Occupation Vitals

A Business Development Manager identifies and develops business opportunities and ensures client satisfaction.

Business Development Managers can come from varied backgrounds although increasingly organisations prefer candidates with a bachelor degree in Business Administration/Computer Studies or equivalent with an MBA (specialisation in Marketing).

A minimum of 8-10 years of proven track record in the sales and marketing function of a large organisation is expected. Regional experience will be highly valued. Alternately, people with extensive product experience with a few years of pre-sales experience will also be valued.

The career progression for Business Development Managers could be along the sales and marketing stream or within general management.

The alternate career paths for a Business Development Manger will be:

Business Development Manager ---> Marketing Director ---> Vice President Marketing
Business Development Manager ---> Business Head

Personal Characteristics and Core Competencies

Business Development Managers are expected to have a thorough understanding of the IT service or produce that they are attempting to sell.

• Outstanding selling skills
• Superior presentation and excellent oral and written communication skills
• High commercial acumen and confidence in dealing with senior management and decision makers
• Excellent leadership skills and good team playing abilities
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Knowledge of one or more languages
• Networking skills to build an extensive network of contact

Earnings

Business Development Managers can expect to earn salaries in the range of S$4,000 to S$6,500 depending on their experience. Typically, compensation packages for Business Development Managers are structured with a variable component which will depend on the extent of new business generated.

Occupation Vitals

A Business Analyst will assist in determining information needs and business requirements in order to develop system specifications which will lead to the development of optimal solutions.

Qualifications, training and advancements

A Business Analyst typically requires a diploma or degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Management of Information Systems or equivalent. Entry standards are high, and one is unlikely to enter this job immediately upon graduation. Experience in the development, implementation and support of business systems in a large organisation is required.

The typical career path of a Business Analyst will be:

Business Analyst ---> Senior Business Analyst ---> Team Lead ---> Project Manager ---> Programme Manager

Personal Characteristics and Core Competencies

A Business Analyst should have a sound understanding of one or more analysis and design methodologies to systematically carry out the business analysis.

• Working knowledge of programming and systems analysis
• Domain or business knowledge of the industry
• Ability to conceptualise and think creatively
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good project management skills
• Good communication and presentation skills
• An interest in the latest technological developments in the industry

Earnings

Business Analysts can expect to earn salaries in the range of S$4,500 to S$6,000 a month. The salaries will vary depending on the size of the organisation and scope of work.

Occupation Vitals

As a Cloud Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for the daily operations and maintenance of the cloud operations environment. You will be involved in the design of cloud infrastructure architecture and to ensure that it is aligned with the organisation’s business goals. You will take a proactive role in assessing, planning and developing cloud infrastructure based on evolving business needs and technology capabilities when you progress to be a Cloud Architect.

Qualifications, training and advancements

A Cloud Operations Engineer typically requires a Diploma/Degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent.

The typical career paths of a Cloud Operations Engineer are:

Cloud Operations Engineer ---> Senior Cloud Engineer ---> Cloud Operations Manager ---> Cloud Director

Cloud Operations Engineer ---> Cloud Service/Infrastructure/Software Engineer ---> Cloud Service/Infrastructure/Software Manager ---> Cloud Architect

Personal Characteristics and Core Competencies

• Excellent technical know-how
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in teams
• An eye for detail
• An interest in the latest technological developments

Earnings

Cloud Engineers can expect to earn salaries in the range between S$5,000 to S$7,000. Experienced Engineers would be able to command a premium.

Occupational Vitals

A Software Engineer may lead a team of application programmes, designing details of sub-system specifications and produce component specifications. As a Software Engineer, you will work with programmers to ensure whatever is developed confirms to specifications. You will be responsible for testing subsystems developed by programmers and may be involved in hands-on programme yourself.

Qualifications, training and advancement

A Software Engineer typically requires a diploma or degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Management of Information Systems or equivalent. They would need a minimum of 2-4 years of experience in software development or computer programming.

Software Engineers need to keep themselves updated with the latest methodologies and technologies available in the market. This is often done through attending in-house training programs or by attending courses offered by IT institutes or vendors.

A sample set of career paths for a Software Engineer are:

Software Engineer ---> Systems Analyst ---> Project Manager ---> IT Manager
Software Engineer ---> Systems Analyst ---> Project Manager ---> Programme Manager
Software Engineer ---> Project Lead ---> Project Manager ---> Programme Manager

Personal Characteristics and Core Competencies

A Software Engineer should have good working knowledge of programming languages such as VC++, VB, XML, ASP etc.

A software Engineer should also possess the following:

• Strong analytical skills and a logical approach to problem solving
• Excellent technical know-how
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• Excellent team playing abilities
• Attention to detail
• Ability to perform well under pressure
• Awareness of current issues and technologies impacting the industry.

Earnings

The gross monthly salary of a Software Engineer ranges from S$3,500 to S$5,000.

Occupational Vitals

As a Project Manager, you will manage, define and implement information technology projects. You will manage resources, quality and progress of these projects to ensure on time, effective project outcomes.

Qualifications, training and advancements

Project Managers may come from different backgrounds but employers increasingly expect IT Project Managers to have a background in IT; either a strong educational qualification or several years of experience in the development, implementation and support of information technology projects in a range of organisations. A degree or diploma in Computer Science, Information Technology or Management of Information Systems is acceptable. An MBA qualification or certification in Project Management such as Certificate in IT Project Management (CITPM) or equivalent will be highly valued.

Project Managers need to hone their skills periodically to keep abreast of the latest trends in their field. Certification courses, seminars and workshops are the normal avenues for Project Managers to keep up-to-date with the fast paced changes in the Information Technology Sector.

The typical career paths of a Project Manager are:

Project Manager ---> Programme Manager ---> programme Director ---> Chief Information Officer
Project Manager ---> IT Manger ---> IT Director ---> Chief Information Officer
Project Manager ---> IT Outsourcing Manager ---> IT Director ---> Chief Information Officer

Personal Characteristics and Core Competencies

Project Managers need to have an overall understanding of technical aspects of the project with the ability to step into roles of team members if required.

Project Managers should also possess:

• Excellent project management skills
• Good team building and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead by example and a hands-on approach to problem solving
• Sound judgement and analytical skills
• Excellent scheduling, costing and budgeting skills
• Excellent communication skills ·Good time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Up-to-date knowledge of emerging industry practices

Earnings

Project Managers can expect to earn salaries in the range of S$6,000 to S$8,500 depending on the years of experience and the nature of projects managed. Compensation packages for Project Managers often have a fixed and a variable component which will depend on performance.

Occupational Vitals

As a System Tester, you will plan for and undertake testing for new systems and system upgrades.

Qualifications, training and advancements

A System Tester typically requires a diploma or degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Management of Information Systems or equivalent. A certification course in one of the test methodologies will be useful.

A System Tester is expected to have at least 3-5 years of experience in programming or systems testing as well as some understanding of business processes.

The typical career paths of a System Tester are:

System Tester ---> Business Analyst ---> Business Consultant ---> Information Architect
System Tester ---> Systems Analyst ---> Project Management ---> IT Manager
System Tester ---> Test Manger ---> IT Manger ---> Chief Technology Officer

Personal Characteristics and Core Competencies

System Testers should possess the following:

• Good logical, analytical and problem solving skills
• A systematic and organised approach to testing
• Sound understanding of the latest test methodologies and testing tools
• Appreciation of the software development cycle/system implementation cycle
• Familiarity with operating systems such as Unix, NT and Windows
• Knowledge of database concepts and experience writing SQL scripts
• Good communication skills

Earnings

System Testers can expect to earn salaries in the range of S$3,500 to S$6,000 depending on their experience and knowledge of the latest testing tools.