“Commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort” helps an IT Manager build a sustainable systems architecture that stands the test of unforeseen cyber attacks, radical technological advances, fluctuating consumer needs, and constantly evolving business objectives. Continue Reading
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Explore Career “Commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort” helps an IT Manager build a sustainable systems architecture that stands the test of unforeseen cyber attacks, radical technological advances, fluctuating consumer needs, and constantly evolving business objectives.
What are the typical responsibilities of an IT Manager?
An IT Manager would typically need to:
The workplace setting for an IT Manager can differ depending on the company's size and industry; most work primarily in an office environment at computers and regularly interact with colleagues and other departments. They may also participate in meetings with executives and stakeholders.
IT managers may need to travel to monitor IT systems and attend meetings as a liaison between computer personnel and other departments within the organisation.
IT managers often work extended hours, especially when handling vital projects or during system downtime. Periodic security maintenance and upgrades, emergencies, and project deadlines may also call for work beyond 40 hours per week.
Planned security maintenance and upgrade work may also require working irregular hours. There is also the possibility of being called out anytime to handle emergencies.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the work pressure.
Finding a new job may be challenging. IT Managers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies. Freelance or self-employment work is feasible in fields where the IT industry hires contractors, including short-term project management contracts for individuals with extensive experience. International companies with branches in other countries offer opportunities for overseas assignments.
IT Managers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), are crucial for IT Managers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Aspiring IT Managers require a judicious combination of relevant degrees, requisite skills, and several years of appropriate experience in tech-centric positions.
Some aspirants prefer to complete internships, apprenticeships, or training with an authorised provider to gain relevant real-world experience in web development, virus removal, cleaning infected hard drives, and stripping hardware after a security breach.
Others find an entry-level position as a programmer, manager’s assistant, or systems analyst helps them acquire vital communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, project management, and IT skills.
College placement offices can help students find employment in an IT company with the requisite executive training programme for fresh college graduates.
Two to five years in technical support or operations as an IT consultant, IT coordinator, systems administrator, network administrator, or project manager will help the incumbent gain valuable supervisory and team leadership skills while enhancing their service desk and network administration knowledge.
Paid or voluntary work assignments that foster mastery over programming, cloud architecture, network/data security, operating systems, programming languages, and IT applications also offer significant real-time experience en route to becoming an IT Manager.
Proven ability to lead and manage large IT projects, roll out IT infrastructures across various technologies, and get optimal results from databases, database storage systems, and phone systems will prove valuable.
Global companies may lean toward applicants with overseas work experience, even if it is unrelated to IT.
Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.
Join your school’s computer or IT club to pick up on the Internet, its networks and systems and enjoy yourself while being directed toward a future career.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in IT management to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
Professionals in this field must have a comprehensive understanding of technology, requiring the acquisition of relevant academic qualifications that focus on programming, networking, and database management.
An accredited bachelor’s degree, or sometimes an associate degree/higher national diploma (HND) in computer science, information technology (IT), management information systems, computer programming, or systems analysis, will set you on the path to becoming a competent IT Manager.
Viable alternative fields to help aspiring IT Managers realise their career goals are software engineering, computer information systems, IT management, computer networking and security, networking communications systems, digital communications, or business administration.
Individuals who lack a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related subject can complete a postgraduate course in computer science to qualify for the position.
A joint Computer Science MS (Master of Science)/MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree programme may help you land the IT Manager position at a large company.
Recommended college preparatory courses in high school include computer science, mathematics, and business. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, your professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification demonstrates an IT Manager’s competency in a skill set, typically through work experience, training and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
Industry certifications in project management, agile project management, governance of enterprise IT, and management consulting from an objective and reputed organisation may benefit aspiring and current IT Managers.
In addition, accredited certifications at varying levels of expertise in information systems security, risk and information systems control, and auditing can help you stand out in a competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent.
Furthermore, professional networking and wireless training certification may increase your chances of advancement and allow you to become an independent consultant.
Certifications that promote one’s understanding of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and CompTIA Project+ are worth acquiring.
IT Managers may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media and drug screening.
Expertise in IT, managerial experience, a people-friendly demeanour, and effective communication will pave the way for a long and rewarding career as an IT Manager.
As you progress, you may be given more significant projects and responsibilities, both of which are positive benchmarks in this profession. Large organisations offer better opportunities to advance to more specialised roles as a Project Manager or an IT Group Manager.
With the acquisition of significant knowledge and leadership skills, one can become Vice President of Information Systems or be offered more C-suite-centric roles outside data processing.
Smaller organisations provide less progression but greater flexibility to expand your horizons and customise your role based on your areas of interest. You may eventually open a technical consultancy or take up contractual roles after building a professional network.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and exciting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable and transferable skills along the way.
Candidates with a comprehensive knowledge of computer and information systems management, shrewd business acumen, the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, and the know-how to create a positive work environment have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active IT Manager build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,
formal education or self-directed learning. In addition to having the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications.
It is typical to receive training on the company’s systems and procedures. Most of the training occurs on the job and is supplemented with brief internal or external courses when necessary. Large companies offer more formal training opportunities, including mentoring programs and customised training, while smaller organisations may rely more heavily on self-study options such as e-learning courses.
IT Managers must remain enthusiastic practitioners of the technical and professional skills essential for sustained success. The continual honing of leadership traits, such as analytical thinking, decision-making, business acumen, and effective communication, is as critical as polishing exemplary customer service, project management, and database management skills.
In addition, a willingness to collaborate and interact with team members at different levels will go a long way in showcasing an IT Manager’s capacity to support and execute the vision and mission of the organisation.
Given the ever-changing nature of the IT industry, attending conferences, perusing industry publications, and enrolling in courses that help you stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies, connect with peers and professionals, assimilate IT best practices, and learn about better employment opportunities.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
IT Managers can enjoy steady job growth and exciting opportunities as digital technology continues to expand and create the need for more technically proficient people with managerial skills.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing IT Managers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, full-time IT Managers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
Which One Would You Be?
Although the size of the organisation and its needs may call for some overlap, IT Managers generally play diverse roles with distinct responsibilities.
Infrastructure Managers focus on running the organisational hardware, software, networks, and servers smoothly and safely. Development Managers work with programmers and other IT professionals to develop time- and cost-effective software applications and IT systems that meet business needs.
Security Managers are responsible for the organisation’s IT security, while Operations Managers guarantee the seamless efficiency of daily operations of the organisational IT systems in meeting set objectives.
Project Managers ensure the successful planning, execution and delivery of IT projects within the prescribed time and budget. Support Managers ensure the IT support staff offers prompt and premium services to end users.
What’s In a Name?
Depending on their work location and industry, IT Managers may go by other job titles, including Computer and Information Systems Manager or Information Systems Manager. The job responsibilities are identical, so the labels would likely not coexist within the same organisation.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have gained widespread attention as emerging trends in IT, with the potential to shape our future. ML involves training machines to perform tasks without explicit programming, while AI consists in developing intelligent machines to perform human-like tasks.
Many organisations leverage AI and ML resources to gain significant benefits, such as improved performance, enhanced customer service, more effective data analytics, resolution of production issues, and increased revenue.
Going forward, IT Managers should be mindful of several emerging trends in AI to remain competitive.
For instance, sophisticated versions of AI-powered chatbots can simulate human conversations so convincingly that they can provide exemplary customer support, sales assistance, lead generation, and marketing.
With widespread adoption across diverse industries, including agriculture, medical research, the stock market, and traffic monitoring, ML needs careful attention as an emergent technology.
Edge and Quantum Computing are Here to Stay
A distributed computing framework that brings computation and data storage closer to the data source, edge computing is a popular trend in the IT industry. It offers faster insights, improved response times, better bandwidth availability, and enhanced data security.
Edge computing uses encryption to secure any data traversing the network back to the cloud or data centre, circumvents the delays caused by cloud computing, gets data to data centres for speedy processing, and processes time-sensitive data in remote locations with little or no connectivity to a centralised location.
Organisations also lean towards quantum computing to perform superposition, interference, or entanglement calculations, carry out measures faster, solve complex problems, and run computer simulations.
Molecular modelling, database searching, cryptography, weather forecasting, credit risk, high-frequency trading, fraud detection, rapid DNA sequencing, drug discovery, personalised medicine, diagnosis assistance, and radiotherapy are just a few instances of quantum computing revolutionising diverse industries.
Whether it is system downtime, security breaches, or lack of scalability, it is the IT Manager that the organisation turns toward to steer them through complex and resource-intensive situations, which can cause irrecoverable losses.
“A high-mature digital organisation is shifting from “pushing” stuff to the digital channel into “pulling” resources up for problem-solving.”
― Pearl Zhu, Digital It: 100 Q&As
The 1950s term for computers ‘electronic brains’ aligns with the rising popularity of search engines and human dependency on computers for nearly all work (and play)
What do IT Managers do?
An IT Manager would typically need to:
Accredited
$112,200
