IT Manager Careers
What is an IT Manager?
IT Managers are specialists who manage Information Technology. They work for many varied organizations, evaluating new hardware and software, creating new computer work areas and stations, and setting up and maintaining a company’s information network. IT Managers work in many settings, from offices to industrial environments as well as performing fieldwork.
Today’s business world relies on digital technology to support communication and data management. IT Managers monitor organizational requirements and ensure efficient and secure information processing.
What is an IT Manager Responsible For?
IT Managers plan, coordinate, and direct activities relating to a company’s information system. They build hardware systems, monitor software users, maintain networks, and establish security protocols. As technology continues to grow and companies embrace the efficiency and profitability associated with strong information management, IT Managers play an increasingly important role in the digital presence of any organization.
IT Managers can expect to work at any of the following tasks:
- Developing and implementing IT policy
- Checking network and data security
- Managing IT staff
- Designing training programs and instructing business staff
- Establishing audit procedures and adhering to strict system audits
- Providing direction for the IT department staff
- Sharing system operation information with senior staff
- Overseeing, designing, and implementing major IT projects
- Managing the IT budget
- Coordinating IT priorities with other company departments
- Reviewing IT resources, including funding, equipment, personnel, and service
- Approving and directing outside vendors
- Communicating closely with department managers to determine IT needs
- Maintaining all system networks
- Establishing IT standards and procedures
- Keeping up-to-date with new technology
- Testing and modifying existing systems
- Ensuring software licensing compliance
- Managing security for remote users
To be successful as an IT Manager, prospects will need to develop the following skills:
- Communication. IT Managers must navigate communications between other IT specialists and business staff. Technical jargon doesn’t translate easily, so the IT Manager must learn to communicate clearly with IT staff, other department staff, and outside vendors.
- Project Management Skills. Successful IT Managers will review all aspects of both large and small projects. Consideration of team members, financing, and other department responsibilities are just a few of the resources that play into any project. Strategic thinking is a must to negotiate the best outcomes for IT projects.
- Organization and Time Management. IT Managers must be agile multi-taskers and that requires top organizational skills. Building servers and networks, managing staff meetings, and writing security plans all use employer resources and time must be closely managed to stay on budget.
Where Do IT Managers Work?
IT Manager jobs can be found wherever computer networks are necessary for daily business activities. The fields of education, medicine, finance, and government depend upon their digital networks and computer systems to manage their businesses.
What Other Career Options are Available to IT Managers?
Careers available to IT Managers include:
Data Architect
IT Managers who work as Data Architects oversee the design and maintenance of digital data across varied databases and information systems. They ensure that computer systems are readily accessible by creating and administering data networks. They employ their training and knowledge to analyze organizational data and develop systems and protocols unique to the organization. Data Architects study methods to improve existing structures and implement new ones to keep their organization compliant, secure, and accessible.
Technical Support Specialist
IT Managers working as Technical Support Specialists troubleshoot problems and help clients solve problems in their computer network. They develop knowledge of computer systems, including hardware and software issues as well as being well-versed in specific computer system products. They help avoid, diagnose, and correct technological issues that can hinder a company’s efficiency. IT Managers working in Technical Support work for service companies, in the field, and on staff at private companies.
Software Engineer
IT Managers working as Software Engineers develop, design, optimize, and test computer programs used in operating systems, network control systems, business applications, social networks, and video games. Software Engineers work in large groups and for government agencies, small companies, and large corporate networks.
Business Intelligence Developer
Business Intelligence Developers manage databases and information networks and prioritize optimizing implementation, storage, and the flow of data within a company. IT Managers who work as Business Intelligence Developers rely on a large pool of skills and knowledge to complete varied tasks within their organizations. They design, code, analyze and troubleshoot systems as well as manage teams of IT professionals.
Development Operations Engineer
Development Operations Engineers, or DevOps Engineers, coordinate the efforts of development teams and operation teams. A natural jack-of-all-trades, DevOps Engineers integrate teams with specialized knowledge to develop technical products that help companies run more efficiently. IT Managers in this field have a wide variety of knowledge, including current technology and trends, and often oversee software development, information security, web development, database architecture and maintenance, and cloud security management.
What Degree Do You Need to Become an IT Manager? What Do They Study?
Educational requirements for IT Managers can vary. Most companies require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or information technology. Software development coursework and mathematics also form a strong base of knowledge for those interested in IT Management.
Many fields of business increasingly require a graduate degree for their IT Professionals. A Master of Business Administration is a solid choice for those seeking a career as an IT Manager. Other choices for a master’s degree include Master of Language Technology, Master of Business Analytics, and Master of Information Technology.
How Much Money Does an IT Manager Make?
People with IT Manager jobs can expect to earn a median annual income of $135,800 and those at the top in their fields earn approximately $171,000 per year. Software Developers earn about $105,000 per year, while IT Project Managers can earn around $107,000 per year. IT Directors earn an average of $158,000 per year.
IT Managers working in the insurance field earn an annual salary of about $113,000 and those in the medical field earn around $137,000 per year. Corporate IT Manager positions can earn from $98,000 to $147,000 per year.
As with most positions in IT Management, actual annual salary varies, depending on location, experience, and size of the organization.
