What Is an Agency Manager?

An agency manager is a professional who oversees all aspects of an agency. Such a manager can work in a variety of industries, including insurance, advertising, accounting, talent, recruiting and real estate. Some governmental departments might also refer to their senior staffer as the agency manager. Specific duties vary widely based on the industry and corporation, but responsibilities often include personnel management and administration of tasks such as reporting, facilities management and clerical functions. These managers are often responsible for the overall financial workings of the agency.

In some cases, most notably insurance and real estate, the agents within the organization are self-employed individuals who are associated with a corporate entity. They are not direct employees and usually work on commission. In this situation, the agency manager is the primary liaison between the sponsoring corporation and the agents. She will most likely be responsible for ensuring that agents follow corporate policies, agreed to by the agents at time of contract, and for ensuring adherence to financial agreements, such as commission splits. The agency may, however, employ clerical or other personnel directly, and the agency manager will most likely be responsible for hiring, reviewing and managing the workloads of these employees.

Other types of agencies, such as staffing firms, accountancy firms and advertising agencies are commonly comprised primarily of direct employees. In this case, the agency manager may have significantly more involvement in personnel matters. In a small agency, she may be responsible for managing employees directly. In a larger firm, she may have managers below her who handle their own personnel.

In most agencies, the agency manager is also responsible for performing or delegating advertising tasks for the firm. This may mean buying local print ads and choosing sponsorships. It may also include public relations activities, such as participating in chambers of commerce or issuing local press releases.

The agency manager is frequently responsible for facilities-related tasks as well. This can include negotiating leases and choosing utilities as well as ordering furnishings and maintaining equipment. She may complete these functions herself or delegate responsibility depending on the situation.

One of the most important functions frequently assigned to an agency manager is responsibility for the profit and loss (P&L) statement. This is a financial document that compares the agency's monetary intake to its output and indicates financial success or failure. Managers are typically responsible for ensuring that these reports are properly run and also for ensuring that the agency is meeting its financial goals.