How to Be Technology Operations Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 18, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The success of a business is often dependent on the technology operations manager. This role is responsible for ensuring the organization's technology infrastructure runs smoothly and efficiently, which can be achieved by developing and implementing policies and procedures to maintain the highest levels of security and functionality. By doing so, the technology operations manager can reduce the risk of data breaches and system downtime, as well as improve customer satisfaction through improved service delivery. In turn, this can lead to increased revenue, higher customer retention rates, and a stronger competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become a technology operations manager, you will need to earn at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field.
Develop Technical Skills. Developing technical skills is vital for a technology operations manager. You should have knowledge of hardware and software systems, as well as computer networks and databases.
Gain Experience. You should gain at least two years of experience in technology operations or a related field to become a technology operations manager.
Obtain Certifications. Obtaining certifications in various areas of technology can help you qualify for a position as a technology operations manager. Examples of certifications include Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) and CompTIA A+.
Pursue Advanced Training. Pursuing advanced training in information technology and related fields can also help you become a technology operations manager.
Network. You should network with other professionals in the field to learn more about job opportunities. You should also join professional organizations, such as the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP).

The success of any technology operations manager is highly dependent on their ability to implement an ideal and efficient system of operations. Proper planning, organizational skills, and communication are essential to ensure that all systems are running effectively. When a manager takes the time to develop a well-structured plan and communicate it to their team, they create an environment where everyone understands their roles and the overall mission.

Furthermore, when the team is properly organized and has the right tools and resources, the manager can ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner and with optimal efficiency. With proper planning, organization, and communication, a technology operations manager can ensure that their team is working efficiently and effectively, which in turn leads to higher levels of success for the organization.

You may want to check Technology Consultant, Technology Engineer, and Technology Solutions Architect for alternative.

Job Description

Plan, develop, and implement IT operations strategies, architectures, and processes to achieve organizational objectives.
Establish, monitor, and maintain IT operations and service standards.
Manage IT operations teams and resources to ensure timely delivery of projects and services.
Manage and coordinate IT operations budgeting and forecasting activities.
Develop and implement IT operations policies and procedures.
Oversee IT service delivery, security, and performance.
Develop and maintain relationships with vendors, contractors, and other partners to ensure timely delivery of services.
Monitor industry trends, technology developments, and competitors practices to identify opportunities for improvement.
Identify, diagnose, and resolve system problems in a timely manner.
Implement and manage changes to IT operations processes and systems.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to IT operations.
Develop reports to track progress on IT operations initiatives.
Provide technical leadership to ensure the successful implementation of IT solutions.
Train staff on new IT operations processes and technologies.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Technical knowledge and understanding of current software and hardware technologies.
Ability to install, configure, and maintain software and hardware systems.
Knowledge of network protocols and system architecture.
Good customer service and communication skills.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems.
Understanding of IT security principles and practices.
Familiarity with project management principles and techniques.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of budgeting and financial principles.
Attention to detail and accuracy.

The ability to effectively manage technology operations is essential for any organization that relies on technology. Being a Technology Operations Manager requires a unique set of skills and knowledge in order to properly manage the technical operations of an organization. These skills include the ability to plan, organize, direct, and control the activities of the organization related to technology operations.

In addition, they must be able to effectively communicate with other departments and personnel to ensure that technical operations are running smoothly. Furthermore, they must have a good understanding of the hardware and software used in the organization, as well as an understanding of the latest trends in technology. Finally, they must be able to troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise during the course of technology operations.

Without these skills, an organization will not be able to effectively utilize technology in order to increase efficiency and productivity.

Technology Officer, Technology Integration Specialist, and Technology Product Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in technology operations management?
How do you stay organized and ensure deadlines are met?
How do you handle difficult situations when working with staff and clients?
What strategies have you used to ensure high availability of your IT systems?
How do you plan for and manage system changes in a production environment?
What is your experience with system automation and scripting?
How have you ensured compliance with industry regulations such as HIPAA or PCI?
Describe your experience with budgeting and cost control in a technology operations role?
How would you evaluate the performance of an IT operations team?
How have you used metrics and reporting to identify areas of improvement in your technology operations environment?

Common Tools in Industry

ServiceNow. A cloud-based IT service management platform (eg: incident and problem management).
Slack. A cloud-based collaboration platform for teams (eg: scheduling meetings, sharing files).
JIRA. An issue tracking and project management software (eg: tracking tasks, project timelines).
Azure DevOps. A suite of development and DevOps tools (eg: source control, automated builds and deployments).
Datadog. A cloud-based monitoring and analytics tool (eg: real-time performance monitoring).
Ansible. An IT automation platform (eg: automating configuration management tasks).
Splunk. A data analysis and monitoring platform (eg: collecting and analyzing log data).
Terraform. An infrastructure as code tool (eg: provisioning cloud resources).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM)
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
Society for Information Management (SIM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
Service Management Forum (SMF)
Open Group
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

We also have Technology Administrator, Technology Customer Service Representative, and Technology Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Network Infrastructure. The physical components of a computer network, such as routers, switches, and cables, used to connect computers and other devices together.
Server Management. The process of setting up, maintaining, and troubleshooting servers, including installation of server software and hardware configuration.
Cloud Computing. The delivery of computing services over the internet. Cloud computing services provide access to applications, storage, and other resources to users over the web.
Storage Solutions. Systems and technologies used to store data, such as hard drives, flash drives, and cloud storage.
Data Center Management. The process of managing a data center, including monitoring performance, security, and power usage.
System Security. The practice of protecting computer systems from malicious attacks and unauthorized access.
Disaster Recovery Planning. The process of creating a plan to restore business operations in the event of a disaster.
Virtualization. The process of running multiple operating systems or applications on a single physical machine by using virtualization software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical job description for a Technology Operations Manager?

A Technology Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization's information technology systems. This includes overseeing the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of hardware and software systems, managing IT staff and resources, and ensuring that IT policies and procedures are followed.

What types of qualifications are required to become a Technology Operations Manager?

Generally, a Technology Operations Manager should have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Additionally, knowledge of different operating systems, hardware, software, and network infrastructure is typically required, as well as experience with project management and IT support.

What duties does a Technology Operations Manager perform on a daily basis?

The primary duties of a Technology Operations Manager involve managing and maintaining information technology systems. This includes overseeing system installation and configuration, monitoring systems performance, troubleshooting technical issues, managing IT staff, and ensuring that IT policies and procedures are being followed.

What are the most important skills for a Technology Operations Manager to possess?

Technology Operations Managers should have strong technical skills as well as excellent problem-solving abilities. Additionally, they should be able to work well with others, have excellent communication and organizational skills, and be able to stay up to date with the latest technologies.

What is the average salary for a Technology Operations Manager?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Technology Operations Manager is $86,611 per year in the United States. Salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.