Spader will play CEO Robert California of Sabre, the parent company of Dunder Mifflin. The award-winning series airs Thursday nights at 9 PM ET.

"James will reprise his role as Robert California, this uber-salesman that has a power to convince and manipulate, like a high-class weirdo Jedi warrior," said executive producer/actor Paul Lieberstein in a statement. "He'll have been hired over the summer as the new manager, but within hours, got himself promoted. Within days, he took over the company. James has an energy that is completely his own, and 'The Office' has no tools for dealing with this guy. We're thrilled he's joining our cast."

Emmy winner Steve Carell, who played Michael Scott, departed the series at the end of this past season.

"The Office" is executive-produced by Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, who developed the series for American audiences, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein and Paul Lieberstein.