An implementation manager helps an organization install new systems, networks, and processes. Discover more about the position, including common tasks and the skills you鈥檒l need to begin your career.
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When an organization wants to install new systems, networks, and processes, it often needs the help of an implementation team to ensure a successful transition. Within this team is an implementation manager who guides the team, acts as a client liaison, and ensures the project鈥檚 progress.听Some important things to know are:
An implementation manager specializes in deploying new systems, networks, and processes to an organization鈥檚 workforce.
An implementation manager is well-versed in technology and communicates the technology in a way that non-technical people and stakeholders can understand. You鈥檒l need a broad skill set that transcends tech and customer service to accomplish this.
Implementation managers blend technology and customer service expertise.
If you鈥檙e interested in a role that combines technology, project management, customer relations, and business analytics, this might be the career for you. Learn more about implementation managers and the skills, education, and experience you'll need, as well as the salary expectations, related careers, and how to start this career path.听
With the Project Management: The Basics for Success course offered by the University of Michigan you'll learn to understand the stages of the project cycle, monitor project activities and assess progress, communicate proficiently to report project status, and develop and strengthen high performance teams.
An implementation manager specializes in deploying new systems, networks, and processes to an organization鈥檚 workforce. In this position, your responsibilities often center on overseeing the implementation team and ensuring implementation goes smoothly. You鈥檒l also develop action and work plans, coordinate with various departments, and monitor and verify the accuracy of requisitions and information materials. Additionally, you may help ensure that employees using newly implemented technology receive the proper training to use them and lead and encourage the implementation team while following the organization's policies and regulations.
Implementation managers ensure quality service and client satisfaction at each system integration and implementation stage. In this position, you鈥檒l provide the support and expertise to keep the implementation process aligned with the organization鈥檚 objectives, budget, and timeframe. You鈥檒l also aid in troubleshooting any issues that arise during the process, serve as a bridge between various departments and stakeholders, and provide detailed reporting that the company can use to improve future endeavors.听
As an implementation manager, you鈥檒l perform various tasks, from coordinating teams to keeping records. In many cases, you鈥檒l find yourself leading the strategic product planning efforts and developing strategic roadmaps for implementing new technology. You鈥檒l also ensure this is all done within scope, budget, and deadline.听
Some of your other tasks might include:听
Coordinating with teams, like sales and customer service, to ensure a cohesive process听
Making recommendations based on trends and customer needs听
Communicating with clients and managing their expectations听
Conducting cost/benefit analysis听
Identifying risks and handling them proactively听
Monitoring the environment post-implementation to ensure it's running as projected
Keeping records of best practices for future projects听
Read more: How to Use a Product Roadmap
An implementation manager is well-versed in technology and communicates the technology in a way that non-technical people and stakeholders can understand. You鈥檒l need a broad skill set that transcends tech and customer service to accomplish this. Some of the top implementation manager technical skills include proficiency in Java, structured query language (SQL), database management systems, and budgeting and cost analysis tools.听
Because you鈥檒l also deal with clients and lead a team throughout the projects you鈥檙e on, you鈥檒l require customer service and managerial skills. Some key skills to bring to the table as an implementation manager include managing client expectations, verbal and written client communication, project management, leadership, and more.听
Like many roles, an implementation manager requires a range of workplace skills to complement these more procedural and technical skills. These skills include the ability to analyze and solve complex problems, organization, manage multiple tasks at once, and make quick decisions.
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Implementation managers also require technical and management skills, including:听
Microsoft Dynamics听
Microsoft Office听
Team building activities
Project communication plans
Salesforce
Java
According to Glassdoor, the average base annual salary for an implementation manager in the US is $83,461, but this figure may vary based on your location, experience, education, and industry []. The typical annual salary range is $64,000 to $108,000, with opportunities to earn more if your company offers bonuses and other forms of additional compensation [].听
The implementation manager role falls under the broader category of project management specialists. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that project management specialist jobs will grow by 6 percent between 2022 and 2032 []. That鈥檚 faster than average growth for all occupations in the US.听
Implementation managers blend technology and customer service expertise. Following a specific education path can help lead to success in this role.听
Employers seeking an implementation manager typically look for candidates with at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree. In fact, 71.1 percent of all implementation managers have a bachelor鈥檚 degree, and another 14.3 percent have a master鈥檚 degree, according to Zippia []. Here is a breakdown of the types of major implementations managers have []:
Business: 33.1 percent
Computer science: 7.5 percent
Finance: 5 percent
Although most professionals hold a bachelor's degree, it is possible to become an implementation manager with an associate degree or a high school diploma.
On top of your formal education, you can also aid your career with related certifications. Some examples include:听
Six Sigma Green Belt
Master Project Manager (MPM)
Certified Manager Certification (CM)
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
CompTIA Project+ Certification
Read more: 10 PMI Certifications to Level Up Your Project Management Career
Gaining robust foundational knowledge via formal education and practical experience can offer you an excellent start toward becoming an implementation manager, and entry-level roles can also help you hone the skills you鈥檒l need. To supplement your training on the job, you may also consider completing an internship, which can help you gain valuable hands-on experience.听
The experience in related fields you need to gain the required implementation manager qualifications can range from up to four years. Generally, you鈥檒l gain six to 12 months of on-the-job training once in your position.听
Before becoming an implementation manager, many people work as project managers or senior project managers. Other roles that can lead to becoming an implementation manager include:听
Consultant
Team leader
You can apply for jobs after working in one of these roles and gaining the necessary knowledge to successfully transition into an implementation manager. Working as an implementation manager for at least two years may adequately prepare you to move into other roles, though you may require additional education. The standard career moves after an implementation manager include:听
Implementation manager II
Implementation manager III
Senior implementation manager
Director of implementation
Senior director of implementation
Vice president of implementation
If you wish to stay within the implementation team but don't want to be an implementation manager, you can consider roles like implementation specialist, implementation project manager, or implementation consultant. You can even work your way into management as the director of implementation in some companies.听
You might also specialize in a particular type of implementation management. For example, a health care implementation manager might oversee technology implementation in medical settings, like telemedicine platforms or patient management software. As an infrastructure implementation manager, you'll oversee the implementation of IT systems, including networks and cloud services.听
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Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/implementations-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm.鈥 Accessed October 17, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm#tab-6.鈥 Accessed October 17, 2024.
Zippia. 鈥, https://www.zippia.com/implementation-manager-jobs/how-to-become-an-implementation-manager/.鈥 Accessed July 12, 2024.
Zippia. 鈥, https://www.zippia.com/implementation-manager-jobs/career-path/.鈥 Accessed October 17, 2024.
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