Director, IS Management

What You Do

As the Information Systems Manager you are responsible for planning, implementing and managing the information systems and computer resources for an entire organization.

Job stream: Informatics Management

Sample titles:

• Information Systems Manager
• Computer Systems Manager
• Data Processing Director
• Manager, Data Processing and Systems
• Data Centre/Warehouse Manager
• Information Technology (IT) Director
• Information Technology Manager (IT Manager)
• Systems Development Manager
• Director, MIS (Management of Information Systems)
• Director of Strategic Applications

Career Spotlight

Derik Belair, Director of Strategic Applications

Who You Do It For

• industrial companies,
• law firms,
• libraries,
• financial institutions,
• insurance companies,
• government agencies,
• data processing firms,
• scientific laboratories, and
• educational institutions.

How You Do It

Working in a large organization, your job as a Information Systems Manager involves:

• studying the organization’s computer and information system requirements,
• determining the needs of the user community,
• planning the computer and information resources to meet those needs,
• supervising the installation, use and repair of computer and information systems,
• monitoring and managing the information technology systems to ensure that they are effective and efficient, and
• acting as a liaison between upper management and organization’s computer staff (data processing, information systems, network services, etc.).

In addition, you may be required to:

• advise and train organizations on the uses of information systems,
• recommend improvements in hardware and software upgrades,
• oversee the organization’s communications network,
• manage the user services such as the Help Desk,
• ensure back up systems operate effectively, and
• establish and manage budgets for an organization’s information technology expenditures.

As an Information Systems Manager, you would also contribute to an organization’s policy-making regarding quality standards and strategic planning.

Challenges

Not only do you need to keep up to date on all aspects of information systems and be aware of cutting-edge technology to do your job properly.

As a Information Systems Manager you need to have strong business management skills and an understanding of how these impact on the delivery of informatics services.

As with other jobs in the software industry, dealing with people will be the most challenging aspect of your job. To be successful you have to listen well, think clearly and be able to articulate information to your users and management colleagues.

You will typically be a member of your employer’s management team, meaning that you will have the personnel and financial management challenges of anyone in a management position.

Skills

• gather and interpret relevant data and information,
• learn new skills and knowledge,
• use computer technology to solve a variety of complex problems,
• interview and relate to people,
• communicate clear and consistent written and verbal information in simple terminology,
• understand financial and business statements and plans,
• think analytically and problem solve,
• make effective decisions under pressure, and
• pay attention to detail and work effectively under pressure.

Working Conditions

Normally, directors of management information systems (MIS) work a 40-hour week in comfortable offices. However, owing to the nature of the job you may be required to work overtime on a regular basis.

Like other workers who spend their time in front of a computer terminal, directors of management information systems (MIS) are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort and hand and wrist problems.

What The Future Holds

The demand for directors of management information systems (MIS) is expected to remain stable in the next few years. The skills acquired in this profession allow an individual to move into other areas such as production manager, network or telecommunication manager, computer consultant and security consultant.

Skill Levels

Entry Level Information Systems Manager

Working under the supervision and providing support to more senior informatics staff, you could be required to do any of the following:

• lead and manage teams for diverse projects,
• oversee completion of architecture definition, and its translation into systems implementation,
• manage information technology projects, estimates and allocate resources,
• establish priorities, monitor service quality and project deliverables,
• negotiate project deliverables, requirements, deadlines and costs,
• develop and sustain productive relationships,
• develop and maintain complex computer-based systems,
• use best practices approach based on leading information technology,
• assign, plan, analyze, develop, implement new and existing applications,
• oversee diagnosis of problems and information systems solution delivery,
• prepare, present and coordinate presentation of project status reports, and
• supervise staff, plan and schedule assignment and deploy resources.

Full Working Information Systems Manager

At this level, you will be performing the job as Information Systems Manager without supervision and you may be responsible for the supervision of other staff on many projects and in carrying out their routine duties.

In addition you may be responsible for small projects or portions of medium-large projects and you may be required to:

• define strategies, draft original specifications and manage feasibility studies,
• coordinate high-level model development,
• take responsibility for corporate information technology solutions,
• actively determine and recommend policy and productivity tools,
• exploit corporate information technology opportunities,
• ensure quality information technology services are available, reliable and useable,
• deal with system failures, deficiencies and security breaches,
• oversee compliance with standards, procedures and methodologies, and
• recruit, select, motivate, train, appraise, deploy and regulate staff.

Intermediate Information Systems Manager

As the intermediate Information Systems Manager, you will be expected to supervise staff and coordinate work for medium size projects. You may also be required to:

• manage information technology activities, services and programs,
• take full responsibility for corporate information technology solutions,
• actively determine, develop and recommend information technology policy,
• provide day to day leadership,
• manage preparation of information technology objectives, plans and budgets,
• review and approve information technology contracts for equipment and consultants,
• ensure compliance to standards, procedures and methodologies, evaluate, integrate and introduce new information technology into the organization,
• liaise, consult and negotiate with internal and external staff, vendors etc.,
• supervise IT staff and oversee recruitment, training, etc., and
• take full responsibility for risk assessment.

Senior Information Systems Manager

As the senior Information Systems Manager, you will coordinate work for medium size and large projects and may supervise staff on an on-going basis. Your job could also require you do some of the following:

• manage and direct overall corporate objectives and budgets,
• advise board of directors on policy issues and alternatives,
• review and approve all major informatics contracts and projects,
• oversee, establish and lead developing policies, standards, etc.,
• lead corporate direction, integration of information systems technologies,
• manage and lead technical and professional staff,
• manage and direct personnel, finance and administration services,
• authorize and organize major information technology departments,
• negotiate major initiatives for the organization,
• build client relationships with information technology initiatives (partnering), and
• participate in business resumption planning for the organization.

Salary Range

$63,250 - $115,000

Education and Training

Junior Information Systems Manager

Education requirements vary depending on an employer’s needs. In general, a university degree or college diploma with 3-5 years experience in the IT industry. It helps to have course work in information systems, business, computer science, logic and organizational behaviour.

Full Working Information Systems Manager

This level requires 6-8 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university or college diploma.

Intermediate Information Systems Manager

This level requires 6-8 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university or college diploma.

Senior Information Systems Manager

This level requires 9 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience as well as a university or college diploma.