How to Become an IT Manager

Digital innovation is at the crux of business growth today, and, more than ever, information technology professionals are tasked with identifying cutting-edge digital solutions.

With demand for sophisticated technological solutions comes an increased need for highly qualified information technology professionals, including information technology managers who have the technical expertise and leadership skills necessary to manage IT teams, communicate the value of IT opportunities, and drive organizations to success.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for IT managers will continue to grow as firms look to expand their digital platforms. As an in-demand field, information technology management is a wise career choice for those interested in leading technical projects and helping companies prepare for the future of today’s ever-changing subsets of technology.

If you’ve been working in information technology for a while and have been looking for the right time to take the next step in your career, you might have been wondering how to become an IT manager. Advancing your career in IT management may require expanding your technical skills and obtaining new qualifications, namely leadership and management skills. Earning a master’s degree in information technology is one way to qualify for management and c-suite level positions that are responsible for driving innovation within their organizations.

To help guide you through this next step in your career, we’ve listed some of the necessary skill sets and education requirements needed to become an IT manager, in addition to some career and salary expectations.

What Do Information Technology Managers Do?

Information technology managers are generally responsible for overseeing and maintaining an organization’s computer technology and information systems. As leaders of their department, they balance technical oversight with strategic decision-making to ensure technology supports overall business goals. Below are some of the key responsibilities of an IT manager:

• Oversee Technical Projects: Define scope, requirements, and success metrics; select tools and vendors; manage risks; and deliver solutions on time and within budget.
• Manage Budgets and Schedules: Forecast costs (hardware, software, licenses, staffing), prioritize spend, track burn rates, and adapt timelines to keep initiatives on course.
• Assess and Optimize IT Infrastructure: Evaluate networks, cloud services, endpoints, and data platforms; improve performance, availability, and scalability while reducing technical debt.
• Implement Emerging Technologies: Scan for business-ready innovations (e.g., cloud-native services, automation, analytics), build pilots, and lead phased deployments that add measurable value.
• Ensure Cross-Department Communication: Act as the bridge between technical teams and stakeholders in operations, finance, HR, and leadership to align expectations and resolve blockers quickly.
• Lead and Develop IT Teams: Hire, coach, and mentor staff; set goals; conduct reviews; foster psychological safety and continuous learning; and establish clear incident and change processes.
• Support Strategic Business Goals: Translate strategy into IT roadmaps, KPIs, and governance; prioritize work that drives revenue, efficiency, customer experience, and risk reduction.
• Maintain Cybersecurity and Compliance: Implement policies, controls, and training; oversee identity and access, patching, backups, incident response, and compliance with applicable regulations.

What Skills Should an IT Manager Have?

When it comes to becoming an IT manager, technical proficiency alone is not quite enough to set you up for success. Information technology managers wear many hats. Individuals looking to break into information technology management must have a versatile skill set that incorporates a balance of technical aptitude and people management skills. Below, we’ve noted some of today’s most important skills for IT managers.

Technical Aptitude

Information technology managers are responsible for navigating companies and their teams through times of technological change. To effectively lead IT team members, managers must have deep experience using various types of information systems and computer technologies. This means that not only do they need to understand today’s IT best practices, but also must be aware of emerging IT trends and be able to recognize how they can be incorporated into their company’s current technology configuration.

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is a key skill for any IT professional, regardless of their seniority. Identifying potential security risks, discovering new ways to optimize existing systems, and configuring network structures that protect against threats, are pivotal responsibilities for IT professionals. Successful IT managers must be expert problem solvers to properly guide their team members in solving and mitigating challenges.

People Skills

What sets apart IT technicians from IT managers is management and leadership experience. IT managers must be effective communicators, problem solvers, conflict resolvers, and internal advocates for their team members to ensure they have the resources and equipment necessary to be the best possible IT workers.

General Business Acumen

IT managers are responsible for ensuring that information systems are optimized to their fullest potential and align with an organization’s overall business goals and strategic direction. This means having the general business acumen to understand how decisions about the company’s networks and systems will affect other areas of the business, which means understanding opportunity-cost and how to communicate new opportunities to other executives and stakeholders.

Decision-Making

In management positions, IT professionals must make decisions that can impact and alter the day-to-day processes and overall organization of a company’s technology systems. These decisions can pertain to business needs, such as adopting new technologies and digital solutions, to people-based decisions, such as onboarding team members, conducting training on new best practices, and implementing structural change. Effective IT managers are not only responsible for making well-informed technical decisions pertaining to the future of the organization, but they also need to communicate the value of these decisions to other executives.

Project Management

IT managers must have strong organizational and project management skills in order to manage and track ongoing projects, deadlines, budgets, and schedules, as well as to communicate requirements and provide status updates to other internal teams and executives.

IT Manager: Jobs and Salaries

Gaining the skill sets mentioned above will certainly set you on the path toward becoming an IT manager; however, you might be wondering what other qualifications are necessary to advance your career into management-level positions. To break into management positions, candidates often need between five and 10 years of professional information technology experience under their belt.

However, exact job requirements will vary from company to company, so it is important to conduct thorough research on the qualifications of the exact positions you’re after. Knowing what companies are looking for can also help you craft your resume to reflect the needs listed in the job description, which can be helpful to stand out to recruiters.

As you consider taking the next steps in furthering your information technology career, you may be curious: How much do information technology managers make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 median annual salary for computer and information systems managers was $151,150, which is significantly higher than the median annual pay for other occupations. While salaries will vary between industries and organizations, generally, holding a master’s degree in the information technology field significantly increases your earning potential as an IT manager.

Steps to Become an IT Manager

Becoming an IT manager is a mix of education, hands-on experience, leadership growth, and targeted credentials. Use these steps as a practical roadmap.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree 

Start with a bachelor’s in information technology, computer science, or a related field to build core skills in networking, systems, databases, cloud, and security. A program with real-world projects and labs will help you stand out.

Gain Experience 

Begin in entry- to mid-level roles (help desk, systems/network admin, cloud support, cybersecurity analyst, business analyst). Seek stretch assignments where you document solutions, own deliverables, and collaborate across departments—these translate directly to management readiness.

Get Certifications 

Pursue stackable credentials aligned to your path and employer tech stack. Common options include CompTIA Network+/Security+, ITIL® for service management, cloud certs (AWS, Azure, GCP), and project credentials like CAPM®/PMP®. Certifications validate skills and can accelerate promotions.

Build Your Skills 

Develop leadership and “bridge” skills: communication, budgeting, vendor management, risk assessment, and stakeholder alignment. Broaden your technical toolkit (scripting/automation, cloud, identity, observability) while deepening expertise in one or two focus areas.

Consider a Master’s Degree 

A master’s can speed your move into management by adding strategy, architecture, governance, and change leadership. It’s especially valuable if you’re targeting larger orgs or cross-functional leadership roles.

Target IT Manager Roles 

Tailor your résumé to highlight measurable outcomes (uptime gains, cost savings, security posture improvements, project deliveries). Network with internal leaders, apply for titles like IT Manager, Infrastructure Manager, Applications Manager, or similar, and prepare stories that demonstrate team leadership and business impact. 

How Long Does it Take to Become an IT Manager? 

Most professionals reach IT manager roles in 4–8 years, depending on education, certifications, project scope, leadership opportunities, and the size/maturity of the organization.

Ready to Step Into IT Leadership? 

Champlain College Online offers flexible, career-focused programs designed for working adults who want to advance in IT leadership. You can start by building the technical foundation employers expect with a Bachelor’s in Information Technology, or take the next step in your career by strengthening your strategy, governance, and leadership expertise with a Master’s in Information Technology. 

If you are unsure which path is right for you, you can request more information and receive guidance tailored to your goals.