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Telecommunications manager

Also called ICT manager, telecom manager, telecoms manager

Telecommunications managers coordinate telecommunications staff activities for installing, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining telecommunications equipment and infrastructure. They oversee the research, evaluation and implementation of new technologies and ensure a safe working environment for the employees. They supervise the inventory of supplies as well as user and customer assistance actions.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects57 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Production and specialized services managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,000 (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Production and specialized services managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree6 in 10 have a degree.Production and specialized services managersWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.ICT service managers · ILO

What you'd do

ICT service managers · ILO
  • Consulting with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements and specifying technology to meet those needs
  • Formulating and directing information and communication technology (ICT) strategies, policies and plans
  • Directing the selection and installation of ICT resources and the provision of user training
  • Directing ICT operations, analysing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines
  • Overseeing the security of ICT systems
  • Assigning, reviewing, managing and leading the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers
  • Evaluating the organization's technology use and needs and recommending improvements such as hardware and software upgrades
  • Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
  • Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
  • Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff
  • Representing the enterprise or organization at ICT related conventions, seminars and conferences
Coordinate technological activitiesImplement ICT risk managementUse ICT ticketing systemExecute ICT auditsManage budgets+ 3 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Telecommunications Engineering Specialists"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as production and specialized services managers in the EU
3.46m3.53m4.8m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,045,000 new jobs 1,100,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Production and specialized services managers57
All jobs29
Right now
7 of 27 countries report a shortage of ICT service managers, 4 a surplus.
ICT service managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in electronics and automation is the usual route.

Highest qualification of production and specialized services managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 63%Vocational 22%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 7%
Fields that teach it
Electronics and automation · Database and network design and administration
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.44 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 11 tasks
Evaluating the organization's technology use and needs and recommending improvements such as hardware and software upgrades0.56
Overseeing the security of ICT systems0.51
Directing ICT operations, analysing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines0.51
Directing the selection and installation of ICT resources and the provision of user training0.47
Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures0.44
Formulating and directing information and communication technology (ICT) strategies, policies and plans0.44
Consulting with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements and specifying technology to meet those needs0.43
Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources0.43
Representing the enterprise or organization at ICT related conventions, seminars and conferences0.40
Assigning, reviewing, managing and leading the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers0.35
Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff0.31

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for ICT service managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).