What Does an IT Manager Do?
An IT Manager oversees a company’s IT department. They are responsible for making sure new IT systems are implemented correctly and efficiently. These managers will also delegate specific tasks to a team to improve, repair, and design better IT systems for a company.
Overall, they are the main point of contact for a company in regard to IT. They play a very important role as they make sure all systems are implemented properly and are usually the first ones to respond in the event of an IT emergency or problem with any of the systems. In most cases, they will also design new systems to better fit the company’s needs.
According to GlassDoor, the average salary of an IT Manager is $98,775.
Example Responsibilities for IT Manager Staffing
- Overall, implements, updates, and maintains new and existing IT software.
- Firstly, leads large IT projects.
- Secondly, monitors the performance of information technology systems.
- Builds an IT infrastructure strategy, architecture, and processes.
- Develops solutions for IT needs.
- Develops test strategies for new hardware and software.
- Troubleshoots hardware and software issues related to internal IT.
- Provides ongoing feedback to upper management.
- Provides corrective procedures to resolve problems.
- Is available for on-call responsibilities and on-demand client needs.
- Is available for overtime work when needed.
Average Salary
According to GlassDoor, the average salary for an IT Manager is $133,370 a year.
Common Certifications for IT Manager Staffing
Project Management Professional (PMP)
A management certification with management in the title! Need any more evidence of its importance?
Provided by the Project Management Institute, the PMP exam tests the candidate on the highest level of management techniques, issues, and tactics. Considered an ‘elite manager’, those with the certification have passed the administered course and test to prove they have the expert ability to manage the people, processes, and business priorities of a professional project. Therefore, those with the PMP certifications can be considered top-tier candidates.
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Scrum is a form of program management introduced in the late 1990s. Basically, Scrum is a work and scheduling formula that a company or team can use to help them finish a project with efficiency. The key element here being ‘sprints’.
For example, let’s say you decide to draw a portrait of your friend. After every feature, you stop to make sure it is correct. After drawing one eye, you check to see if that eye is correct. Nose, mouth, and so on. Therefore, you can fix issues in small increments instead of waiting till the entire picture is finished.
If a candidate has a CSM certification, they are experts in the management framework.
Google Project Management
Similar to the PMP, Google provides a similar management course. According to the corresponding site, the certification course and test show that the candidate has experience with estimating time and budgets, running effective meetings and managing stakeholders, identifying and managing risks, applying Agile and Scrum frameworks, leadership skills, and navigating team dynamics. When staffing for an IT Manager, the Google certification is a bonus.
Common Skills
Communication
Due to the nature of having to communicate with team members and subordinates, the IT Manager requires a bevy of customer service and communication abilities. Ultimately, they must be able to directly explain the program, changes, and tasks to all of their workers. Furthermore, they must be able to understand and empathize with workers, allowing them to change and alter programs to ensure success. As a manager, the professional must have communication skills.
Time Management
An IT Manager oversees the entirety of different projects, teams, and tasks. Therefore, they must have the ability to understand and create schedules and withstand overall time management. If they have a bad grasp on time management, they may see projects and teams get out of order, delaying delivery and production.
Flexibility
IT Managers can never theorize every step of the way. Eventually, something unplanned will arise. When this happens, they must have the ability to pivot, overcoming the issue and leading the team through the process. Therefore, they must have the flexibility to try new things, listen to their team, and change plans on the fly.
Other Parallel Career Paths and Jobs
The Project Manager plans and executes multiple initiatives for a company. For example, when a company needs to implement a new solution, the Product Manager identifies, plans, and executes all aspects of the solution. Consequently, they oversee the complete lifecycle of the new initiative.
The Program Manager oversees multiple projects for the organization. They do not directly oversee individual projects. They manage the overall progression and completion of multiple projects. Additionally, the program manager often creates and manages long-term goals for the organization that aligns with its business strategy.
Just like a Program Manager, an Operations Manager analyzes and researches ways to create company success. They manage multiple departments toward maximum productivity. Usually, they are involved in human resources, finance, and IT management. Their ultimate responsibility is to increase a company’s operational efficiency.