What does a Systems Manager do?
Systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities at an organization and help determine its information technology goals. They analyze an organization’s computer needs and recommend possible upgrades for top executives to review. They plan and direct the installation and maintenance of computer hardware and software systems and ensure network and electronic documents are safe and secure at the organization. They assess the cost and benefits of new projects to justify projects’ funding to top executives and determine long and short-term department personnel needs.
Systems managers learn about the newest technology and best practices and look for ways to upgrade the organization’s systems, negotiating with vendors to get the highest level of service for the organization's technology. They plan and direct other IT professionals, including computer systems analysts or software developers. Systems managers need a bachelor's degree in a computer or an information science-related field, and some organizations require a graduate degree including an MBA.
- Define, plan and execute projects as defined in the scope.
- Write, evaluate, and negotiate various system and software procurements.
- Provide regular status updates to stakeholders and senior staff.
- Oversee service line personnel and labor policies, procedures and practices.
- Assist project teams in the implementation of other systems.
- Work with technical resources to design, develop, test and implement solutions.
- Mentor and coach new team members and junior level staff.
- Advise and direct the development of requests for proposals or requests for quotations.
- Strategize and develop new tools and views in order to support the fast-changing needs of the business.
- Participate in ETL and data modeling design planning sessions.
- Report team and system progress regularly to key stakeholders and the rest of the organization.
- Lead and administer the teams that partner with the external media agency to streamline reporting.
- Provide emergency or critical maintenance completed within approved time period.
- Lead teams so that marketing functions can leverage data across the marketing-technology stack efficiently and confidently.
- Recognize opportunities to improve process efficiencies and implement them.
- Provide input in designing end to end solution from a technical perspective.
- Responsible for managing the planning and implementation of new and existing technologies as they relate to the core platform.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in business, computer science, engineering or information systems, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with QUANTUM, LMS, WMS, SAP Treasury, and SQL software and systems.
- Experience in enterprise resource planning.
- A collaborator and problem solver with an eye on continuous improvement.
- Leadership skills and attention to detail.
- Prior experience as a consultant.
- Six Sigma training.
Systems Manager Salaries
Average Base Pay
Systems Manager Career Path
Learn how to become a Systems Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Systems Manager Insights
“There are a lot of technologies to learn and I see potential to grow my career here.”
Valley Health (Virginia and West Virginia)“Direct team good to work with”
Lindholmen Science Park“Its stress free and good”
Unicharm“Lack of personal development and career path”
Luzerne County Community College“Little chance for promotion if you are not an administrator.”
Hindustan Petroleum“Provide authority and independence to work.”
Government of South Australia“Good work and life balance.”
Brand Institute“Opportunities to learn and grow are limitless.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Systems Manager
- Technical Manager
- Technology Manager
- Systems Administrator
- Systems Engineer