How To Become A Systems Operations Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a systems operations manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Mark Whalen P.E.

A systems operations manager is in charge of overseeing the systems and operations of a company, ensuring that all of them are performing optimally. Another major duty is to develop and implement strategies that can improve existing systems and enhance the company's overall productivity.

The secondary responsibilities of a systems operations manager normally include training new employees, meeting with different departments, monitoring subordinates, and managing work schedules. They report to upper management and often work with other managers to develop strategies in improving the company's existing systems and operations.

The common requirement for this role is a bachelor's degree in business or management, but one can increase their chances of job placement by acquiring a master's degree. Experience is another major requirement, with most companies looking for at least four to five years of relevant experience in the industry.

Considering the responsibilities of a systems operations manager, one must have strong skills in leadership, people management, organization, and analysis to become a good candidate. In exchange for these heavy job duties, a systems operations manager earns an average salary of about $102,000 a year, with top earners taking home as much as $145,900 annually.

What general advice would you give to a systems operations manager?

Mark Whalen P.E.

Department Chair, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

A system engineer designs, develops, and manages complex technical systems across a large variety of industries. This can include defining solutions to system-level problems, plus allocating requirements, technologies and team member tasking at a project level, as well as communicating complex ideas and systems to key stakeholders.

An entry-level system engineer will typically apply advanced mathematical techniques to solve system-level technical problems, as well as installing, testing, and troubleshooting complex operating systems

ScoreSystems Operations ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $109,735

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.42%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 15.39%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.13%

Gender

female 21.23%

male 78.77%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a systems operations manager

Explore systems operations manager education requirements

Most common systems operations manager degrees

Bachelor's

64.2 %

Associate

17.6 %

Master's

11.8 %

Start to develop specific systems operations manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	11.28%
Systems Operations	7.10%
Customer Service	5.47%
Process Improvement	4.69%
Management System	4.22%

Complete relevant systems operations manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New systems 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 a systems operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real systems operations manager resumes.

Research systems operations manager duties and responsibilities

Manage all servers in Linux and AIX environments.
Architect and manage an ECM SharePoint 2007 farm including InfoPath, StoragePoint, and KnowledgeLake.
Manage multiple systems including: network server, email, VOIP system, online registration database.
Manage all HVAC systems on campus, including diagnosing problems, completing repairs, and performing preventative maintenance.

Prepare your systems operations manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your systems operations manager resume.

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