What is an implementation manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

An implementation manager oversees the delivery of projects. They work with clients to understand their needs, create a project plan, and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. The implementation manager is responsible for managing the project team, ensuring that everyone is working toward the same goal, and that any issues are addressed promptly. They may also be involved in training clients on how to use new systems or processes.

What's a day at work look like for an implementation manager?

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

Program Director & Assistant Professor, Maryville University

A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!

ScoreImplementation ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.1

Avg. Salary $90,790

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 12.73%

Black or African American 6.54%

Hispanic or Latino 9.82%

Unknown 5.18%

White 65.52%

Gender

female 40.95%

male 59.05%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an implementation manager?

Pros

Opportunities for leadership and decision-making
High earning potential
Opportunity for career growth and advancement
Opportunity to work on high-profile projects
Constantly learning new skills and technology

Cons

Long hours and tight deadlines
High levels of pressure and stress
Difficulty maintaining work-life balance
Risk of burnout due to high demands and expectations
Responsibility for project success or failure

Key steps to become an implementation manager

Explore implementation manager education requirements

Most common implementation manager degrees

Bachelor's

71.1 %

Master's

14.3 %

Associate

10.4 %

Start to develop specific implementation manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	14.88%
Account Management	7.04%
Client Relationships	5.80%
Client Expectations	5.74%
Client Facing	4.94%

Complete relevant implementation manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New implementation managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an implementation manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real implementation manager resumes.

Gain additional implementation manager certifications

Implementation manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific implementation manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for implementation managers include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Green Belt.

More About Certifications

Research implementation manager duties and 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.

Prepare your implementation manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your implementation manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an implementation manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable implementation manager resume templates

Build a professional implementation manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your implementation manager resume.