The role of an assistant manager can vary from company to company, and can be quite extensive. Many assistant managers take on the responsibilities of a manager and even fill that role when a manager is absent or not on duty. Assistant managers may be needed to oversee offices or departments and maintain control over and responsibility for the entire staff.

Leadership

As an assistant manager you will need good leadership skills. It is not uncommon for assistant managers to roll up their sleeves and help with the various job duties and responsibilities of the workers they supervise. Leading by example is one of the best ways to show and develop leadership skills. That also helps establish rapport with your associates and gain their respect. Workers are willing to listen and cooperate when they see the assistant manager involved.

Delegation

One of the key responsibilities of an assistant manager is delegation. In the manager's absence, the assistant manager will be responsible for a number of tasks that they will not be able to perform alone. Assistant managers will need to delegate, with authority, the different job duties and responsibilities necessary to ensure that the work place runs effectively and efficiently. They may have to delegate duties to many employees while performing their own duties and tasks.

Hiring/Interviewing

When a company has a hiring need, many times it is the assistant manager who plays a vital role in the screening of applicants and the interviewing process. They will have input regarding who gets hired because they will have first hand knowledge about a prospective employee. Assistant managers need to be skilled in the art of interviewing which help them determine who would make the best candidate for the job. Depending on the situation, an assistant manager could spend the entire day interviewing and also be required to complete other assignments.

Schedule

Assistant managers need to be flexible in terms of their work schedule. Many times assistant managers must work on the weekends, during holidays and also fill in for the late-night schedules. If an employee calls in sick, the assistant manager may have to fill in for that employee. There have been situations in which assistant managers have worked back-to-back shifts to provide coverage for an office, department or retail outlet.

Reports

As an assistant manager, you may be called upon to analyze and interpret reports associated with the office or department. Sometimes there will be variances that have to be accounted for. It will be the assistant manager’s job to review the reports and find the reason for the discrepancy. The difference could be the result of an employee’s performance or a profitability factor. The assistant manager may have to audit the reports and come up with the necessary explanation and then report her findings to the manager.

Corrective Measures

When employees are not meeting their objectives, the assistant manager may have to step in and provide the necessary action plan to correct the deficiency. An assistant manager may have to provide training, coaching, and mentoring designed to help an employee overcome his or her shortcomings.