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What does a data systems manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
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Data systems manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real data systems manager resumes:

  • Develop, manage and perform maintenance on SharePoint web applications with a concentrate focus on physical, information and personnel security.
  • Perform extensive software development using C/C++ on UNIX with SQL databases.
  • Develop UNIX device driver to communicate with proprietary RF broadcasting hardware.
  • Convert an antiquate telephone and messaging system to a VoIP communications system, increasing accessibility and responsiveness to clients and customers.
  • Design, create and maintain database objects and DTS and SSIS packages.
  • Create SSIS packages to load medical bill repricing data into an insurance claim system as part of a schedule process.
  • Convert an antiquate telephone and messaging system to a VoIP communications system, increasing accessibility and responsiveness to clients and customers.

Data systems manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Data Systems Managers are proficient in Data Management, Data Systems, and KPIs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Data Systems Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Management, 14%

    Introduced data management practices and supported Operations with projects promoting product and patient safety.

  • Data Systems, 14%

    Promoted to data systems manager and established an IS department that converted and networked the Agency's entire system.

  • KPIs, 6%

    Forecasted revenue-loss, demand-attrition, & other KPIs in 10 quarters.

  • Data Integrity, 5%

    Developed robust patient accounting system specific quality control scripts in SQL to ensure data integrity and accurate data processing and delivery.

  • Data Analysis, 5%

    Led data quality improvement efforts through data analysis and problem solving using LEAN principles and tools.

  • Java, 5%

    Core technologies: Java, eclipse,Objective-C, Tomcat, Subversion.

Common skills that a data systems manager uses to do their job include "data management," "data systems," and "kpis." You can find details on the most important data systems manager responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a data systems manager to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "it managers must analyze problems and consider and select the best ways to solve them." Additionally, a data systems manager resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "supported data collection and analyses for data analysts at remote sites performing similar requirements. "

Business skills. Many data systems manager duties rely on business skills. "it managers must develop and implement strategic plans to reach the goals of their organizations.," so a data systems manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways data systems manager responsibilities rely on business skills: "skilled in the use of information management tools including excel and data warehouse extraction tools (business objects, discoverer). "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of data systems managers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday data systems manager duties, as "it managers must explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provided technical support for the lucent phone system; fax machines, copiers, and various other telecommunication devices. "

Leadership skills. For certain data systems manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a data systems manager rely on this skill, as "it managers must lead and motivate it teams or departments so that workers are efficient and effective." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what data systems managers do: "used both p3/primavea and microsoft project management tools to develop status reports for senior leadership. "

Organizational skills. Another common skill required for data systems manager responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of data systems managers all the time, as "some it managers must coordinate the work of several different it departments to make the organization run efficiently." An excerpt from a real data systems manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a data systems manager does: "devised and implemented program's organizational procedure using access database, thus resulting in increased data integrity and ease-of-retrieval. "

See the full list of data systems manager skills

Compare different data systems managers

Data systems manager vs. Vice president, technology

A vice president of technology is in charge of overseeing all technological operations in a company while managing the workforce involved, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Typically, it is their responsibility to establish goals and objectives, devising strategies to enforce them. They also spearhead the development of new systems and tools that boost workforce productivity, coordinate with analysts and specialists, and resolve any issues and concerns. Furthermore, as a vice president, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.

If we compare the average data systems manager annual salary with that of a vice president, technology, we find that vice presidents, technology typically earn a $53,125 higher salary than data systems managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both data systems manager and vice president, technology positions are skilled in java, sql server, and data warehouse.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, data systems manager responsibilities require skills like "data management," "data systems," "kpis," and "data integrity." Meanwhile a typical vice president, technology has skills in areas such as "analytics," "architecture," "project management," and "portfolio." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Vice presidents, technology tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $156,843. In contrast, data systems managers make the biggest average salary, $105,179, in the manufacturing industry.vice presidents, technology tend to reach higher levels of education than data systems managers. In fact, vice presidents, technology are 7.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Data systems manager vs. Vice president of information technology

A Vice President Of Information Technology supervises an organization's technology initiatives, IT changes, and updates to all projects. They also identify and propose new information technologies and systems to improve business processes and decision-making.

A career as a vice president of information technology brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a data systems manager. In fact, vice president of information technologies salary is $61,263 higher than the salary of data systems managers per year.A few skills overlap for data systems managers and vice president of information technologies. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "sql server," "pos," and "data warehouse. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that data systems manager responsibilities requires skills like "data management," "data systems," "kpis," and "data integrity." But a vice president of information technology might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "project management," "architecture," "cloud," and "customer service."

Vice president of information technologies earn a higher average salary than data systems managers. But vice president of information technologies earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $162,421. Additionally, data systems managers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $105,179 annually.vice president of information technologies earn higher levels of education than data systems managers in general. They're 7.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Data systems manager vs. Information technology director

An information technology (IT) Director is an individual responsible for the management, strategy, and execution of an organization's IT infrastructure. He/She supervises a team of workers while working with the organization's management and external vendors and advisors. Aside from managing workers, an IT director should possess problem-solving skills and an aptitude for organizational thinking. An IT director must also identify new market opportunities and should lead an effort to improve the organization's IT process.

On average, information technology directors earn higher salaries than data systems managers, with a $39,569 difference per year.data systems managers and information technology directors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "product lifecycle management," "sql server," and "pos," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, data systems managers are more likely to have skills like "data management," "data systems," "kpis," and "data integrity." But a information technology director is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "project management," "cloud," and "network infrastructure."

Information technology directors earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $145,076. Data systems managers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $105,179.information technology directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to data systems managers. Specifically, they're 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Data systems manager vs. Senior information technology manager

A senior information technology manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of the company's technology and network systems. Senior information technology managers oversee technology infrastructures and operations, ensuring the processes adhere to the company policies and regulations. They analyze the schematics and specifications of computer systems, maintaining the safety and security across all networks to prevent unauthorized access. A senior information technology manager must have extensive knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages.

Senior information technology managers typically earn higher pay than data systems managers. On average, senior information technology managers earn a $33,801 higher salary per year.While both data systems managers and senior information technology managers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like kpis, java, and process improvement, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between data systems managers and senior information technology managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a data systems manager might have more use for skills like "data management," "data systems," "data integrity," and "data analysis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior information technology managers require skills like "project management," "cloud," "architecture," and "strong problem-solving. "

In general, senior information technology managers earn the most working in the professional industry, with an average salary of $143,891. The highest-paying industry for a data systems manager is the manufacturing industry.In general, senior information technology managers hold higher degree levels compared to data systems managers. Senior information technology managers are 8.8% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of data systems manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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