IT’S IMPORTANT TO US TO ENSURE WE HAVE A WELL-ROUNDED TEAM OF INDEPENDENT, EXPERT AND IMPARTIAL JUDGES WHO VALUE THE OFFICE MANAGEMENT PROFESSION JUST AS MUCH AS WE DO.
We’ve spent time seeking this panel of industry experts and influencers to ensure they bring a range of knowledge, expertise and skills which can be applied to the judging criteria and ultimately, to award the finalists.
Being transparent about our process with the awards entries and how the judges will carry out their duties, along with the judging process is key. We are providing the information below so you can gain a greater understanding of how your entry will be treated and how the finalists, and winners will be selected.
The Judges Role
Every Judge will fully participate in the judging process and will:
Bring knowledge, expertise and experience to evaluate all entries within their assigned categories
Ensure every entry meets the set category criteria, and if applicable, re-allocate into the correct category alongside The Office Management Awards admin team
Work in allotted pairs to provide scores and narrative for all shortlisted entrants (finalists) and award winners
Declare any conflicts of interest with entrants that they are reviewing within their assigned categories
Attend the Awards Ceremony where possible – it is important that our judges meet with our finalists, winners, guests, and sponsors.
Important Dates
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES – Sunday 10th MARCH 2024 (extended from 18th February)
JUDGING SESSIONS – 11-24 MARCH 2024
SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED – FRIDAY 29 MARCH 2024 LATEST
PUBLIC VOTING OPENS – FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2024 (FOR SUPPLIER AND SERVICE PROVIDER CATEGORIES ONLY)
PUBLIC VOTING CLOSES – FRIDAY, 26 APRIL 2024
AWARDS CEREMONY – THURSDAY 20 JUNE 2024, LONDON
Judging Process
We have outlined below the process that our panel of Judges will follow to ensure correct entry criteria from all entrants, narrow down the finalists and select the winners from each category.
Entrants will be checked for accuracy and eligibility by The OMAs administration team soon after Sunday 19 February 20241 when the entries deadline closes
Entries will be collated into their relevant categories
All entries will be shared between the judging panel, as per the designated categories (two categories per pair of Judges)
The Judging Sessions provide time to review, assess and score each entry and narrow down those to shortlisted entries (finalists)
There may be some categories where Judges wish to carry out interviews (virtually) for the entrants to further support their decision-making process. You will be notified if this is the case soon after entries close
By the end of Judging Sessions, each category shall also have a Winner. The Winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony on 20 June 2024.
Judging Criteria
The Judges will be looking for evidence of clear and effective ways in which you share your successes and your story. Your objectives must be set out so that is it easy to digest. You should use examples wherever possible. The Judges will also consider the structure, presentation, use of language (e.g. spelling and punctuation) and clarity of each entry.
Judges will read and pre-score all entry forms, considering any supporting materials submitted. Judges will be asked to give a score for each question within the entry form. These will be combined to give an overall score for each entry. All Judge’s pre-scores will then be combined, and the highest scoring entries will determine the shortlists.
Judges will meet to discuss the highest scoring entries and then agree the winner for each category. This may also involve meeting shortlisted entrants and you will be notified if this is the case, to arrange a suitable interview time and date.
Only the Judges assigned to your category, and the OMAs team will see your entry(ies). Judges must sign confidentiality agreements prior to receiving your entry(ies).
Organisations participating in the judging process are encouraged to enter the awards but will absent themselves from any discussion involving their organisation or any organisation in which they have an interest.
Judging Sessions
These sessions will allow the Judges time to work together and identify the finalists and winners. They will have the opportunity to come together to discuss the merits of each entry ensuring a fair, thorough and robust process.
Each pair of Judges shall take the lead on two categories and will have the opportunity to have a look through their entries prior to the Judging Sessions.
During the Judging Sessions, each Judge will present their thoughts and discuss the merits of each entry or nomination. All Judges will need to come together to decide on the final shortlisted entries and winners for each category. In the event of a tie, the Chairman of the Judges’ will make a decision based on the evidence submitted. The Chairman of the Judge’s decision is final, this is Hana Gray, The Office Management Group.