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I currently have the job title ‘Network Administrator’ in a four-person IT dept at a non-profit (I’ve been here longer than anyone else in the dept, but have managed to avoid being sucked into management role). That title is generally true, though much of my time is taken up with SQL reporting from our medical records software.

Now, the question: In August I will be semi-retiring (from 40 down to 20 hours), retaining the reporting portion of my current duties, but also serving as backup for the new Network Admin and any other member of the team that needs help with whatever IT project is going on. This is a new position, there is no existing job title. I have been tasked with coming up with a job title for it.

My first choice is ‘Elder Statesman’, but I don’t think that will fly. My next thought was ‘Information Technology General Support’, but not sure about that. Does anyone have any thoughts?

I want to avoid titles like ‘Data Analyst’ which might tempt upper echelons to move me out of IT.

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Network/IT specialist, either or

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How about “B Chain” or N+1?

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I would suggest Database Administrator/Network Support

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Data reporting and network administrator

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Totally get wanting to keep your footing in IT while dialing things back. Given your ongoing role with SQL reporting and your value as a technical backup across the board, a few titles come to mind that keep things clear without inviting scope creep:

  • IT Systems Advisor
  • Senior IT Specialist
  • Technology Operations Support
  • IT Support Analyst (Senior)
  • Technical Services Consultant

All of these imply depth, flexibility, and institutional knowledge without sounding like a manager or someone ready to be reassigned. “Senior” in this context signals experience, not authority, which helps avoid that management pull. If you’re feeling cheeky, you could lobby for Legacy Systems Liaison and see how far it goes.

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It’s been years, but when I got asked what my title should be as basically one man IT/development position I said ‘Chief Science Officer’.
Had biz cards for same on my desk next day. That was great.

For yours, in seriousness, sounds like Network admin/data reporting spec.

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@JohnFreeman

That’s exactly what CoPilot output for me (starting with “Given your role” and ending with “how far it goes”, though I didn’t post it as it wouldn’t by my answer.

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This was my thought exactly Database Administrator/Network Support!

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Then CIO…

Executive IT Consultant

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  • Senior Network & Data Analyst
  • Network & Data Analyst (Senior)
  • Senior Data & Network Analyst
  • Data & Network Analyst (Senior)

These denote your experience and main roles. It avoids things like ‘Lead’ which might infer potential additional responsibilities or line management duties. The order of Data and Network can be chosen depending on which you now see as your primary responsibility. Additionally, all IT professionals occasionally go outside their main remit, but I wouldn’t make your title generalist, as to me, it invites potential role creep, which may impact what you’re expected to fit into your 20 working hours. Locking it down to your bread and butter and assume anything else falls under the obligatory ‘any other duties to support the business’ clause that will no doubt be in your contract.

Alternatively, something like this might suffice if you’re not a fan of Analyst:

  • Senior Data Systems Administrator
  • Data Systems Administrator (Senior)

The network and additional support elements can be considered part of your remit, as you need to keep the data and information flowing within your environment. The title fits in the context of a small IT team. The SysAdmin connotation also keeps you squarely in IT territory.

Lastly, if the above too far removed from network/infra:

  • Senior Data & Information Systems Administrator
  • Data & Information Systems Administrator (Senior)

Hope this is of some use. Happy semi-retirement!

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If you’re going to support those in the IT department, I would go for IT Generalist.

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Or just “Consultant”
Says everything, and nothing ;p

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Simple, direct, to the point, PERFECT!!

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This reminds me of an article @Peter-Spiceworks posted a while back (in case there is anything useful in there): https://www.spiceworks.com/it-careers/it-job-titles/

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You could try one of mine:
“Systems and Networking Jedi Knight”

Yes, I really used it back in 2000 on my business cards. I wonder where those are now…? Some of the clients I supported back in the day included Starbucks, Steelcase, and Adobe.

“SQL Reporting Specialist” might be a good fit, which keeps you away from diving into the Network Admin work pile very often.

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My title was systems administrator at a resources related company even though I was doing the IT Manager role. This was because the main contractor had a requirement that anyone designated as manager had to do 10 “Take 5” safety reports each month and because I was working in an office most of the time it would be difficult for it not to devolve to a tick and flick exercise.

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I’d go with Data Wizard and IT Cavalry
but it might not fly,
but something along the lines of
Network and Data Systems SME
or
Knowledge Transfer Specialist might work

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Systems Analyst

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