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How to Hire a IT Manager in the UK (2026)

Running the IT team and day-to-day operations. Hiring an IT Manager.
By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks
Charles leads Coburg Banks IT, placing technology professionals from helpdesk to CTO for businesses across the UK.
Mark's Linkedin Profile

An IT Manager keeps the technology running and the team performing - support, infrastructure, projects and suppliers. It's the operational backbone of your IT, so reliability and people skills matter most.

⚡ In short

A UK IT Manager typically earns £50k-£70k plus bonus. Expect a placement in 5-9 weeks. Coburg Banks recruits IT Managers with no fee until your hire starts.

£50k-£70k

Typical base salary

5-9 weeks

Time to hire

48 hrs

To first shortlist

12 wks

Replacement guarantee

What to look for in a IT Manager

1

Operational grip

They keep the day to day running smoothly. Ask how they've improved service or reduced downtime.

2

People management

They lead support and infrastructure staff. Look for someone who develops a team, not just fixes tickets.

3

Project delivery

Ask about a rollout or migration they ran end to end.

How to run the hire

1. Define the scope
Decide what the role covers - support, infrastructure, projects, security - and the team size.

2. Score for operations and people
Weight the ability to run a stable service and lead the team.

3. Source and screen
Approach candidates and screen for both technical grip and management.

4. Test with a scenario
Use a service or project scenario to hear how they prioritise and communicate.

5. Reference the team
Confirm they kept a team performing and a service reliable.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire an IT Manager?

Fees typically run 15-20% of first-year salary, capped and agreed upfront.

Nothing is due until your hire starts.

How long does it take to hire an IT Manager?

Usually 5-9 weeks.

The main variable is how specialist the environment is - a niche stack narrows the pool and adds a little time.

What does an IT Manager do?

An IT Manager runs the IT team and day-to-day operations - support, infrastructure, projects and suppliers - making sure systems are reliable and users are looked after.

They usually report to a Head of IT or IT Director.

What's the difference between an IT Manager and a Head of IT?

An IT Manager focuses on running the team and operations. A Head of IT carries more strategy and budget.

In smaller businesses one person does both, so we scope the real level with you.

What should I ask an IT Manager at interview?

Ask: How do you prioritise when everything's on fire?
Tell me about a project you delivered.
How do you develop your support team? and How do you handle a difficult supplier?

What sectors do you recruit IT Managers for?

A broad range - manufacturing, professional services, healthcare and technology among them.

Good IT operations skills travel well, so unless your environment is highly specialised we cast wide to reach stronger candidates.

External citations

Ready to hire your next IT Manager?

Tell us about your role and a specialist IT recruiter will call you. No fee until your hire starts.