What Does an IT Manager Do?
An IT manager oversees the daily operations of an organization’s information technology systems and leads the team responsible for supporting users, maintaining infrastructure, and executing IT projects. This mid-level leadership role serves as the primary point of contact between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring that systems are secure, reliable, and aligned with organizational needs. IT managers are responsible for supervising help desk staff, coordinating system upgrades, and managing hardware and software resources.
In addition to managing operations, IT managers play a crucial role in project planning, resource allocation, and vendor coordination. They help enforce cybersecurity protocols, ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards, and troubleshoot system-wide issues. By maintaining strong communication across departments and keeping IT systems running smoothly, IT managers help ensure business continuity and technology-driven efficiency.
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IT Manager Core Responsibilities
- Supervise IT support staff and infrastructure administrators across daily operations
- Oversee the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of hardware and software
- Manage IT service delivery, ticketing systems, and end-user support processes
- Coordinate system updates, patching schedules, and network performance monitoring
- Lead departmental IT projects, such as system migrations or office tech deployments
- Manage relationships with hardware/software vendors and service providers
- Enforce IT security and compliance policies across endpoints and infrastructure
- Develop documentation for systems, processes, and training
- Monitor IT budget, procurement, and asset management
- Collaborate with leadership to align IT capabilities with business needs
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in managing IT systems (Windows Server, Office 365, cloud platforms)
- Experience with ticketing and service desk platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira)
- Network administration and endpoint security knowledge
- Familiarity with backup systems, MDM, and asset tracking tools
- Understanding of IT governance and compliance frameworks (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR)
Soft skills
- Leadership and staff development
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills
- Time management and prioritization
- Clear, effective communication across technical and non-technical users
- Decision-making under operational pressure
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or related field
Certifications
- Recommended: CompTIA Network+, ITIL Foundation, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), PMP or equivalent project management certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 5–7 years of experience in IT operations or systems administration
- Previous experience managing help desk or infrastructure support teams
- Experience implementing new systems or large-scale tech rollouts
- Familiarity with hybrid environments and remote workforce support
National Average Salary
IT manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for an IT Manager is:
$115,632
Sample Job Description Templates for IT Managers
Assistant IT Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking an Assistant IT Manager to support the day-to-day administration and operations of our IT department. This hands-on leadership role assists with managing help desk workflows, supporting infrastructure operations, and supervising junior staff. The ideal candidate brings a mix of technical knowledge and leadership potential, with a strong focus on user support and systems reliability.
Responsibilities
- Assist in managing IT support operations and service desk workflows
- Supervise help desk technicians and assist with escalated issues
- Support IT infrastructure tasks, including patching, backups, and asset management
- Document procedures, user guides, and system configurations
- Help track IT inventory, licenses, and procurement activities
- Collaborate with senior IT staff on projects and upgrades
- Ensure user requests are resolved within SLAs and customer service standards
- Participate in team training, onboarding, and knowledge-sharing initiatives
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience supporting Windows, Office 365, and common enterprise tools
- Familiarity with ticketing platforms and system monitoring tools
- Basic understanding of networking and device security
Soft skills
- Team leadership and task delegation
- Clear communication with end users and IT staff
- Dependability and attention to detail
- Problem-solving in fast-paced settings
Education
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in information technology or related field
Certifications
- Recommended: CompTIA Network+, ITIL Foundation, Microsoft certifications
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–4 years of IT support experience with some supervisory exposure
- Familiarity with onboarding, account provisioning, and ticket escalations
Senior IT Manager
Position Overview
We are looking for a Senior IT Manager to lead our technology teams, infrastructure projects, and departmental strategy. This role combines people management, vendor oversight, and operational planning to ensure all systems and services support the company’s goals. Ideal candidates are experienced IT leaders with a proven ability to execute complex projects and guide high-performing teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead IT support, infrastructure, and systems administration teams
- Oversee delivery of IT projects, including upgrades, migrations, and rollouts
- Manage departmental budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships
- Define KPIs for system uptime, ticket resolution, and team productivity
- Collaborate with department heads to align IT solutions with business needs
- Enforce IT security, compliance, and asset management policies
- Conduct team evaluations and support professional development
- Ensure documentation and disaster recovery plans are up to date
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep knowledge of enterprise systems, cloud services, and infrastructure tools
- Experience with vendor negotiation, service-level management, and budgeting
- Familiarity with security frameworks and compliance best practices
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and coaching
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving under pressure
- Clear communication with executive and technical stakeholders
- Project prioritization and resource management
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, MIS, or related field
Certifications
- Recommended: PMP, ITIL Practitioner, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years of IT experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory role
- Experience managing IT staff in hybrid or distributed work environments
Global IT Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Global IT Manager to lead the coordination and standardization of IT operations across multiple international regions. This role oversees infrastructure, user support, and system performance while ensuring adherence to global compliance and security standards. Ideal candidates bring cross-cultural leadership, strong technical insight, and enterprise-level operational experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead IT operations across global offices, ensuring consistent service delivery and infrastructure uptime
- Align technology practices across regions while accommodating local requirements
- Manage regional IT leads, vendor contracts, and compliance across multiple countries
- Oversee global communication platforms, network connectivity, and data center/cloud performance
- Enforce global cybersecurity policies and incident response standards
- Coordinate IT projects involving international stakeholders and third-party service providers
- Report on KPIs and develop IT operations dashboards for executive leadership
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, data sovereignty, and local regulatory frameworks
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience managing international infrastructure and distributed support teams
- Familiarity with cloud platforms, SaaS tools, and global communications networks
- Understanding of global IT compliance and risk frameworks
Soft skills
- Cross-cultural communication and global team leadership
- Strategic thinking with attention to regional needs
- Change management and policy enforcement
- Executive reporting and business alignment
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or related field
Certifications
- Recommended: ITIL Expert, CISM, AWS/Azure Cloud Architect certifications
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of IT experience, including 3+ years managing global or regional teams
- Experience standardizing operations across multiple time zones and languages
Regional IT Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Regional IT Manager to lead technology operations for a specific geographic area, ensuring consistent service delivery and infrastructure reliability. This role manages a local team of IT professionals, oversees systems performance, and supports the rollout of enterprise initiatives within the region. The ideal candidate is hands-on, resourceful, and skilled in both team and stakeholder management.
Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day IT operations across designated regional sites or business units
- Supervise help desk staff, infrastructure support, and local vendors
- Monitor system performance and ensure uptime for local network and server assets
- Coordinate implementation of company-wide initiatives at the regional level
- Oversee technology onboarding for new offices or business expansions
- Act as liaison between corporate IT and regional business leadership
- Track metrics and report operational status to senior IT leadership
- Ensure compliance with IT policies, licensing, and security standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong working knowledge of desktop, server, and networking technologies
- Experience with service management tools and endpoint monitoring platforms
- Ability to deploy, support, and troubleshoot local infrastructure systems
Soft skills
- Regional team leadership and communication
- Practical problem-solving and resourcefulness
- Ability to manage priorities across multiple office locations
- Relationship-building with regional stakeholders
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science
Certifications
- Recommended: CompTIA Network+/Security+, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), ITIL Foundation
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in IT support or infrastructure roles, including team supervision
- Familiarity with multi-site or regional IT rollout planning
IT Operations Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking an IT Operations Manager to lead all aspects of technology service delivery, including infrastructure reliability, system performance, and user support. This role is responsible for optimizing daily IT functions, enforcing SLAs, and implementing best practices to ensure system uptime and user satisfaction. Ideal candidates excel in process improvement, team leadership, and technical execution.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily IT operations, ensuring infrastructure and support services run efficiently
- Monitor system health, network availability, and application uptime
- Define and enforce operational KPIs, service-level targets, and escalation protocols
- Manage IT support workflows, help desk queues, and resource scheduling
- Implement process improvements, automation, and ITSM standards
- Collaborate with security and infrastructure teams to coordinate upgrades and patches
- Document procedures, systems configurations, and change management logs
- Lead operational audits, incident reviews, and root cause analysis
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with ITSM frameworks and ticketing platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira)
- Strong grasp of infrastructure operations, including virtualization, storage, and backups
- Proficiency in system monitoring tools and performance analysis
Soft skills
- Detail-oriented mindset with continuous improvement focus
- Operational leadership and metrics-driven decision-making
- Clear communication with technical teams and business users
- Conflict resolution and crisis management skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, MIS, or related discipline
Certifications
- Recommended: ITIL Intermediate/Practitioner, PMP, or equivalent project certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 6+ years in IT operations or support roles, with at least 2 in a management capacity
- Experience leading infrastructure upgrades, support center transformation, or ITIL adoption