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

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Matthew Liotine Ph.D.
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An information technology operations manager is responsible for providing technical support to ensure smooth operation in an organization. He/she maintains the organization's IT infrastructure and provides solutions to end-users in resolving tech issues. They also determine the organization's hardware and software needs and conduct regular maintenance and upgrades to guarantee optimal operational performance for everyone.

To be successful in their role, information technology operations managers must have the relevant technical skills as well as considerable work experience in the field. They should also have analytical skills, leadership skills, analytical skills, and excellent communication skills to accomplish their responsibilities.

Most information technology operations managers work full time in an office setting. They work at least 40 hours a week from Monday to Friday from 9 to 5. Sometimes they are required to work overtime when there are IT issues that demand their immediate attention.

What general advice would you give to an information technology operations 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 Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.0

Avg. Salary $114,752

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 12.64%

Black or African American 6.71%

Hispanic or Latino 10.07%

Unknown 5.20%

White 65.17%

Gender

female 14.70%

male 85.30%

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 operations manager career paths

Key steps to become an information technology operations manager

  1. Explore information technology operations manager education requirements

    Most common information technology operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.9 %

    Associate

    16.5 %

    Master's

    13.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific information technology operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service10.00%
    Project Management6.92%
    ITIL5.93%
    Cloud4.10%
    Network Infrastructure3.88%
  3. Complete relevant information technology operations manager training and internships

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

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

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

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

    • Lead all technology upgrades and infrastructure improvements while managing desktop and SharePoint support staff.
    • Negotiate contracts, and manage external service providers such as, CDN, hosting, telecom, and SAAS.
    • Manage staff within assign area, desktop, server, database, network, VoIP, file transfer and implementation.
    • Manage, plan, document and implement a multi-cloud and DNS provider consolidation for a high traffic cell phone application.
  6. Prepare your information technology operations manager resume

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

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

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

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Average information technology operations manager salary

The average information technology operations manager salary in the United States is $114,752 per year or $55 per hour. Information technology operations manager salaries range between $86,000 and $152,000 per year.

Average information technology operations manager salary
$114,752 Yearly
$55.17 hourly

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How do information technology operations managers rate their job?

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Information technology operations manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2024
Pros

It makes sense! Operations based.

Cons

Lifecycle is not flashy. Software is confusing.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

Lot's of things to implement, improve, new ways to work.


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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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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