I am the Office Manager at TPAS Cymru in Cardiff and I am also PA to the Director.

I have been in this post for six months now find it both challenging and rewarding. I never know what is going to be on my desk to sort out when I arrive in the morning - but the diversity of the role is what makes it so interesting!

I have worked in an administrative capacity since the age of 18. My first role was as a Junior Branch Secretary for a pensions company.

Following a career break - a great opportunity to brush up on work skills as well as raise a family! - I started as PA to Director with TPAS Cymru in March 2004. Following a restructure in November 2005, I was appointed as the Office Manager.

My responsibilities have increased and now include personnel for the organisation, coordinating workloads for the administration team and, alongside the Director, planning our joint annual conference with the Welsh Tenants Federation - the largest tenant participation conference of its kind in Wales.

We underwent a major restructuring throughout the summer, following the departure of our previous director and the appointment of our current director, John Drysdale.

The Office Manager is a completely new role and it is my job to develop and maintain internal systems to ensure the smooth running of the organisation - something that hasn't happened for a number of years!

• Meeting and event planning
• Developing and maintaining new systems and creating corporate standards/image
• Liaison with external agencies and organisations, from tenants groups to the Welsh Assembly

I wish I could say that I had a typical day! This is an exciting time for both myself and the organisation, as we meet the challenges of improving our internal systems in order to meet the increasing demand for services from our external publics.

I also work alongside the Information Manager, devising new information leaflets, and alongside the Operations Manager and Director to coordinate meetings for our management committee and plan for our annual conference.

I also coordinate the work of the two administrators within the organisation, to ensure that we offer an effective service to the other members of the team.

The biggest challenge I have had to face was becoming the coordinator of the administrators' workload. Until recently we were all on the same level, but now I have taken on a managerial role there has been a few problems with the new system of working.

I have tackled it by being upfront and honest with my team and consulting with them about new procedures, so they feel that they have been part of the process - rather than being dictated to. I have found this to be really helpful and they feel empowered!

Through hard work, determination, studying hard and taking up opportunities when they arise.

I would eventually like to move into senior management in an administrative capacity.

I'm currently studying for my Diploma in Administrative Management and looking to take on a management course. I also ensure that I ask for regular feedback from my line managers to ensure I am doing things correctly and to identify areas of improvement in my management techniques.

You need to be a people person who has a genuine interest in helping people improve their communities and their lives.