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What is an information technology operations leader and how to become one

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

The information technology operations leader is responsible for directing, overseeing the day-to-day activities of an information technology (IT) department. One of the major responsibilities of your job is to monitor the organization's network, server, and computer systems for performance and irregularities. You are to ensure that service, system, and infrastructure work securely and reliably, manage error logs, and assess system data.

Another aspect of this role is to determine when systems or servers are due for an upgrade, direct the activities of IT technicians to assist with IT department directives, and upgrade and directly support end-users. You are allowed to develop department policies to ensure the smooth running of the department. You are also in charge of resolving help desk escalation by providing direct users, negotiating rates with vendors, and overseeing installation and upgrade.

Strong financial management skills, problem-solving, communication skills, and technical skills are essential skills for an information technology operations leader. The average salary of an information technology operations leader annually is $101,000. However, a bachelor's degree in Business, Computer science, or other related fields is required.

What general advice would you give to an information technology operations leader?

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 Operations LeaderUS Average
Salary
7.7

Avg. Salary $102,369

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 12.30%

Black or African American 8.66%

Hispanic or Latino 12.35%

Unknown 5.06%

White 61.32%

Gender

female 20.00%

male 80.00%

Age - 42
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 - 42
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Information technology operations leader career paths

Key steps to become an information technology operations leader

  1. Explore information technology operations leader education requirements

    Most common information technology operations leader degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.9 %

    Master's

    17.3 %

    Associate

    17.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific information technology operations leader skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management9.25%
    Windows5.88%
    Cloud5.76%
    ITIL5.48%
    Lifecycle Management5.19%
  3. Complete relevant information technology operations leader training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information technology operations leaders 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 operations leader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information technology operations leader resumes.
  4. Research information technology operations leader duties and responsibilities

    • Direct database development team and manage SQL servers.
    • Manage CIO infrastructure engagements wing-to-wing from design to delivery.
    • Perform desktop PC hardware troubleshooting and warranty repair as well as network printers.
    • Monitor and address incident and change management activities using an ITSM software.
  5. Get information technology operations leader experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become an information technology operations leader. The most common roles before becoming an information technology operations leader include systems administrator, technical support specialist team lead and information technology project manager.
  6. Prepare your information technology operations leader resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information technology operations leader 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 operations leader 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 operations leader resume templates

    Build a professional information technology operations leader 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 operations leader resume.
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
    Information Technology Operations Leader Resume
  7. Apply for information technology operations leader jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an information technology operations leader 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 operations leader job

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Average information technology operations leader salary

The average information technology operations leader salary in the United States is $102,369 per year or $49 per hour. Information technology operations leader salaries range between $78,000 and $133,000 per year.

Average information technology operations leader salary
$102,369 Yearly
$49.22 hourly

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Information technology operations leader reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Cons

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


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

The opportunity to render services to client, and managing technology by giving key information to customers.

Cons

Not meeting up to expectation of a client.


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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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