Coordinator jobs can be divided into four primary categories: information, people, equipment, and events. A coordinator is someone who is responsible for managing communication channels between multiple people or organizations. The role of coordinator is essential for a large number of different companies and industries. For example, a coordinator can be found in the post-secondary education sector as well as in media production.
There are no specific post-secondary training requirements to become a coordinator. Most people obtain this type of position after working in a related administrative assistant position, providing support to a project manager or event coordinator. The skills required for this positions include excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and listening.
The most important of all the different coordinator jobs is the ability to absorb a large amount of information and determine how it relates to the current business process. The coordinator must be able to decide who needs to be informed and when. The coordination of information exchanges is critical to the success of any endeavor, regardless of industry.
Working with people, who have different needs, priorities, and requirements, is another one of the different coordinator jobs that must be completed with skill. It is very easy to become frustrated with people who do not work with you, but against you. The ability to manage difficult people and situations is critical as a coordinator.
Many coordinator jobs involve the movement of equipment, supplies, furniture, and other large objects. Identifying suppliers, working as a team, and ensuring everyone is aware of the project is an important part of being a coordinator. The primary people a coordinator must work with on this type of job are the shipper or receiver, site manager, and equipment supplier.
Many people who work in the event industry take on coordinator jobs. In order to host an event, the coordinator needs to organize the physical materials, location, food, drinks, seats, entertainment, and people. In fact, the event coordinator often hires other coordinators to assist with the project. This may be necessary for large projects to ensure a smooth event.
The career advancement opportunities for a coordinator range from a project to department manager. Take the time to ensure your work is consistently high quality and talk with your supervisor about what is required to be considered for management positions. Although some employers may require more formal training, this is rarely necessary, as long as you have relevant experience.