Occupation · SOC 11-3021
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Median wage
$171,200
$104,450–—
Projected growth
+15.2%
Faster than average
Annual openings
10,160
per year
Employed (US)
645,970
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
4,245 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringSpeakingCoordinationWriting
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementEngineering and TechnologyEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Customer relationship management CRM softwareDesktop publishing softwareWeb platform development softwareObject or component oriented development softwareData base management system software
Representative tasks
Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standMeet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and rReview project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Daily department workflows — observe and document under supervisor direction to identify bottlenecks in an IT operations environment.Project plans and task lists — review and summarize key milestones under guidance from a senior IT manager.Systems analysts and programmers — assist in tracking work assignments using a project management tool in a mid-size technology department.Technical support requests — respond to routine computer problems by following established troubleshooting protocols with end users.Vendor communications — participate in meetings with technology vendors to learn procurement and cooperation procedures.Data security policies — apply existing backup and access-control standards under supervision in a corporate IT setting.Technology industry publications — read and summarize advances in computing to support awareness briefings for the management team.Staff recruitment processes — assist HR and senior managers in scheduling interviews and compiling candidate materials.CRM and database management software — navigate and enter data accurately following departmental procedures.Written reports and status updates — draft routine correspondence and progress summaries under editorial review by a department manager.
developing
Departmental workflow priorities — analyze and adjust daily task sequencing with limited oversight to meet established service-level deadlines.Cross-functional coordination meetings — facilitate discussions with department heads and supervisors to resolve recurring operational issues.Project activity plans — review and coordinate timelines across multiple IT projects, flagging conflicts for senior leadership.Programmer and analyst work products — assign tasks and conduct structured reviews of deliverables against technical specifications.User technical support escalations — diagnose and resolve moderately complex computer problems, coordinating with vendor support as needed.Data security and disaster recovery procedures — implement and test established recovery protocols in a corporate IT environment.Emerging technology assessments — evaluate new tools and platforms and prepare adoption recommendations for management review.Staff performance and training — deliver onboarding guidance and performance feedback to junior IT staff under departmental HR frameworks.Database and development environment software — configure and query systems to support reporting and operational decision-making.Operational standards documentation — author and maintain departmental procedures, standards, and policy updates for IT staff use.
proficient
Full-scope department operations — direct daily IT workflows autonomously, establishing priorities, setting deadlines, and enforcing performance standards across the team.Stakeholder problem resolution — lead meetings with department heads, vendors, and executive sponsors to negotiate solutions to complex cross-functional technology issues.Enterprise project portfolios — coordinate and review multi-phase project plans, reallocating resources and adjusting scope to maintain strategic alignment.Technical staff performance — assign, mentor, and evaluate systems analysts, programmers, and IT specialists, ensuring work quality meets organizational requirements.Complex user and system problems — diagnose and resolve non-routine technology failures, applying advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis methods.Information resource strategy — develop and enforce data security frameworks, strategic computing architectures, and disaster recovery plans for the organization.Technology landscape monitoring — synthesize emerging advances in hardware, software, and cybersecurity to proactively adapt departmental capabilities.Full-cycle staffing management — recruit, interview, hire, and train IT staff, making independent hiring recommendations aligned with departmental growth plans.Integrated technology platforms — evaluate and govern CRM systems, portal servers, and development environments to optimize enterprise-wide IT service delivery.Analytical and written communications — produce executive-level reports, systems evaluations, and strategic recommendations with clarity and precision.
advanced
Organizational IT strategy — set multi-year technology direction and investment priorities aligned with enterprise business objectives at the executive level.Cross-enterprise stakeholder leadership — convene and lead senior leadership, board-level, and vendor partnerships to drive transformational technology initiatives.Portfolio governance frameworks — establish program management standards and project governance structures that guide IT delivery across the entire organization.High-performing IT workforce — design talent pipelines, succession plans, and professional development programs that build organizational capability at scale.Enterprise data governance — architect and champion data security, privacy, and disaster recovery policies that meet regulatory and strategic resilience requirements.Technology innovation culture — sponsor emerging technology research and organizational learning initiatives that position the enterprise as an industry leader.Systems evaluation at organizational scale — lead enterprise-wide assessments of IT infrastructure effectiveness, driving optimization decisions with measurable business impact.Executive-level decision making — apply advanced judgment and inductive reasoning to resolve unprecedented technology and organizational challenges with enterprise-wide consequences.Strategic vendor and partner ecosystem — negotiate and govern major technology contracts and alliances that shape the organization's long-term competitive positioning.Organizational change leadership — guide culture, process, and technology transformation efforts, developing other managers and ensuring sustained adoption across all business units.
Also known as
60 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Software Engineering DirectorIT Portfolio Manager (Information Technology Portfolio Manager)Product Support ManagerInternet and E-Business Project ManagerData Center ManagerInformation Systems Director (IS Director)Technical Solutions DirectorCybersecurity All-Source Collection ManagerCyber Workforce ManagerData Processing ManagerData Operations DirectorInformation Services ManagerSoftware Development DirectorProduct Solutions ManagerEnterprise Architecture ManagerConsulting Technical DirectorInformation Technology Account Manager (IT Account Manager)Computing Services DirectorTechnical Support Content ManagerComputer Operations ManagerProgramming and Software Development Project ManagerInternet Technology ManagerInformation Systems AdministratorManager, Computer OperationsKnowledge ManagerSystem Development ManagerApplication Development DirectorIT Infrastructure Director (Information Technology Infrastructure Director)Technical Services ManagerDevelopment ManagerInformation Support Project ManagerInformation Technology Manager (IT Manager)Information Security ManagerTechnical DirectorComputer Programming ManagerInformation Technology Systems Director (ITS Director)Information Technology Administrator (IT Administrator)Technology DirectorNetwork ManagerInformation Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor)