Information technology is an extensive field that covers many professions. In a day and age where computers are becoming a part of many jobs and our daily lives, it’s easy to see why IT has grown so much. IT management is one of the branches of IT, and it comes with many responsibilities.
Here are the requirements you should meet, the responsibilities you will have, and the career paths you can take as an IT manager.
What Is an Information Technology Manager
An information technology manager is a professional who is experienced and capable of handling any IT task. They are able to evaluate new hardware, assist others, run cables for the creation of new areas, and many others.
These individuals often have distinct traits and personalities. They’re often confident, energetic, and highly intellectual. Although part of being a good IT manager is earning an IT degree, soft and technical skills are also a big part of it.
Becoming an IT Manager
Becoming an IT manager is not a day’s worth of work. The process usually takes a good few years, during which you focus on getting the needed education and experience to take on such a role.
The requirements for an IT management job change from company to company. However, here are a few general qualifications that every aspiring IT manager must have on their resume.
IT manager education requirements
Apart from the experience that an IT manager is expected to have, having at least a Bachelor’s Degree in IT is usually a must. Having a well-rounded major, such as information technology, computer science, or management information systems, puts you ahead of the competition.
Having a bachelor’s degree and an extensive background in the field is sufficient to impress a hiring manager. However, many prefer candidates with graduate degrees, but that varies depending on the workplace.
IT manager skills
We mentioned before that an IT manager should possess soft and technical skills next to their education. So, which are these skills?
Here are a few of them:
- Communication skills—they should be able to communicate effectively with the team, present their ideas, and communicate with other managers.
- Leadership skills—influencing, building relationships, and mentoring are all a big part of being an IT manager, which is why leadership skills are important for the job.
- Critical thinking—the job requires someone who understands business functions, strategy, workflow, and decision making.
- Problem-solving skills—managing conflicts, risks, costs, time, and forecasting require someone who is good at fixing problems quickly.
- Software proficiency—having software knowledge comes in handy with most jobs and in IT it’s a necessity.
- Project management—it goes without say that project management skills will be of help with team management for an IT manager.
- Programming languages—knowledge of programming languages can go a long way with any jobs that revolve around technology.
Being an IT Manager
Being an IT manager is certainly not an easy job, but rewarding? It sure is—especially when you’ve worked so hard for it. IT management means planning, coordinating, and leading all computer-related activities of the company you work for.
As an IT manager, you will help the company determine its IT needs and implement its computer systems in coordination with the company’s requirements. Although these are the general requirements, an IT manager’s duties vary based on the company’s needs and managing system.
Job responsibilities of an IT manager
Although the responsibilities and daily duties may change from job to job, here are a few things you can expect to be part of your job:
- Designing workshops and training programs for the staff
- Running regular operation system reports and sharing them with senior management
- Managing and reporting the distribution of IT budget
- Developing and then implementing best practice guides and IT policy
- Running checks on network and data security regularly
- Overseeing and determining timeframes for major IT projects
- Identifying improvement opportunities and updating software and systems
- Acting as a leader for other IT members
- Conducting system audits regularly
- Working on team training and advancing their skills
Salary of an IT manager
The salary of an IT manager is not a set number. The salary changes depending on what company you work for, what the position is, how much experience you have, among other factors. However, the average salary of an IT manager is around $132,375.
Here are the average salaries of some common IT management positions.
| Position | Average salary |
| Chief Information Officer (CIO) | $170,500 – $287,000 |
| Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | $145,000 – $248,000 |
| Chief Security Officer (CSO) | $143,250 – $241,500 |
| Vice President of IT | $137,000 – $231,000 |
| Technology Director | $118,750 – $199,750 |
| IT manager | $105,750 – $159,000 |
| Information Security Manager | $98,250 – $187,250 |
| Database Manager | $95,250 – $179,750 |
| Network Manager | $93,500 – $138,250 |
| Software Development Product Manager | $92,500 – $155,750 |
IT Manager Career Path
Every IT manager’s career path is different, and most companies will look at someone’s experience before deciding their position. However, there are many options for those just starting out in the IT field as well. There are many options that come with IT management. Here are some roles that you can take on during your IT management career path:
- Program Manager
- Senior IT Project Manager
- Director of IT Services
- Vice President of IT
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
- Chief Security Officer (CSO)
Becoming an IT manager requires a lot of hard work and dedication. However, if that’s where your heart is, you will find that it’s worth all the work. In addition, being in IT management comes with a great salary along with the responsibilities. You can take on the career path of your choice and have a lot of room for growth within the industry.
If this article helped you understand you want to be an IT manager one day, you can start by applying for our Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program or reaching out to us for further details!
