What Does an Information Technology Manager Do?

If you're exploring careers in technology and leadership, a role as an information technology manager may be worth considering. Information technology managers oversee an organization's technology systems, teams and strategies. They may help maintain technology infrastructure, support cybersecurity efforts, manage IT projects and align technology initiatives with business goals. Understanding what this role involves may help clarify whether it aligns with your interests and the direction you'd like to take your career.¹

Rasmussen University's online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management may help students develop the technical, analytical, and leadership skills that may be applicable to roles in IT management across a wide range of industries and settings.²

The IT Manager Role

An IT manager may occupy a connecting role between those doing technical work and those making organizational decisions, helping to translate technology considerations into business context and working to keep the two aligned.³

Those in IT management may take responsibility for how technology activities are organized and carried out across the organization. This may involve assessing where technology is falling short, identifying opportunities for improvement, and helping the team work together effectively toward shared goals.³

According to IBM^®, a core part of the IT manager role may involve keeping an organization's systems running reliably and making them available to those who depend on them. This may include responsibilities across areas such as system and network security, budget oversight, regulatory monitoring, technology implementation, and end-user support.¹

What Do IT Managers Typically Do?

The responsibilities of an IT manager may involve both the technical and strategic sides of an organization's operations. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, IT management may involve a range of practical functions, including:⁴

• Supporting employees with technology questions, onboarding them to new tools, and working to address issues when systems or software are not functioning as expected
• Monitoring the organization's systems for potential threats, managing who may have access to sensitive data, and working to maintain the security and continuity of operations
• Keeping the organization's technology infrastructure running effectively, overseeing hardware and software performance, and managing third-party technology relationships
• Helping organizational leaders understand what technology investments may be needed to support growth and working to keep technology decisions aligned with broader business direction

IT managers may also contribute to how an organization governs its use of technology, including helping to establish internal guidelines and processes that may support compliance with applicable regulations and protect the reliability of information systems.³

Those in this field may need to keep pace with how technology continues to evolve, not only to maintain current systems but to anticipate where the organization may need to adapt. The role may draw on both deep technical understanding and the ability to think strategically about how technology investments may serve the organization over time.³

How Do IT Managers Work With Other Parts of the Organization?

IT managers may regularly engage with teams and leaders across the organization to understand what technology challenges they are facing and what tools or systems may help address them. This may involve putting solutions in place that range from connecting disparate systems to strengthening how the organization handles security.³

IBM notes that many organizations are placing technology at the center of their strategies, and IT departments may increasingly be involved in broader organizational decision-making. Those in IT management roles may contribute to conversations about digital transformation, resource allocation, and how technology may be used to address business challenges and support organizational goals.¹

What Skills May IT Managers Typically Need?

Because IT managers often balance technical responsibilities with leadership and business objectives, they may draw on a combination of technical and interpersonal skills. Rasmussen University's IT Management program identifies the following skill areas as relevant to those in this field:²

IT Business Solutions
May develop business functions and communication skills applicable to work in a range of industries as a contributing member of the IT team.

Set Up and Maintain Devices
May develop the ability to set up networks, troubleshoot issues, and address technology challenges across a range of software and hardware platforms, from desktops to mobile devices.

Client-Centered Problem Solving
May build communication skills and critical thinking applicable to answering questions, supporting strategic planning, and providing technical support for clients in person, via telephone, or virtually.

Systems Support and Administration
May develop expertise in systems support services and administration for web and database applications, network optimization, data management, and systems performance monitoring.

Where Do IT Managers Typically Work?

IT management may apply across a broad range of industries and organizational settings. Because nearly every organization relies on technology to support its operations, IT managers may work in a wide variety of environments across both public and private sectors.³

Rasmussen University's IT Management program is designed to help students develop skills that may be applicable to a wide range of environments. Examples of roles some graduates may explore include information technology manager, network analyst, and network administrator.²

Exploring a Career in IT Management

IT management may be described as a field in which technical knowledge and leadership may work together, where those who understand both how systems function and how organizations operate may contribute in a variety of settings. For those drawn to problem-solving, strategic thinking, and working at the intersection of technology and business, this type of role may be worth exploring further.¹,³

Rasmussen University's online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management is designed to help students build practical IT skills that may be applicable to management and leadership roles across a range of industries. If you're curious about what it may take to pursue this type of career, exploring the program's curriculum and outcomes may be a helpful next step.²

Earning a degree does not guarantee employment or specific job outcomes. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

¹IBM^®, What is IT management?, at https://www.ibm.com/topics/it-management (accessed May 27, 2026).
²Rasmussen University, Information Technology Management Bachelor's Degree, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/information-technology-management/ (accessed May 27, 2026).
³Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Information Technology Manager (IT Manager), at https://careers.acbsp.org/career/information-technology-manager-it-manager (accessed May 27, 2026).
⁴U.S. Chamber of Commerce, What Is IT Management?, at https://www.uschamber.com/co/run/technology/what-is-it-management (accessed May 27, 2026).

IBM^® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, New Orchard Road, Armonk, New York 10504.