The letter, part by part
Joel Foster (Office Coordinator) is applying to be an Office Manager at Bennett & Lowe Architects. Here is what each paragraph does.
- The hook
- The proof
- The fit
- The close
Dear Ms Whitfield,
An architecture practice runs on deadlines, drawings and a lot of coffee, and I have learned to keep all three flowing smoothly. When I saw Bennett & Lowe Architects advertising for an Office Manager in Surry Hills, I was excited by the chance to support a creative studio of your size. Your recent move into a larger heritage building also suggests there is plenty of organising ahead.
As Office Coordinator at Harbourline Engineering, I support 45 staff across two floors. I renegotiated our stationery and cleaning contracts, saving about A$18,000 a year. I also coordinated our office relocation over a single weekend, so not one project day was lost. In addition, I introduced a shared booking system for meeting rooms that ended double bookings and reduced complaints to almost none.
Your role combines facilities, finance support and people care. I manage supplier invoices in Xero, maintain WHS registers and induct new starters so they feel welcome from their first morning. I am confident with Microsoft 365 administration and can troubleshoot basic IT issues before they become urgent. Above all, I am calm under pressure, which matters when a client presentation is due and the printer has other ideas.
I would be delighted to discuss how I could help Bennett & Lowe settle into its new home and keep the studio running smoothly. I am available for an interview at short notice. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Joel Foster
Skills to mention
Employers hiring a office manager often look for these. Name the ones you really have, with an example.
Phrases you can borrow
Change the details to your own, then copy them into your letter.
I keep the office running quietly in the background so the team can focus on their best work.
I renegotiate supplier contracts regularly and have saved thousands of dollars without reducing service quality.
I make new starters feel welcome and prepared from their very first morning.
I stay calm when things go wrong and solve small problems before anyone notices them.
Tips for a office manager cover letter
- Show the range of your role: facilities, suppliers, budgets, onboarding and IT support.
- Quantify savings from supplier negotiations or process changes in local currency.
- Mention WHS or health and safety responsibilities, which Australian employers take seriously.
- Match your tone to the workplace; a creative studio welcomes a little personality.
- Name the accounting, booking or office software you already use.
Mistakes to avoid
- Describing yourself only as organised without examples that prove it.
- Forgetting to mention budget or supplier responsibilities, which set managers apart from coordinators.
- Using a stiff, formal tone for a relaxed creative workplace.