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What does a Chief Information Officer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a Chief Information Officer do

A chief information officer, also known as CIO, is responsible for the technological development within the company or organization. Primarily overseeing all information technology-related operations, a chief information officer takes the lead in setting the department's budget, developing strategies that will improve computer systems, and implementing policies to attain significant growth in profit and client base. Furthermore, a chief information officer is in charge of managing the workforce behind computer systems, ensuring their efficiency in accomplishing tasks and projects.

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Chief information officer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real chief information officer resumes:

  • Lead formulation and execution of technology strategy essential to achieving investor ROI objectives.
  • Manage all Microsoft SQL databases, SQL 2005 and SQL 2008R2.
  • Manage the process and deliverables for the FY2016 FISMA audit.
  • Manage the team of Java developers to customize Java links for data integration.
  • Manage design, development and implementation of a corporate web sites and intranet sites.
  • Attain PCI compliance by minimizing the scope to ease the cost and burden of compliance; saving an estimate 187k.
  • Provide executive leadership on multiple projects including: electronic commerce, ERP implementation, custom software development, network and telecommunications.
  • Lead Indiana's e-Government effort to national recognition through development of business strategy, technical architecture, and marketing/branding effort.
  • Lead technology portfolio that support daily business operations and define short and long-term technology strategy to support business growth needs.
  • Develop a highly effective team of Sr.
  • Supervise new ADP payroll system and first HRIS.
  • Design and migrate from UNIX platform to NT platform.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert, and Sr.
  • Advise the CISO on technical topics and Battelle operations.
  • COO function for information enterprise services in the Americas.

Chief information officer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Chief Information Officers are proficient in CIO, Project Management, and Network Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Management skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.

We break down the percentage of Chief Information Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CIO, 7%

    Served as the primary interface for maintaining technical relationship premier customer CIO's and actively participates in joint business/technology steering meetings.

  • Project Management, 6%

    Created and implemented a new process for project management and resource allocation resulting in continual delivery of projects on-time and on-budget.

  • Network Infrastructure, 5%

    Developed and implemented a successful core upgrade strategy for the replacement and redesign of server systems and network infrastructure.

  • Architecture, 4%

    Identified IT objectives, established vendor management program, defined infrastructure architecture, and selected best-of-breed application software and technology vendors.

  • Portfolio, 4%

    Launched 3yr application portfolio simplification strategy to reduce support costs and deployment time, while increasing performance and availability of applications.

  • Customer Service, 4%

    Developed a culture of high customer service within IT by implementing accountability tools of service level agreements raising overall customer satisfaction.

"cio," "project management," and "network infrastructure" are among the most common skills that chief information officers use at work. You can find even more chief information officer responsibilities below, including:

Problem-solving skills. Many chief information officer duties rely on problem-solving skills. "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization," so a chief information officer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways chief information officer responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "negotiated and executed contract and program delivery of microsoft dynamics ax erp eliminating 7 independent and silo'd business solutions. "

Time-management skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of chief information officers is time-management skills. This skill is critical to many everyday chief information officer duties, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "implemented jd edwards enterprise one erp system internationally at multiple locations, on time and on budget. "

Communication skills. chief information officer responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." This resume example shows what chief information officers do with communication skills on a typical day: "provided executive leadership on multiple projects including: electronic commerce, erp implementation, custom software development, network and telecommunications. "

Leadership skills. Another common skill required for chief information officer responsibilities is "leadership skills." This skill comes up in the duties of chief information officers all the time, as "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." An excerpt from a real chief information officer resume shows how this skill is central to what a chief information officer does: "provided vision and leadership in the development, implementation and support of a unified global erp to 50+ clients worldwide. "

Most common chief information officer skills

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Compare different chief information officers

Chief information officer vs. Vice president, technology

A vice president of technology is in charge of overseeing all technological operations in a company while managing the workforce involved, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Typically, it is their responsibility to establish goals and objectives, devising strategies to enforce them. They also spearhead the development of new systems and tools that boost workforce productivity, coordinate with analysts and specialists, and resolve any issues and concerns. Furthermore, as a vice president, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.

If we compare the average chief information officer annual salary with that of a vice president, technology, we find that vice presidents, technology typically earn a $5,555 higher salary than chief information officers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both chief information officer and vice president, technology positions are skilled in cio, project management, and architecture.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between chief information officers and vice president, technology. For instance, chief information officer responsibilities require skills such as "network infrastructure," "customer service," "business strategy," and "healthcare." Whereas a vice president, technology is skilled in "analytics," "java," "risk management," and "c #." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Vice presidents, technology tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $156,843. In contrast, chief information officers make the biggest average salary, $154,502, in the agriculture industry.On average, vice presidents, technology reach similar levels of education than chief information officers. Vice presidents, technology are 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Chief information officer vs. Director, technical operations

A director of technical operations is in charge of spearheading the efforts in optimizing business operations. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to determine the best operational practices, setting goals and objectives, allocating budgets, coordinating different departments, and evaluating the performance of technicians and engineers. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to serve as a driving force that leads and encourages the workforce to meet goals and new heights, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Director, technical operations positions earn lower pay than chief information officer roles. They earn a $5,749 lower salary than chief information officers per year.A few skills overlap for chief information officers and directors, technical operations. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "cio," "project management," and "network infrastructure. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real chief information officer resumes. While chief information officer responsibilities can utilize skills like "portfolio," "customer service," "business strategy," and "healthcare," directors, technical operations use skills like "r," "level agreements," "customer satisfaction," and "cycle management."

Directors, technical operations may earn a lower salary than chief information officers, but directors, technical operations earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $143,691. On the other hand, chief information officers receive higher pay in the agriculture industry, where they earn an average salary of $154,502.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Directors, technical operations tend to reach similar levels of education than chief information officers. In fact, they're 4.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Chief information officer vs. Director of technology and services

A director of technology and services is responsible for monitoring the operations in the technical side of an organization and managing the efficiency of network systems to ensure the stability and efficiency of business functions. Directors of technology and services oversee the safety and security of networks across the organization to prevent unauthorized access and leakage of data statistics. They also perform regular quality checks on the systems, improving users' interface, and upgrading network infrastructure to achieve the highest customer satisfaction.

An average director of technology and services eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of chief information officers. The difference in salaries amounts to directors of technology and services earning a $20,093 lower average salary than chief information officers.chief information officers and directors of technology and services both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "cio," "project management," and "network infrastructure," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from chief information officer resumes include skills like "architecture," "portfolio," "customer service," and "business strategy," whereas a director of technology and services is more likely to list skills in "technical service," "technical support," "continuous improvement," and "r."

Directors of technology and services earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $124,051. Chief information officers earn the highest pay from the agriculture industry, with an average salary of $154,502.Most directors of technology and services achieve a similar degree level compared to chief information officers. For example, they're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Chief information officer vs. Director of managed services

A director of managed services is in charge of overseeing the business processes in an organization, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around setting goals and objectives, managing the workforce, spearheading projects and campaigns, devising strategies to optimize services, and coordinating with analysts to identify new business opportunities. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach new heights, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Directors of managed services typically earn lower pay than chief information officers. On average, directors of managed services earn a $26,048 lower salary per year.While both chief information officers and directors of managed services complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cio, project management, and portfolio, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between chief information officers and directors of managed services, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a chief information officer might have more use for skills like "network infrastructure," "architecture," "customer service," and "business strategy." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of directors of managed services require skills like "oversight," "infrastructure," "shared services," and "risk management. "

Directors of managed services enjoy the best pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $134,326. For comparison, chief information officers earn the highest salary in the agriculture industry.In general, directors of managed services hold similar degree levels compared to chief information officers. Directors of managed services are 4.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of chief information officer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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