Post job

What is a senior implementation specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

Senior implementation specialists are seasoned professionals specialized in customizing purchased software to meet the personalized needs of customers. They install and monitor software systems, making sure customers have a positive experience with the products they buy.

You will initiate the implementation process as soon as the sales representative colleague closed the deal. You will consult with clients to understand their preferences and define the objectives they need the purchased software to fulfil. You will collect all the necessary information from the clients and use it to design appropriate application interfaces, import client data, adjust metrics preferences and set up customized reporting specifics. Training customers on correct usage of the installed software systems will also be your job.

Customer service is a big part of this job, so patience with clients and great communication skills will be essential. A degree in computer science or an information technology related area is typically required of candidates for this position. A passion for problem-solving is a must and, of course, extensive technical knowledge is non-negotiable. Once you have all this down pat, you work will be valued at around $45.23 an hour.

ScoreSenior Implementation SpecialistUS Average
Salary
7.3

Avg. Salary $93,628

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 11.49%

Black or African American 11.96%

Hispanic or Latino 15.77%

Unknown 5.35%

White 55.03%

Gender

female 47.88%

male 52.12%

Age - 41
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 - 41
Stress level
6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Senior implementation specialist career paths

Key steps to become a senior implementation specialist

  1. Explore senior implementation specialist education requirements

    Most common senior implementation specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.9 %

    Associate

    12.6 %

    Master's

    11.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior implementation specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Client Facing24.64%
    Project Management12.31%
    Erp Implementation3.45%
    Technical Support3.44%
    Implementation Process3.26%
  3. Complete relevant senior implementation specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior implementation specialists 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 a senior implementation specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior implementation specialist resumes.
  4. Research senior implementation specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage team accountable for all facets of implementation from contract signing through go-live.
    • Manage the implementations through the entire project life cycle from initial analysis to development, training, testing, and go-live.
    • Manage configuration of ADP mainframe to accommodate customize client specifications.
    • Leverage industry experience, negotiation skills and communication competency to engage stakeholders to accomplish a trading system upgrade and database conversion.
  5. Get senior implementation specialist experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior implementation specialist. The most common roles before becoming a senior implementation specialist include implementation specialist, service representative team lead and consultant.
  6. Prepare your senior implementation specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior implementation specialist 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 a senior implementation specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior implementation specialist resume templates

    Build a professional senior implementation specialist 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 senior implementation specialist resume.
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
    Senior Implementation Specialist Resume
  7. Apply for senior implementation specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior implementation specialist 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 senior implementation specialist job

Zippi

Are you a senior implementation specialist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average senior implementation specialist salary

The average senior implementation specialist salary in the United States is $93,628 per year or $45 per hour. Senior implementation specialist salaries range between $67,000 and $129,000 per year.

Average senior implementation specialist salary
$93,628 Yearly
$45.01 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do senior implementation specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Senior implementation specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

With the company that I work for, being an implementations analyst is sort of a hybrid role between account management and a more technical role.


Working as a senior implementation specialist? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs