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What is an information technology development manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Matthew Liotine Ph.D.

Information technology (IT) development managers oversee a company's computer-related activities. They supervise IT workers, manage upgrades of systems and software, negotiate with product vendors, and ensure the security of a company's IT infrastructure.

As an IT development manager, they ensure that their team or department operates efficiently, effectively, and in line with organizational goals. They work closely with senior executives and department heads to identify, develop, and support new technology solutions. They are also responsible for creating and ensuring adherence to organizational IT policy, procedures, and best practices. Such professionals should have analytical skills, organizational skills, decision-making skills, leadership and communication skills, and strong proficiency in computer operating systems, networks, and servers. Such individuals need at least a bachelor's degree to be eligible to become an IT manager. Degree programs in such fields as information or computer science and information technology management are standard for this field. Prior experience as a computer programmer or a related field is also desirable.

The average hourly pay for this position is $58.85, which amounts to $122,405 annually. The career is projected to substantially grow in the coming years and create new opportunities across the United States.

What general advice would you give to an information technology development manager?

Matthew Liotine Ph.D.Matthew Liotine Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Clinical Professor and Director of Master of Science in Supply Chain and Operations Management, University of Illinois at Chicago

Most employers tell me that soft skills are equally, if not more important, than technical skills or domain knowledge. This translates into external/internal customer-facing skills, such as communication, team collaboration, writing, presentation, problem-solving, and being resourceful. (Many graduates overlook writing as a vital skill, but they fail to realize that in the course of their jobs, they will likely be required to write lots of memos and tons of emails.) The need to perfect these skills within the confines of a virtual world has become even more challenging and amplified with COVID. I teach in the information systems discipline, and when you view student resumes, many people look the same on paper. The soft skills will make a candidate stand out head and shoulders above the rest. That's why the candidate should pay attention to the screening interviews that they will undergo during the hiring process since employers will use these interviews to vet these skills.
ScoreInformation Technology Development ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.1

Avg. Salary $119,032

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 12.61%

Black or African American 6.75%

Hispanic or Latino 10.14%

Unknown 5.21%

White 65.07%

Gender

female 21.02%

male 78.98%

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

Information technology development manager career paths

Key steps to become an information technology development manager

  1. Explore information technology development manager education requirements

    Most common information technology development manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.2 %

    Master's

    19.3 %

    Associate

    10.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific information technology development manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management7.12%
    Software Development6.86%
    Java6.19%
    Infrastructure5.12%
    Application Development5.05%
  3. Complete relevant information technology development manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information technology development 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 information technology development manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information technology development manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional information technology development manager certifications

    Information technology development 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 information technology development manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for information technology development managers include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research information technology development manager duties and responsibilities

    • Launch and manage a corporate-wide SharePoint implementation, allowing departments to effectively locate and manage departmental files and data.
    • Manage the Linux email campaign server to obtain the best email campaign reputation to maximize campaign success.
    • Provide technical guidance and manage a team of developers ranging from 6-20 resources for large scale projects following SDLC methodology.
    • Collaborate with internal audit to achieve compliance for various regulations (SOX, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA) and privacy laws.
  6. Prepare your information technology development manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information technology development 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 information technology development 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 information technology development manager resume templates

    Build a professional information technology development 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 information technology development manager resume.
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
    Information Technology Development Manager Resume
  7. Apply for information technology development manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an information technology development manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first information technology development manager job

Zippi

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Average information technology development manager salary

The average information technology development manager salary in the United States is $119,032 per year or $57 per hour. Information technology development manager salaries range between $91,000 and $154,000 per year.

Average information technology development manager salary
$119,032 Yearly
$57.23 hourly

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Information technology development manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

Staying abreast of technology and helping an organization define Technology strategy.

Cons

Work Life Balance can be difficult based on size of team and infrastructure.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Cons

If company is not supportive of new technology advancement.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I am not what do you like the most about working as an Information Technology Project Manage

Cons

Do not know


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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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