Become A Chief Information Officer

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Working As A Chief Information Officer

Interacting With Computers
Getting Information
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Thinking Creatively
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Deal with People
Mostly Sitting
Make Decisions
$166,957
Average Salary

What Does A Chief Information Officer Do

A Chief Information Officer supervises the use of information technology (IT) in a company. They supervise internet and computer operations as well as identify user needs and resolve problems.

How To Become A Chief Information Officer

Typically, a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science, plus related work experience, is required. Many computer and information systems managers also have a graduate degree.

Education

Computer and information systems managers normally must have a bachelor’s degree in a computer- or information science–related field. Such a degree usually takes 4 years to complete and includes courses in computer programming, software development, and mathematics. Management information systems (MIS) programs usually include business classes as well as computer-related ones.

Many organizations require their computer and information systems managers to have a graduate degree as well. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is common and takes 2 years beyond the undergraduate level to complete. Many people pursuing an MBA take classes while working, an option that can increase the time required to complete that degree.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Most jobs for computer and information systems managers require several years of experience in a related information technology (IT) job. Lower level management positions may require only a few years of experience. Directors are more likely to need 5 to 10 years of related work experience. A chief technology officer (CTO), who oversees the technology plan for a large organization, may need more than 15 years of experience in the IT field before being considered for a job.

The number of years of experience required varies with the organization. Generally, smaller or newer companies do not require as much experience as larger or more established ones.

Computer systems are used throughout the economy, and IT employees may gain experience in a variety of industries. However, an applicant’s work experience should be in the same industry they are applying to work in. For example, an IT security manager should have previously worked in information security. A hospital IT director should have experience in the healthcare field.

Advancement

Most computer and information systems managers start out as lower level managers and advance to higher positions within the IT department. IT directors or project managers can advance to become CTOs. A CTO or other manager who is especially business minded can advance to become a chief information officer (CIO), the person in charge of all IT-related decisions in an organization. CIOs can advance to become top executives in an organization.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. IT managers must be able to analyze problems and consider and select the best ways to solve them.

Business skills. IT managers must develop and implement strategic plans to reach the goals of their organizations.

Communication skills. IT managers must be able to explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates.

Decisionmaking skills. Some IT managers must make important decisions about how to allocate resources in order to reach their organizations’ goals.

Leadership skills. IT managers must be able to lead and motivate IT teams or departments so that workers are efficient and effective.

Organizational skills. Some IT managers must coordinate the work of several different IT departments to make the organization run efficiently.

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Chief Information Officer jobs

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Chief Information Officer Career Paths

Chief Information Officer

Vice President, Business Development

Chief Technology Officer

11 Yearsyrs

Director Of Enterprise Architecture

14 Yearsyrs

Practice Manager

Director Of Information

10 Yearsyrs

Principal Consultant

Director Of Information Technology Services

12 Yearsyrs

Business Developer

Director Of Sales & Business Development

13 Yearsyrs

Director Of Project Management

Director Of Software Development

12 Yearsyrs

Director Of Project Management

Director, Applications

13 Yearsyrs

Adjunct Professor

Information Technology Director

10 Yearsyrs

President & Chief Technology Officer

13 Yearsyrs

Senior Project Manager

Product Management Director

12 Yearsyrs

Business Developer

Senior Director Of Business Development

13 Yearsyrs

Director Of Enterprise Architecture

Senior Director Of Information & Technology

13 Yearsyrs

Vice President, Business Development

Senior Vice President, Sales

14 Yearsyrs

Managing Director

Vice President Of Information Technology

12 Yearsyrs

Managing Director

Vice President Product Development

12 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Vice President Information Systems 5.5 years
Information Systems Director 5.1 years
Director Of Information Services 4.7 years
Vice President Of Information Technology 4.7 years
Director Of Information 4.6 years
Senior Information Technology Manager 4.5 years
President & Chief Technology Officer 4.4 years
Information Technology Applications Developer 4.3 years
Senior Director Of Information & Technology 4.3 years
Corporate Director Of Information Technology 4.2 years
Assistant Director Of Information Technology 4.1 years
Information Systems Project Manager 4.1 years
Senior Information Technology Architect 4.0 years
Chief Information Officer 4.0 years
Vice President, Technology 4.0 years
Senior Manager-Systems 4.0 years
Manager Information Technology Applications 3.9 years
Director Of Business Systems 3.8 years
Information Technology Development Manager 3.7 years
Director, Applications 3.7 years
Application Manager 3.7 years
Information Officer 3.7 years
Chief Technology Officer 3.7 years
Information Technology Officer 3.4 years
Executive Director, Information Technology 3.3 years
Director Of Enterprise Architecture 3.0 years
Deputy Chief Information Officer 2.9 years

Top Careers Before Chief Information Officer

Director Of Information 12.7%
Vice President 10.2%
Vice President Of Information Technology 7.4%
Project Manager 7.2%
Information Technology Manager 6.5%
Director 6.3%
Chief Technology Officer 5.4%
Consultant 5.1%
Senior Manager 4.3%
Manager 4.2%
Information Technology Director 4.1%
Senior Consultant 3.7%
Senior Project Manager 3.7%
Program Manager 3.6%
Programmer Analyst 3.1%
Senior Vice President 2.6%
Systems Analyst 2.6%
Information Technology Project Manager 2.4%
Information Technology Consultant 2.4%
Chief Executive Officer 2.4%

Top Careers After Chief Information Officer

Vice President 8.8%
Consultant 8.3%
Chief Technology Officer 8.1%
Vice President Of Information Technology 7.0%
Director Of Information 6.5%
Project Manager 6.1%
Senior Project Manager 5.6%
Chief Operating Officer 5.5%
Program Manager 5.3%
Chief Executive Officer 5.1%
Director 4.6%
President 4.5%
Information Technology Consultant 3.8%
Senior Vice President 3.6%
Principal 3.3%
Information Technology Director 3.2%
Senior Consultant 3.0%
Information Technology Project Manager 2.7%
Chief Finance Officer 2.7%
President/Chief Executive Officer 2.6%

Chief Information Officer Demographics

Gender

Male
73.4%
Female
24.1%
Unknown
2.4%

Ethnicity

White
79.5%
Hispanic or Latino
9.0%
Asian
8.6%
Unknown
2.2%
Black or African American
0.7%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
36.2%
French
13.8%
German
8.8%
Mandarin
5.8%
Chinese
5.8%
Italian
4.2%
Portuguese
3.8%
Russian
3.1%
Cantonese
3.1%
Japanese
2.7%
Carrier
2.3%
Hindi
1.9%
Hebrew
1.5%
Swedish
1.2%
Gujarati
1.2%
Dutch
1.2%
Urdu
1.2%
Arabic
1.2%
Persian
0.8%
Swahili
0.4%

Chief Information Officer

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Chief Information Officer Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
20.9%
George Washington University
7.9%
University of Maryland - University College
6.3%
George Mason University
4.8%
Michigan State University
4.4%
Webster University
4.4%
University of Maryland - College Park
4.2%
Villanova University
4.2%
Capella University
4.2%
Ohio State University
3.7%
Harvard University
3.7%
University of Houston
3.6%
Drexel University
3.6%
Strayer University
3.6%
Northeastern University
3.6%
University of Pennsylvania
3.5%
Stanford University
3.5%
Columbia University
3.4%
Northwestern University
3.3%
New York University
3.1%

Majors

Degrees

Masters
36.8%
Bachelors
36.4%
Other
15.2%
Doctorate
3.9%
Associate
3.6%
Certificate
3.3%
Diploma
0.7%
License
0.1%

Chief Information Officer

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Real Chief Information Officer Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Chief Information Officer, Vice President	Cornell University	Ithaca, NY	Jan 11, 2014	$445,600
Chief Information Officer	Treasury Wine Estates Americas Company	Napa, CA	Apr 01, 2015	$404,787
Chief Information Officer, Business Unit IT Services	The Coca-Cola Company	Atlanta, GA	Nov 16, 2015	$400,000
CIO & Treasurer	Drake USA Inc.	New York, NY	May 15, 2015	$300,000
Chief Information Officer	Moduslink Coporation	Waltham, MA	Jul 06, 2015	$300,000
Chief Information Officer	Lineage Logistics ICM, LLC	Colton, CA	Oct 01, 2015	$275,000 - $325,000
Chief Information Officer	Assured Guaranty Corp.	New York, NY	Sep 23, 2014	$275,000
Asst Prof & Asst Chief Medical Information Officer	University of Mississippi Medical Center	Jackson, MS	Aug 03, 2015	$250,780
Chief Medical Information Officer	Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital	Santa Rosa, CA	Jan 15, 2016	$250,106
Chief Information Officer	The Jackson Laboratory	Bar Harbor, ME	Aug 26, 2013	$250,000
Chief Information Officer	Lineage Logistics ICM, LLC	Colton, CA	Jan 22, 2015	$245,000 - $275,000
Vice President, Chief Information Officer	VCE Company, LLC	Richardson, TX	Sep 15, 2013	$242,674 - $260,000
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer	Onvia, Inc.	Seattle, WA	Nov 13, 2015	$196,500 - $390,800
Chief Information Officer	Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics, Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Jul 08, 2013	$192,219
Chief Information Officer	Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics, Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Jul 22, 2013	$192,219
Chief Medical Information Officer	Accountable Care Transactions, Inc.	Boston, MA	Apr 22, 2016	$190,000
Chief Information Officer, Heinz North America	H.J. Heinz Company	Pittsburgh, PA	Aug 31, 2014	$190,000
Chief Medical Information Officer	Accountable Care Transactions, Inc.	Boston, MA	Sep 26, 2016	$190,000
Chief Medical Information Officer	Accountable Care Transactions, Inc.	MA	Sep 26, 2013	$190,000
Chief Information Officer	IPRO Solutions (USA) Inc.	Irvine, CA	Nov 03, 2014	$165,000
Chief Information Officer	IPRO Solutions (USA) Inc.	Irvine, CA	Oct 20, 2014	$165,000
Chief Information Officer	Sybrid Health, LLC	Carrollton, TX	Jul 07, 2016	$163,883
Chief Information Officer	NACA Logistics (USA) Inc.	Long Beach, CA	Sep 27, 2014	$160,000 - $225,000
Manager, CIO Advisory	Kurt Salmon Us Inc.	New York, NY	Aug 22, 2014	$160,000
Chief Information Officer	NHIC Holdings, LLC	Houston, TX	Jul 25, 2016	$157,000
Chief Information Officer	Bay Area Credit Service, LLC	Antioch, CA	Oct 11, 2015	$145,000

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Top Skills for A Chief Information Officer

Top Chief Information Officer Skills

Network Infrastructure
CIO
Information Technology Governance

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Deployed secure network infrastructure to incorporate data encryption to comply with patient confidentiality policy.
Key member of global CIO executive team that manages $250m in global IT spend.
Organized the Information Technology Governance Committee to evaluate and prioritize IT project requests guided by organizational goals and objectives.
Provided financial, technical, political, and economic analyses for classified intelligence programs.
Led supplier selection and negotiations for data carriers (MPLS, IP Corporate backbone) both for North America and globally.