Information systems manager

An information systems manager ensures that an organisation's computer systems, networks and applications run smoothly and effectively

The role involves managing and coordinating cross-functional technical teams, including application support, infrastructure and systems, who are all experts in their own field.

You will have responsibility for setting up an organisation's IT infrastructure and ensuring that it is secure, working at optimal efficiency and fit for purpose. Skilled in planning ahead and seeing the bigger picture, you will plan, manage and implement new IT projects as well as overseeing routine maintenance, security and ongoing development, so that the IT system continues to effectively meet the business's needs.

To succeed as an information systems manager, you will need a combination of strong technical and management skills.

This role may also be advertised as a functional manager, service delivery manager or systems manager.

Responsibilities

As an information systems manager, you'll need to:

• develop and implement IT service improvement plans, consulting with colleagues to ensure it will meet their requirements
• research, plan and manage the implementation of new systems and technology, directing the work of systems and business analysts, developers, support specialists and other IT staff
• evaluate user needs and system functionality, ensuring that IT facilities meet these needs
• plan, develop and implement the IT budget
• manage relationships with external suppliers and sub-contractors, and negotiate competitive prices to ensure cost-effectiveness
• guarantee the smooth running of all IT systems, including anti-virus software, print services and email provision
• schedule upgrades and security backups of hardware and software systems and secure data from internal and external attack
• manage licence and software contracts and ensure that users adhere to software licencing laws
• supervise IT equipment management and distribution across the organisation and provide secure access to the network for remote users
• offer users appropriate IT support and advice
• manage crisis situations, which may involve complex technical hardware or software problems
• mentor and train new IT support staff
• keep up to date with the latest technologies
• provide advice to senior managers on future investment in IT systems and processes, and contribute to organisational policy regarding quality standards and strategic planning
• develop and drive the organisation's IT strategy, ensuring it aligns with the overall development strategy.

Salary

• You'll need to have experience in the IT sector to get a job as an information systems manager. This means that typical salaries range from around £40,000 to in excess of £65,000 depending on your location (salaries are usually higher in London, for example), the type of organisation you work for, and your skills and previous experience.
• It's also possible with experience to work on a freelance consultancy basis charging on a daily or project rate basis.

Employee benefits may include a private pension scheme, private healthcare and bonus scheme, as well as support for training and gaining relevant certifications.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You will typically work normal office hours, but should expect to work some unsocial hours to undertake planned security maintenance and upgrade work. Much of the work is project based, which may require longer working hours to meet deadlines. You could also be called out at any time to resolve crises.

There may be opportunities for hybrid working.

What to expect

• Most of the work is office-based, although you may need to visit suppliers and subcontractors.
• Jobs are available throughout the UK with organisations that have IT systems. Project management work is available on short-term contracts if you have extensive experience in the role. Self-employment or freelance work is possible in areas where the IT sector employs contractors.
• You will need to be able to work under pressure and be comfortable making decisions, liaising with people at all levels in an organisation, including senior management, and managing a team.
• Although more companies are addressing the gender imbalance in the IT sector, women are still underrepresented. This is a recognised issue and steps are being taken to redress the balance. See Women in Tech and BCSWomen for more information and opportunities. 
• Travel within a working day, absence from home overnight and overseas travel may be occasionally required. There are some opportunities to work overseas, particularly within international companies located in several countries.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates and HND holders with relevant industry experience, a degree in information technology or related fields may increase your chances.

The following subjects may also help:

• business management with computer science
• computer science
• information science
• software engineering.

Tech Industry Gold Skills, with the help of some of the biggest employers, has designed the BSc and MSc IT Management for Business (ITMB) degrees. The aim is to give students the technical, business and interpersonal skills needed for a career in the IT sector. These degrees are accredited by TechSkills. 

There are also a range of IT degree courses that are accredited by the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT). 

If your undergraduate degree isn't in information technology or a related subject, you could consider taking a postgraduate course in computer science. For further information, search postgraduate courses in computer science.

Alternatively, you can do a degree apprenticeship. The Level 6 Digital & Technology degree apprenticeship, for example, combines study with paid work, allowing you to train on the job and gain a qualification. Find an apprenticeship. 

Entry into the field may be possible without a degree or HND if you have substantial relevant experience and skills.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent knowledge of information systems architecture and security as well as skills in areas such as operating systems, programming and development tools
• leadership skills and the ability to manage and motivate a team
• critical thinking skills
• the ability to contribute to and implement organisational strategy
• confident decision-making skills and a systematic approach to problem solving
• negotiating and influencing skills
• the ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with staff across different departments
• organisation, planning and time management skills
• commercial awareness
• the ability to use your initiative and work well under pressure
• communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• project management skills
• the ability to work with people at all levels in an organisation and to build relationships with external subcontractors.

Work experience

As this is a management role, you will need experience in the IT sector. This could be in a range of areas including technical support, operations, hardware, operating systems and systems development.

You can start to build up experience through work placements and internships during your degree or through a year out in industry. This type of experience will provide you with the opportunity to develop your practical skills and build a network of contacts that can be useful when looking for graduate jobs.

Large companies usually advertise internships and placements on their websites and on IT job websites, but you may have to make targeted speculative applications to smaller businesses.

There may also be opportunities to do IT-related voluntary work for community-based projects and charities.

You could consider applying for programming jobs and graduate IT training programmes as a first career step. You could also take advantage of networking opportunities offered through membership of a professional body such as the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT).

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Opportunities exist in any organisation that makes use of IT facilities, so the range of potential employers is vast.

Recruiters include:

• IT sector companies including consultancy firms, software houses, IT services providers and telecom companies - ranging from industry giants such as IBM, to micro companies employing fewer than five people
• not-for-profit sector organisations
• private sector businesses, including financial institutions
• public sector organisations, such as local and central government, universities, hospitals and education institutions.

Self-employment and freelance consultancy are also options.

Look for job vacancies at:

• CWJobs
• IT JobBoard 
• Technojobs
• LinkedIn.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Crimson, Monarch IT, Hays IT and Technology and VIQU commonly handle vacancies.

Professional development

Most of your training is likely to be technical in nature to ensure that you're up to speed with advances in IT products and services, as well as new technologies.

However, you'll also need to develop your soft skills, including:

• communication
• customer service
• leadership
• project management
• teamwork and team leadership
• time management.

You can also expect to be trained in company systems and procedures. Most training is on the job, supplemented by short, internal or external courses as appropriate.

Formal training is more likely in larger organisations and may include mentoring schemes for new information systems managers, tailored training and support for taking professional certifications. In smaller companies, a greater degree of self-study - such as e-learning courses - may be the norm.

You will need to keep learning throughout your career. Membership of relevant bodies such as the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) is useful for access to events, training, advice and building up a network of contacts.

You could study part time for a Masters degree or undertake a practitioner qualification offered by a specialist training provider. Useful qualifications include the BCS professional certifications and Prince2 project management qualifications.

Career prospects

Once you're in the role of information systems manager, you'll have a variety of career options open to you.

In a larger organisation you may be able to follow a structured career path leading to increased management and technical responsibility. You could also progress into roles in project management and IT group management.

In smaller companies there may be less progression potential but greater flexibility to either work across more aspects of the business or to customise your role in line with your interests. Where progression is limited, you can usually use the experience you've gained to move on to a different company, either in a higher level role or perhaps to broaden your skillset.

You could eventually consider running your own business in areas such as technical consultancy, contracting or project management.