Senior IT managers oversee direct reports, manage budgets and projects, and participate in strategic planning. They require at least 10 years of experience and must stay current with technology trends.
A senior IT manager’s key responsibilities include: direct reporting oversight, budgeting and finance responsibilities, managing projects and overseeing your portfolio. Senior information technology (IT) managers are found in many industries. The widespread implementation of information technology in almost all business organizations has led to the need for dedicated IT workers. In large organizations, there are often IT departments and management positions needed to support business operations.
To become a senior IT manager, a minimum of 10 years of information technology management experience is required by most employers. In a large organization, it is not uncommon to have a hierarchical structure, with managers and senior managers. The senior manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations and implementing strategic plans.
Supervision of direct reports includes making hiring decisions, performance reviews, and dispensing discipline. Due to the subject matter expertise the senior IT manager must have, he may be required to create detailed job descriptions and create training programs for existing staff. As technology changes, the senior manager must stay current and ensure employees are given the tools to keep their skills up to date.
Project management is a significant part of an information technology manager’s responsibilities. These tasks include defining specifications, creating project plans, working with business users, and setting a budget. While the actual project management responsibility can be delegated to a younger manager, the senior IT manager must ensure that the project stays on track. He or she is primarily responsible for the success or failure of initiatives within a portfolio.
Defining the overall project budget and managing divisional spend is part of this position’s responsibilities. Most information technology managers do not have an accounting background and often complete budget management certificate programs to fill this gap in training. Effective budget management includes reducing expenses and increasing income whenever and wherever possible.
In addition to operational management, senior employees participate in strategic planning sessions, business reviews, and setting the organization’s long-term direction. Part of that process includes keeping top-level managers informed about divisional progress and issues and steps taken to resolve issues. Coordination of activities between divisions and other areas of the company is usually organized at this level.
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