The title “traffic manager” encompasses a wide range of occupations, from media to system administration. Whether it’s the movement of vehicle traffic, the assignment of jobs in an advertising agency, or another type of workflow, all of these jobs, on the whole, require the management of workflow. The requirements for employment vary by job and industry, but they may include a college diploma and relevant experience, though some employers accept candidates for on-the-job training.
A traffic manager oversees the flow of train, car, boat, bus, ship, and other vehicle traffic in the public works, shipping, and related fields. This person is usually in charge of traffic at an airport, city, or port, and may also supervise other employees. The traffic manager considers necessary infrastructure improvement and maintenance, such as filling potholes, in addition to monitoring traffic and anticipating traffic needs.
The traffic manager oversees the workflow in places like advertising agencies and television stations to ensure that everyone is working efficiently and on the right projects. This might entail determining a release schedule and properly scheduling employees at an ad agency. The traffic manager for television production considers production needs, advertising placement, and other factors that may affect the organizational workflow. This person collaborates with the heads of various departments to ensure that their work is coordinated and that they remain operational.
In addition to traffic management, traffic managers work in the fields of computer science and system administration. Although there are automated programs for controlling and assigning network traffic, a human supervisor is sometimes required. This person can reroute traffic to address issues such as compromised servers, a sudden flood of traffic, or a traffic slowdown at another facility. In addition to responding to crises, the traffic manager can also plan ahead for events that may cause traffic congestion, such as the launch of a new product.
Depending on the industry, adequate training for a career as a traffic manager may be required. A candidate for system administration, for example, must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, and additional professional certifications may be advantageous. A traffic manager at a television station or advertising agency, on the other hand, may pick up the skills on the job, beginning as an administrative assistant who assists a supervisor. Many of these fields necessitate excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to look at a network of data holistically without becoming distracted by minor details.