What is IT Management Responsible For?

If you have a passion for computer technology, then a career in the IT (information technology) field can be very lucrative, especially if you decide to pursue a position as an IT manager. According to the Bureau of Labor, the median pay for IT managers in 2017 was $139,220.

It's worth noting that more and more businesses are in need of IT managers every year as IT continues to become an important and prominent part of company operations -- no matter how big or small a company is. Of course, before you decide to pursue a career as an IT manager, you'll want to know what IT managers actually do. The term "IT manager" can be a little vague, after all.

What does an IT Manager Do?

IT managers are responsible for all of a company's computer and information systems. Meaning that they have to plan, coordinate, and direct all IT activity, including everything having to do with the company's hardware, software, and network. This is obviously a huge workload, especially for larger companies, which is why IT managers typically oversee several IT staff members.

Much of what an IT manager does depends on the needs of the company they are working for. You'll have to evaluate what the company's IT needs are and determine how you can improve their existing IT infrastructure via new projects and upgrades. This requires constant communication with the company's management. The following are some of the more specific tasks that IT managers are often responsible for:

• Installing software updates on company computers
• Negotiating with suppliers and vendors for IT equipment and supplies
• Ensuring the security of the company's IT systems, which includes implementing the latest security systems, taking security precautions, and providing employees with network accounts and passwords
• Educating the company's staff on how to use the company's technology safely and securely. This may require training new employees
• Hiring and overseeing an IT staff consisting of software developers, information security analysts, computer system analysts, and more
• Staying up to date with the latest IT technology and security features

What is the average day of an IT manager like?

The average day of an IT manager depends on the size of the company that they are working for. For example, if you end up working at a smaller company, then you can expect to spend a lot of time helping employees with IT support, whether they're having trouble accessing data or even getting online.

You'll likely have less staff working under you, which is why you'll be handling minor IT issues on your own. You'll also analyze data on a daily basis to make sure the company's network is running efficiently and securely. If you're implementing new hardware or software, then you'll spend a lot of time setting that up. You can also expect to spend a lot of time on the phone, whether it's talking employees through IT problems or going over network issues or projects with the higher-ups.

If you're the IT manager at a mid-sized company, odds are you'll be responsible for a staff of IT professionals. Your daily tasks will regularly include developing goals and objectives, analyzing data to help inform decisions or activities, having group meetings, and overseeing the work of your team to make sure that they are meeting their individual responsibilities and tasks.

When it comes to larger corporations, there's generally more than one IT manager -- and the job becomes more specific. For example, if you're the CIO (chief information officer), then you're responsible for the entire technology strategy of the company. It will be your job to form technology goals and to make sure that they are implemented.

Then there are CTOs (chief technology officers), whose job it is to look into new technology and identify new software, hardware or network features that can benefit the company. There's also IT security managers, who are responsible for network security, and IT directors, who supervise the company's employees.

How important is a formal education to becoming an IT manager?

While not all IT jobs require a bachelor's degree, the IT manager position certainly does. Having an IT management degree is basically a requirement to be considered for an IT management position. This is because an IT management program will teach you the skills you'll need to know, including:

• Web design, database, networking, and programming skills
• How to use information literacy in the management field
• Business ethics
• Technological business processes
• Management leadership
• Critical thinking and analysis

Are you interested in becoming an IT manager? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in IT Management, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated pace. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

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