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Functional manager vs implementation manager

The differences between functional managers and implementation managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a functional manager and an implementation manager. Additionally, a functional manager has an average salary of $113,849, which is higher than the $90,790 average annual salary of an implementation manager.

The top three skills for a functional manager include professional development, customer service and ERP. The most important skills for an implementation manager are project management, account management, and client relationships.

Functional manager vs implementation manager overview

Functional ManagerImplementation Manager
Yearly salary$113,849$90,790
Hourly rate$54.74$43.65
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs48,500136,883
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4747
Years of experience88

What does a functional manager do?

A functional manager handles resources in a certain department like IT, engineering, PR, or marketing. Generally, they direct the technical work of employees from that functional part who are working on the project. They share responsibility with the project manager for directing the work of employees. They assign specific employees to the team and discuss with the project manager regarding resources to improved staff utilization. In addition, they also participate in the initial planning until activities are assigned and recommend possible changes to the project, including corrective actions.

What does an implementation manager do?

An implementation manager specializes in introducing new systems, networks, and processes to the entire company workforce. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the implementation team to ensure that everything is running smoothly, devising action and work plans, coordinating with different departments, monitoring requisitions and information materials, and verifying their accuracy. An implementation manager may also address issues and concerns, providing technical support when necessary. Furthermore, it is essential to lead and encourage the team, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Functional manager vs implementation manager salary

Functional managers and implementation managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Functional ManagerImplementation Manager
Average salary$113,849$90,790
Salary rangeBetween $88,000 And $146,000Between $64,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleLevi Strauss & Co.
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between functional manager and implementation manager education

There are a few differences between a functional manager and an implementation manager in terms of educational background:

Functional ManagerImplementation Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Functional manager vs implementation manager demographics

Here are the differences between functional managers' and implementation managers' demographics:

Functional ManagerImplementation Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 67.2% Female, 32.8%Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between functional manager and implementation manager duties and responsibilities

Functional manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage product and solution infrastructure with continuous deployments, and engineering requirements to support product releases and solutions.
  • Verify installations ability to load new DoD supply chain system.
  • Train unit point of contacts on SharePoint procedures on a quarterly basis.
  • Integrate the necessary architecture that would consistently work with web services systems, external systems.
  • Lead program engineer defining vehicle architecture for new segment entries as well as in cycle product updates.
  • Develop a data parsing routine in Java in order to validate record data integrity and continuity of data feed.
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Implementation manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead the strategic project planning efforts and the technology architecture design initiatives.
  • Document each client's processes for artifacts and manage through project closure via SharePoint.
  • Create and manage detailed project plans for all phases of SDLC to ensure successful deployments.
  • Lead a group of 10 Java engineers and 12 web developers in creating web-base online banking applications.
  • Manage one internal ERP specialist, who maintains and modifies the ERP system and provides specialist technical support.
  • Manage state-by-state projects from planning/scheduling, architecture, development, Nessus scan vulnerabilities, QA, UAT, to deployment.
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Functional manager vs implementation manager skills

Common functional manager skills
  • Professional Development, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • ERP, 10%
  • Business Process, 9%
  • HR, 9%
  • Project Management, 6%
Common implementation manager skills
  • Project Management, 15%
  • Account Management, 7%
  • Client Relationships, 6%
  • Client Expectations, 6%
  • Client Facing, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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