IT Operations Manager → Head of IT Operations

A realistic transition from IT Operations Manager to Head of IT Operations: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 70%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium6 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 70%

Transition from IT Operations Manager to Head of IT Operations.

Transferable skills

  • Operations
  • Budget
  • ITIL
  • Risk
  • Stakeholder management

Skills to learn

  • Executive leadership
  • Sourcing

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your IT Operations Manager experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Operations
    • Budget
    • ITIL
    • Risk

    Map transferable skills — Operations, Budget, ITIL — against what a Head of IT Operations needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Head of IT Operations

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Strategy

    Raise Strategy to the level a Head of IT Operations relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Head of IT Operations role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Executive leadership

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Executive leadership.

  4. 4. Master advanced Head of IT Operations skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Sourcing

    Handle the advanced topics: Sourcing.

  5. 5. Practise Head of IT Operations work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Head of IT Operations tasks at work.

  6. 6. Get certified and position yourself as a Head of IT Operations

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    ITIL 4 Strategic LeaderTOGAFPMP

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Head of IT Operations, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes