Top Five IT Manager Skills To Look For When Hiring

Looking for the perfect IT manager to run the ship? Given that IT manager skills draw from both the IT and business worlds, you’ll want to consider both technical know-how and strategic thinking in your review. Here is a short list of the skills you’ll want to assess with prospective candidates or outsourced solutions:

1. ANALYTICS KNOWLEDGE

Does analytics play a larger role in your business operations? You may want to consider an IT manager who can create and understand analytics dashboards and data. They are increasingly in demand.

2. BROAD EXPERTISE

Look for an IT manager with a broad understanding of various business verticals like HR and finance, as well as specialties like enterprise architecture. If you don’t have a specialist on board, you’ll want to have someone who has enough general knowledge to hire for the skills needed in the department or to fill in on smaller projects.

3. CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Leading your company through change takes a strategic mindset. So your IT manager will need both the technical chops and the business acumen to navigate your business through changes and help it achieve its organizational goals through strategic vision.

4. RISK MANAGEMENT

What is the risk and what is the value of moving forward? That’s always an important question to ask before any project or service. You’ll want your IT manager to actively communicate and mitigate risks, helping you make the case for support and funding.

5. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

Your IT manager should work to banish the loner tech guy cliché and build deeper relationships — forging alliances with clients, vendors and people in other departments. But to do that, they’ll need to listen carefully, communicate effectively and work to find solutions through technology.

Need some specialized support for your IT department? UDT has these IT manager skills at the ready through our IT Managed Services division.

Just give us a call at 1-800-882-9919, or visit our Managed Services solutions page to learn more

Accomplish More With UDT

Get your custom solution in cybersecurity, lifecycle management, digital transformation and managed IT services. Connect with our team today.

More to explore

Crafting a Futureproof 1:1 Device Strategy for School Districts

In the evolving landscape of Education Technology, crafting a futureproof 1:1 device strategy is crucial. This strategy should link every student, teacher, and administrator experience with specific device specifications. The integration of educational apps into the curriculum can significantly enhance the learning environment. These apps, tailored to the needs of students, can provide interactive content, fostering a dynamic learning experience.

Optimizing Your K12 Tech Investments: Funding 1:1 Device Programs

This blog will guide school districts grappling with the financial and resource demands of implementing a successful 1:1 device program amid ongoing challenges of budget constraints and competing priorities. Our guided workbook, created in partnership with Intel, provides further support with personalized roadmap on “Pathways to Innovation: Building a Sustainable Digital Learning Environment”.

K12 Cybersecurity: How to Secure 1:1 Devices in Your School District

This blog post delves into the importance of security, cybersecurity, and data privacy in school districts implementing 1:1 device initiatives. It offers basic steps for evaluating, planning, and executing a security strategy. Our guided workbook, created in partnership with Intel, provides a personalized roadmap on “Pathways to Innovation: Building a Sustainable Digital Learning Environment”.

Lost & Stolen Devices are a Serious Data Security Threat—Here’s Why

Since the pandemic, remote and hybrid work has become the norm. While mobile devices and remote workstations have empowered great flexibility, it has also led to an increase in data security problems due to lost, misplaced, or stolen devices. Find out how remote and hybrid setups are contributing to this problem and how to protect yourself and your organization.

Ransomware Gangs Adding Pressure with ‘Swatting’ Attacks—Here’s What You Need to Know

Ransomware gangs are implementing new extortion tactics to encourage victims to pay up. Swatting is becoming an increasingly popular tactic. It involves calling law enforcement to falsely report a serious, in-progress crime triggering an extreme response such as an armed raid from the SWAT team. Explore how cybercriminals are using this tactic and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you.

Smishing Attacks are on the Rise—Here’s How To Keep Your Data Safe

Smishing attacks are on the rise, posing a significant threat to data security. Originating from a blend of SMS and Phishing, these attacks have seen a drastic increase since 2020. The widespread use of smishing attacks has persisted, with a lack of awareness being a major issue. Many view these as simple spam messages, unaware of the danger they pose. This blog aims to raise awareness about smishing and provide actionable insights to protect yourself and your organization.