The heartbeat of an organization is management. The success of an organization is a factor in how well the organization is managed. Management of an organization is often committed in the hand of a professional individual known as the manager and often supported by the deputy manager who the same right as the manager in his/her absence. In the manager’s office, an assistant manager is directly attached to the manager, often commonly referred to as the personal assistant. The assistant manager or personal assistant acts directly, carrying out all assignments in the manager’s interest. It should also be noted that the deputy manager’s office is part of the establishment’s organization chart. In contrast, the assistant manager is directly attached to the office of the manager. We will discuss the difference between a deputy and an assistant manager in this article.
INTRODUCTION
Organization and management are two inseparable entities; in fact, management is the heartbeat of an organization. The success of an organization depends on how well it is managed. It is not a story but an eyesore in our dispensation that a collapsing organization if properly managed by a professional and skilled individual, can rise again to the highest peak of success while a flourishing organization if managed with a levity hand, can sink to the deepest pit of hell. Management is needed in all areas of the economy, religion, sport, school, establishment, and even project execution.
A professional individual to whom the prestigious role of management is handed over is the manager. According to dictionary.com, A manager can be defined as a person who has control or direction of an institution, business, etc., or a part, division, or phase. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, a manager can also be defined as someone who is in charge of a business, department e.t.c. More than all this definition, a manager can be referred to as a professional individual who has the skills and qualifications to manage an establishment to bring the best from it. The word establishment there is relative as it can be any organization like religion, political, sport, company, social organization e.t.c
Management of an organization is a herculean task and cannot be handled by only the manager though he is the head. A professional individual who is capable and skillful in acting and making decisions where necessary or in the absence of the manager is the “Deputy manager.” A deputy manager is as important as the manager because they reason together and collectively take decisions together regarding the management of an organization. For better understanding, you can relate the relationship of a manager and deputy manager to the President and the Vice-president of a country.
In the office of a manager, we have staffs that work in the interest of the manager. In fact, they are directly accountable to the manager, though to the company’s interest and not any personal interest under the organization’s terms. They take instructions from the manager. One of such is the assistant manager or best referred to as the personal assistant. The personal assistant carries out all tasks and activities assigned by the manager, and he/she is directly accountable to the manager.
Difference between a deputy and an assistant manager
As discussed in the introduction, A deputy manager should not replace an assistant manager because they are grammatically different. In terms of their roles in an organization also, they are distinctively different. Deputy Manager is a professional individual who acts as a backup for the manager’s absence, who can perform all their manager duties in his/her absence. A manager’s absence can result from laying off, health conditions, leave, family issues, or any other issue that is best known to the manager and officially reported to the director. The deputy manager works in the organization’s interest to make decisions because he/she can do so in the manager’s absence. In the manager’s presence, the deputy manager’s office cooperates with the manager’s office to make a rational and consequential decision regarding the organization’s growth and development. However, the deputy manager’s decision is subordinate to the manager’s decision; if it is well structured and the best, it will be in the organization’s interest. The deputy manager is officially empowered to correct some errors made by the manager officially and politely.
In contrast, the assistant manager is an associate of the general manager who directly executes the responsibilities assigned to him/her by the manager. Such responsibilities are always for the manager’s office, but due to a large amount of the responsibility, the assistant manager often assists in executing the responsibility. Most of the time, the manager usually has more than one assistant, but the assistant manager or the personal assistant is closer to the manager than others. An assistant manager is attached to the manager’s office and acts on direct instructions of the manager. The manager is accountable for his/her success and flaws. He/she performs a direct duty that is usually for the manager’s office alone when the manager is not available. He/she sees the smooth coordination of the manager’s office in the interest of the manager.
FUNCTIONS OF A DEPUTY MANAGER
- A deputy manager helps recruit and hire new staff for the establishment in the absence of the manager or assigned to his/her office by the director.
- The deputy manager’s office also assists in training new employees if assigned by the manager or the director.
- He/she also helps coaching and development of skills of existing employees
- A deputy manager also contributes to the decision-making of the establishment and also assists in solving problems.
- He/she works with the manager to monitor and control the establishment expenses and budgets.
- A deputy manager contributes to the planning and setting of goals for future purposes.
FUNCTIONS OF AN ASSISTANT MANAGER
The assistant manager’s function in the manager’s office is directly related to any functions assigned to him/her by the manager in the interest of the company and not selfish interest. Such function includes:
- Representing the manager in a board of directors meeting in the absence of the manager
- Attending to necessary documents when the manager is too busy or unable to do so
- Supervising all other employees in the interest of the manager.
- Co-ordinating all other staffs in the office of the manager
- Helping the manager on decision making by giving relevant advice
- Helps in recruiting new staff as directed by the manager.
Also read Deputy Manager vs Assistant Manager – What’s the difference?