What does a Document Manager do?

Document Managers are responsible for the overall operations of the documentation department of an organization. Their duties include directing documentation projects, developing standardized documentation tools and methods, editing projects, and authorize final approvals. They set key metrics and manage staff's performance, track departmental milestones, and ensure goals are within budget and timeline. Document Managers also work with departmental servers to manage document flow and ensure document accessibility for those who have access approval.
Document manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real document manager resumes:
- Manage the ECN process and keep an update revision log on all products.
- Manage the AutoCAD and SolidWorks software operations, file structure/management, control and use.
- Create, coordinate and manage technical BOM's, markups, drawings, specifications, artwork, and samples.
- Implement EDMS solution as the primary system of record; ensure integration into daily processes to achieve return on investment.
- Manage interns/co-ops, administering and correcting daily work, and providing SolidWorks training.
- Assist in the development and implementation of new documentation processes, coordinate workflow and manage credit derivatives documentation backlog.
- Review documentation that follows the GMP for documentation.
- Format & review QMS & engineering documents for accuracy & completeness.
- Monitor and track deviations (CAPA) from open to close.
- Write and edit HTML documentation for a web-base transportation management system (GC3).
- Work extensively on HTML, JavaScript, and IIS web server for GUI creation.
- Establish CDI program and reviewed/audite records, provide feedback to coders, nurses and physicians.
- Participate in a group to help specify XML content management solutions and authoring tools at Cisco.
- Interface with the commercial team, FWR team and the contractors during the RFP and RFI process.
- Meet with management to update and inform on the documentation schedule, ISO compliance status and documentation progression.
Document manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Document Managers are proficient in Project Management, Technical Documentation, and Continuous Improvement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Teamwork, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Document Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 9%
Designed and instructed curriculum for SaaS Project Management software used for project tracking and budget analysis in Pharmaceutical clinical trials.
- Technical Documentation, 8%
Created the first centralized corporate technical documentation library for all system requirements and supporting documentation.
- Continuous Improvement, 6%
Visited international client sites to receive face-to-face feedback for continuous improvement of documentation.
- CDI, 5%
Established CDI program and reviewed/audited records, provided feedback to coders, nurses and physicians.
- SharePoint, 4%
Provided, reviewed and quality checked metadata for electronic files in SharePoint document repositories and document work sites.
- ISO, 4%
Established new corporate business processes for Document Control and ISO certification.
Common skills that a document manager uses to do their job include "project management," "technical documentation," and "continuous improvement." You can find details on the most important document manager responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a document manager to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what document managers do because "technical writers create instructions for others to follow." Additionally, a document manager resume shows how document managers use detail oriented: "created on-line help using framemaker sources and e-publisher pro to detail interface functionality. "
Teamwork. Many document manager duties rely on teamwork. "technical writers must be able to work well with other writers, designers, editors, illustrators, and the technical workers whose procedure or product they are explaining.," so a document manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways document manager responsibilities rely on teamwork: "demonstrate teamwork and customer service skills. "
Technical skills. This is an important skill for document managers to perform their duties. For an example of how document manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "technical writers must be able to understand complex information." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a document manager: "created an extranet to provide prospect/customer/partner access to product documentation, marketing collateral, and technical support. ".
Writing skills. document manager responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly." This resume example shows what document managers do with writing skills on a typical day: "establish, maintain, and communicate technical writing standards, including visio diagram library and technical style guides. "
The three companies that hire the most document managers are:
- Ernst & Young11 document managers jobs
- Seacoast Bank7 document managers jobs
- System One6 document managers jobs
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Document manager vs. Imaging specialist
The duties of an imaging specialist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs, editing and scanning images, performing color corrections on photographs and other forms of image manipulation, and creating digital rendings of photos and videos. There are also instances where an imaging specialist may work together with photographers, artists, and graphic designers, all functioning in adherence to the goals and vision of a project.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, document manager responsibilities require skills like "project management," "technical documentation," "continuous improvement," and "cdi." Meanwhile a typical imaging specialist has skills in areas such as "patients," "patient care," "radiology," and "customer service." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, imaging specialists reach lower levels of education than document managers. Imaging specialists are 6.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Document manager vs. Senior technical writer
A senior technical writer's role is to oversee the progress within a team or department, ensuring quality and timeliness. It is their responsibility to delegate tasks, set deadlines, carry out corrective measures on any issues, and implement the company's regulations and policies. There are also instances when they participate in producing written content, even editing and reviewing materials of the staff. As someone with more experience, a senior technical writer must encourage and lead fellow writers, shaping them into valuable assets.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real document manager resumes. While document manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "continuous improvement," "cdi," "direct reports," and "loan documentation," senior technical writers use skills like "java," "powerpoint," "confluence," and "jira."
Senior technical writers earn similar levels of education than document managers in general. They're 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Document manager vs. Document control specialist
A document control specialist is in charge of overseeing the data processes in a company, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They are primarily responsible for managing and storing documents, as well as reviewing and organizing them. There are also instances when they have to subject it for revision and approval, disseminate documents to different departments, file according to systems, and devise strategies for optimal document processes. Furthermore, a document control specialist may train new employees, produce progress reports and presentations, manage schedules, and respond to any inquiries or concerns.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, document managers are more likely to have skills like "project management," "technical documentation," "continuous improvement," and "cdi." But a document control specialist is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "computer database," "data entry," and "gmp."
Document control specialists typically earn lower educational levels compared to document managers. Specifically, they're 7.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Document manager vs. Document design specialist
Types of document manager
Updated January 8, 2025