What does a system development manager do?
System development manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real system development manager resumes:
- Lead design of POS replenishment process and software design/implementation to significantly increase retail sales.
- Collaborate with QA to maintain test environment and conduct different level of software testing.
- Perform QA analysis on all aspects of vendor's original code and custom modifications.
- Develop operational procedures and train corporate staff for support of ERP and HRIS systems.
- Serve as a member of the team to port the company's in-house ERP from FoxPro to SQL.
- Create and maintain disaster recovery database for customer installations creating revenue stream and minimizing customer impact of system failure.
- Drive compliance with SOX and other standards.
- Develop ITIL change management program to minimize risks relate to unplan outages to business operations and loss productivity.
System development manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of System Development Managers are proficient in Infrastructure, Systems Development, and Architecture. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of System Development Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Infrastructure, 11%
Developed and deployed updated security and user support infrastructure for Linux and Windows server product lines.
- Systems Development, 9%
Managed three analysts responsible for assisting in systems development as well as creating interim reporting and temporary solutions to system constraints.
- Architecture, 7%
Directed portfolio development effort that supported an application architecture strategy for migration to an N-Tier environment from various other platforms.
- Software Development, 7%
Emphasized adoption of comprehensive software development process to improve quality, maintainability and consistency.
- Java, 7%
Managed Java Development of an Enterprise Retail Customer Information Repository and its associated API.
- Project Management, 7%
Provided project management, analysis, documentation, measurement, reporting and test coordination for numerous projects of different sizes.
"infrastructure," "systems development," and "architecture" are among the most common skills that system development managers use at work. You can find even more system development manager responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a system development manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what system development managers do because "it managers must analyze problems and consider and select the best ways to solve them." Additionally, a system development manager resume shows how system development managers use analytical skills: "provide management of erp and hris system configurations and database installations. "
Business skills. Many system development manager duties rely on business skills. "it managers must develop and implement strategic plans to reach the goals of their organizations.," so a system development manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways system development manager responsibilities rely on business skills: "deployed & transitioned support of oracle erp financial applications for five business units into a steady state environment. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for system development managers to perform their duties. For an example of how system development manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "it managers must explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a system development manager: "secure service provisioning, access control and communications. ".
Leadership skills. system development manager responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "it managers must lead and motivate it teams or departments so that workers are efficient and effective." This resume example shows what system development managers do with leadership skills on a typical day: "provided leadership and technical implementation of oracle financials and lawson erp. "
Organizational skills. A commonly-found skill in system development manager job descriptions, "organizational skills" is essential to what system development managers do. System development manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "some it managers must coordinate the work of several different it departments to make the organization run efficiently." You can also see how system development manager duties rely on organizational skills in this resume example: "managed learning and development functions, records, and hris in support of organizational and hr strategies. "
The three companies that hire the most system development managers are:
- Amazon87 system development managers jobs
- Advance Auto Parts29 system development managers jobs
- Smartsheet12 system development managers jobs
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System development manager vs. Manager, systems engineering
A systems engineering manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of the company's technology systems and network infrastructure. System engineering managers inspect the output deliverables of computer systems, identifying process improvement techniques to improve optimal performance and maintain high-quality results. They handle the department's budget and allocate adequate resources to support project management operations and requirements. A systems engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, handling technical complexities, and configuring system management tools.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, system development manager responsibilities require skills like "systems development," "development process," "scrum," and "data warehouse." Meanwhile a typical manager, systems engineering has skills in areas such as "systems engineering," "dod," "rf," and "technical leadership." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Managers, systems engineering earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $131,371. On the other hand, system development managers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $137,524.On average, managers, systems engineering reach similar levels of education than system development managers. Managers, systems engineering are 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.System development manager vs. Project manager/team lead
Project Managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the operations of a project from inception to completion. Their duties include defining project scope, developing a project plan, creating work breakdown structures to distribute resources, and communicating responsibilities to all project team members and vendors. They organizie work schedules, set milestones, track project progress, resolve technical issues, articulate roadblocks to project sponsors, propose risk mitigation strategies, and maintain project documentation. Project Managers also handle file submission for project closure, conduct post-project evaluations, supervise project communications, act as chairman in project status meetings, develop project governance structures and liaise with system security managers to coordinate system security activities.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, system development manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "systems development," "architecture," "software development," and "java." Meanwhile, a project manager/team lead has duties that require skills in areas such as "project scope," "process improvement," "risk management," and "status reports." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Project managers/team lead earn similar levels of education than system development managers in general. They're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.System development manager vs. Information systems director
An Information Systems Director spearheads and oversees a business establishment's information systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They set goals and guidelines, establish protocols and timelines, liaise with external business partners such as vendors and suppliers, manage staff, and develop strategies to optimize operations. As an Information Systems Director, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach performance and service goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from system development manager resumes include skills like "infrastructure," "systems development," "architecture," and "java," whereas an information systems director is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "network infrastructure," "windows server," and "disaster recovery. "
Information systems directors earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $125,492. Comparatively, system development managers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $137,524.information systems directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to system development managers. Specifically, they're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.System development manager vs. Senior information technology manager
A senior information technology manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of the company's technology and network systems. Senior information technology managers oversee technology infrastructures and operations, ensuring the processes adhere to the company policies and regulations. They analyze the schematics and specifications of computer systems, maintaining the safety and security across all networks to prevent unauthorized access. A senior information technology manager must have extensive knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between system development managers and senior information technology managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a system development manager might have more use for skills like "infrastructure," "systems development," "development process," and "performance reviews." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior information technology managers require skills like "cloud," "strong problem-solving," "customer service," and "sr."
Senior information technology managers enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $143,891. For comparison, system development managers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.senior information technology managers reach similar levels of education compared to system development managers, in general. The difference is that they're 4.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of system development manager
Updated January 8, 2025











