower classification levels and progressing as they gain experience and demonstrate leadership capability.
The Government of Canada also has student and early-career programs, such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Initiative (PSRI) and Co-op programs, which can provide pathways into the administrative support career family. These programs allow you to gain federal government experience while building your qualifications for future management positions.
Part-Time Options
Depending on operational needs and departmental policies, part-time and flexible work arrangements may be available for this role, though as a Director you will likely be expected to maintain a full-time presence to provide necessary leadership and supervision. Many Directors work standard full-time hours of 37.5 hours per week.
Remote and hybrid work options have become more common in the federal Public Service, and depending on your department's operational requirements, you may have flexibility to work from home for a portion of your week. These arrangements are typically negotiated with your manager and depend on the nature of your duties, team management responsibilities, and departmental priorities. The federal government is committed to work-life balance, and your department will work with you to explore flexible options within operational constraints.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
