woman sitting at a desk looking at a computer displaying a screen of code while a man seated next to her looks on

Computer and information systems managers

(NOC 20012)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$124,343
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
Management
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
8,850

Career Overview

Computer and information systems managers plan and oversee computer and information systems. They work for companies that design, develop and manage computer and telecommunications software, networks and information systems in both the private and public sector.

Job Titles

Application development director - information technology (IT)
Business systems manager
Cloud architect manager
Cloud engineering manager
Cloud operations manager
Cloud services manager
Cloud solutions architect manager
Communication systems design manager
Computer and related services manager
Computer application development manager
Computer applications manager
Computer department coordinator
Computer development division head
Computer facility manager
Computerized information systems manager
Computerized technical information manager
Computer legacy systems manager
Computer manager
Computer networks manager
Computer programs manager
Computer software design manager
Computer system operations manager
Computer systems development manager
Computer systems integration manager
Computer systems manager
Cybersecurity manager
Data analytics manager
Data centre manager
Data processing and systems analysis manager
Data processing director
Data processing manager
Data processing planning manager
Director of data science
Director of software engineering
Director of technology management
Electronic data processing (EDP) manager
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) manager
Help desk manager - information technology (IT)
Information systems development director
Information systems manager
Information systems operations director
Information technology (IT) development manager
Information technology (IT) director
Information technology (IT) implementation manager
Information technology (IT) Infrastructure engineering manager
Information technology (IT) integration manager
Information technology (IT) service delivery manager
Internet systems administrator
Management information system (MIS) manager
Network design manager
Software development manager
Software engineering manager
Software quality assurance director
Systems development manager
Systems implementation manager - computer systems
Technical delivery manager - information technology (IT)
Technical program manager - information technology (IT)
Test engineering manager - software

Duties

In general, computer and information systems managers:

  • Create and carry out plans for computer systems operations and development
  • Meet with clients, department heads and senior staff to work out the company’s computer and information systems needs, including cost
  • Explain why a company should start a computer and information systems project and help to get approval for the project
  • Build and manage teams to design, develop and manage computer and telecommunications software, networks and information systems
  • Ensure the security of the organization's network and electronic documents
  • Manage the budget of the project or department
  • Prepare and discuss contracts and services
  • Hire employees and oversee their training
  • Come up with ideas to design, develop and put information systems and data warehouses in place

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$124,343

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$96.63/hr
Median$59.62/hr
Low$36.06/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

10,375

% Employed Full Time

87%
Source: 2021 Census

People in this career usually work in an office and may work with or lead a team of people with varied backgrounds, experience and skills. Some team members may be in different offices, cities or even countries.

Computer and information systems managers should be able to manage teams virtually and hold meetings via conference call or video conferencing.

People in this job need to stay current with technology, understand how the system will be used and, depending on the project, understand government regulations.

Career Pathways

With experience, people in this position may move into senior leadership roles such as senior systems manager, information technology director or vice-president of technology.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Enterprising
Enterprising

Education, Training and Skills

A computer information systems manager must have several years of experience in systems, analysis, software engineering, network design or computer programming. In order to be successful, they also need several years of supervisory experience as well as business and management skills. They may need to have a background in business strategy, finances, human resources or risk management, and must know how to deal with information technology management issues.

People in this role typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, business administration, technology management, commerce or engineering.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Computer Information Systems/Science
  • Computing Science/Systems Related
  • Information Technology Management
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

78%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

75%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

75%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

72%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

72%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

72%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

68%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

68%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

68%
Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, while meeting the goals of the system.

65%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

10,375
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 55 0.5%
Kootenay 155 1.5%
Mainland/Southwest 7,990 77.0%
North Coast and Nechako 30 0.3%
Northeast 25 0.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 650 6.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,465 14.1%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

8,850
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 20 2.0%
Kootenay 110 1.1%
Mainland/Southwest 7,030 2.8%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 660 2.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,030 1.8%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services5,710
Information, Culture and Recreation620
Public Administration370
Retail Trade360
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate300
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

This job involves more than managing technical team members on a project. Computer information systems managers are the go-between for senior management, clients and the technical workers. People in this career must understand the technology and be able to see business problems and opportunities.

Resources