Pimp my job title!

September 26, 2006 7:44 PM

JobTitleFilter: Help me re-name my job!

Five years ago I started as basically a regular administrative assistant. Now, what I do has moved far above and beyond any generic "secretarial" position description. I will soon be reviewed, and would love to go in and make a great case for a new job title and (of course) a corresponding salary increase.

I thought up the title "Administrative Coordinator," which really doesn't mean anything but it sounds like it's a notch above administrative assistant. Help!!

Does such a title/position exist? This is a job above administrative assistant but below supervisor (I do not have anyone reporting to me).

It needs to reflect that I have a lot more resonsibility, advanced technological skill and recognized abilities that are beyond those of the average "secretary." Not only do I have my own departmental duties, I am regularly sought out from almost every other department for assistance because "no one else knew how to do it." I learn new software and systems superfast. I play well with others and know how to get things done, who to talk to and who NOT to talk to.

It also needs to send a clear message that there are tasks that are no longer appropriate for me to be expected to perform. One problem I have run into is that as my duties and skills grew in complexity and scope, I was still being expected to do more menial tasks just because "that's the way it had always been." I want to change people's perception of me and my role in the company.

I think my boss will embrace my desire to move forward but my chances will be better if I can make a kick-ass case for myself.

posted by I_Love_Bananas to Work & Money (27 answers total)

Response by poster: Let me add that I do not have any aspirations to management. My re-vamped job does not need to point in that direction. Thanks!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:49 PM on September 26, 2006

Operations Analyst?

The more I say Administrative Coordinator in my head, the more I like it.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:53 PM on September 26, 2006

I too like Administrative Coordinator. You coordinate administrative stuff, you don't just do it when your particular boss tells you too. Makes sense to me.
posted by lackutrol at 8:01 PM on September 26, 2006

Administrator?
posted by necessitas at 8:02 PM on September 26, 2006

Administrative Specialist was the job title I had when I was in a similar role several years ago. Unfortunately, some people really resisted seeing or treating me as "more than a secretary" and I never was able to shake the menial crap until I left that company. Hopefully your experience will be different. Good luck!
posted by acridrabbit at 8:06 PM on September 26, 2006

At our company (university), we have three roles:

xxxx Manager
xxxx Administrator
xxxx Assistant

(ie. Faculty Manager, Faculty Administrator, Faculty Assistant)

To me it sounds like you want an upgrade from the Assistant role to the Administrator role, so I'm going to suggest you ask for either Office Administrator or even just Administrator.
posted by ranglin at 8:15 PM on September 26, 2006

Some thoughts, do you need a new title for this job if it is clear that you have been promoted?

- Executive Assistant
posted by parmanparman at 8:30 PM on September 26, 2006

How about Senior Administrator?
posted by MetaMonkey at 8:41 PM on September 26, 2006

at a previous company, our "more-than-a-secretary" had the title Office Manager.
posted by j at 8:46 PM on September 26, 2006

Administrative Director.
posted by Rumple at 8:48 PM on September 26, 2006

Administrative Overlord
Administrative Specialist
Administrative Consultant
Factotum
Whipping-Boy
Administrative Synergiser
Senior Administration [consultant | specialist | expert | manager | etc]

I also like Administrative Coordinator, however.
posted by oxford blue at 8:55 PM on September 26, 2006

Best answer: I'd approach this slantwise:

First, when we're talking about reviews, you need to be all about the money. The last thing you want your reviewers to think is that they can buy you off with a title and short you on the raise (and, if applicable, bonus) you have coming. Get the money thing done and settled before you even give a hint you want a new title.

Second, there is no tacit / implicit solution for the problem of menial duties. A new title (that is not a clear promotion) won't do the trick. You also need to recognize that complaints about menial duties are something that most bosses don't like or sympathize with. Everyone has to do a lot of work that is boring or repetitive, and your typical boss feels more bedeviled by that kind of work than he thinks any subordinate of his is. Bottom line: you need at your review to make an explicit business case for why it's in the organization's interest for one or more people (whom you to identify) to do the menial work that you currently do, instead of you. Ideally, the organizational interest should be that you have more valuable things to do, but if need be the organization's interest can simply be to keep you happy if you find menial stuff intolerable.

Third, be wary of the title you seek. "Coordinator" is a good theme; "analyst" or "specialist" also viable. I'd stay away from "Administrator" or any adjectival use of "Administrative" and definitely stay away from a title which is wildly out of line with the realistic salary or status expectations you have. A mismatch between title and salary is a red flag on a resume, for one important thing.
posted by MattD at 9:06 PM on September 26, 2006

Department Coordinator is one we've used where I work.
posted by sarahnade at 9:35 PM on September 26, 2006

Basically I get up when I really have to pee, hang out with the pets and play with the computer all day, and occasionally run errands or keep medical appointments or whatever. What should my job title be? Besides "lazy bum" I mean.
posted by davy at 9:43 PM on September 26, 2006

assistant to the regional manager?
posted by ibechase at 9:54 PM on September 26, 2006

I like your own idea, but if you want to go more obscure and impressive-sounding, emboss "Chief Factotum" on that new card.
posted by rob511 at 1:43 AM on September 27, 2006

MattD is sending the right message, here. Unless you are being promoted to an already existing position within the organization, a title change is not going to make it clear to anyone that your responsibilities have changed. "Um, I'm a Senior Administrative Synergiser now, I don't make coffee anymore, duh."

Instead of focussing on a new title, get together with your manager to rewrite (or write) a formal Job Description for you, and engage him or her in communicating the changes to the other departments/managers/supervisors. It will not be easy to change people's perception of you however. Many people who start at an AA level in a corporation have difficulty getting people to stop thinking of them as a "Secretary" even when they have been promoted several steps up the ladder. If it becomes a major issue, you may want to look into a transfer to another department or location.

Also, depending on your field/office, you may need to realize that due to schedules/demands/crazy stuff, sometimes everyone needs to stuff envelopes for a day or two.

Good luck, and I like "Chief Factotum" or "Operations Coordinator", FWIW.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:09 AM on September 27, 2006

What do you want your NEXT job to be, and how can your new job title on your resume move you closer to that position?
posted by DenOfSizer at 7:22 AM on September 27, 2006

Executive Coordinator or Executive Officer
posted by davidmsc at 7:42 AM on September 27, 2006

You need a grunt assistant to do the menial stuff.
posted by mecran01 at 7:44 AM on September 27, 2006

FWIW, "executive assistant" wouldn't be appropriate here. It's a title applying specifically to someone who provides admin+ support exclusively to C-level management. Job descriptions usually include meeting the needs unique to head honchos, such as travel scheduling, event planning, correspondence, advance work and supervising other admin assistants.

I agree with the "administrative coordinator" or "operations coordinator" suggestions.
posted by pineapple at 8:20 AM on September 27, 2006

Best answer: Administrator is what they call that here in the UK. There's a career track from admin assistants

seriously, somebody needs to find a way of classifying and recognising us secretary/tech support/accounting/fundraising/etc types. I have done this career arc in the last several jobs I've had, and one shouldn't have to bust down back to secretary again when one moves careers.
posted by By The Grace of God at 8:21 AM on September 27, 2006

s/careers/jobs
posted by By The Grace of God at 8:21 AM on September 27, 2006

I have a similar position, I think. I am called the Coordinator of Internet Services (and our department is called Internet Services, so really you can just insert your department name there, if you wish.)

I'd stay away from the word "Administrative" altogether. It's just a euphemism, I find.

(In spite of this, though, I still get taken out for lunch for "Administrative Professionals Day" and my boss still calls it "Secretary's Day." Sigh.)
posted by pyjammy at 8:22 AM on September 27, 2006

I'd stay away from the word "Administrative" altogether. It's just a euphemism, I find.

When I heard "administrative coordinator" I think "glorified secretary." My mother has used the titles of administrative coordinator and administrative assistant interchangeably to refer to her own job.

Something along the lines of Office Manager or Senior Administrator would sound more impressive.
posted by puffin at 11:25 AM on September 27, 2006

so-and-so administrator and whoozits coordinator always seemed to me meaningless titles dreamed up by people who feel that the term 'secretary' is somehow demeaning, despite the fact that the job duties, like the ones described here, most accurately reflect the 'secretary' title--just technologically updated...

...so after, say, picking up some little gifts for the 'average' secretaries you might know, whose jobs and talents you have rather carelessly undervalued, i'd put my effort into being impressive rather than having an impressive title...

...um, just sayin'...
posted by troybob at 11:54 PM on September 27, 2006

Response by poster: I think am going to pitch Administrative Specialist- I really like how that sounds and it carries the right "feel" for what my job has evolved into over the past few years. It is my hope that this change (assuming it occurs) will entail a new title AND a newly increased salary.

I must say, however, that Senior Administrative Synergiser was a VERY strong second. ;-)
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:34 AM on September 30, 2006