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What is a director, technical operations and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
R. Scott Hengen
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A director of technical operations manages the design and maintenance of their organization's technical processes and services. As such, their role is essential in ensuring that the organization is functioning with the best business operational processes in place.

The main duties of a director of technical operations include analyzing current operations, researching best practices, setting objectives for business optimization, properly allocating budgets, and overseeing technicians and engineers. They may also play a role in hiring and training technical employees, as well as serve as the main source of guidance for critical issues that may arise.

Employers often require at least a bachelor's degree in business, computer science, or another relevant major for this role. And since this is a high leadership position, candidates must possess years of industry experience to qualify, ideally in a management role. On top of that, they must have above-average skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, as well as decision-making.

Directors of technical operations make an average of $140,000 per year. Jobs are most abundant in the technology and finance sector, especially in transportation, telecommunications, and tech development companies.

What general advice would you give to a director, technical operations?

R. Scott Hengen

Technical Theatre Faculty/Production Coordinator, Montgomery College

Your studies and time in school are a good base and support for your production in the industry. As you begin, please consider that you will still be learning and, even though you have learned the essentials, you will be asked to apply your skills and experience in new ways and in a more competitive and practical atmosphere. Deadlines must be met, and the economy of time and effort will be crucial. Work hard, but try to keep a balance between time in the industry and your home life.
ScoreDirector, Technical OperationsUS Average
Salary
8.7

Avg. Salary $141,158

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.41%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 15.38%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.16%

Gender

female 12.97%

male 87.03%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Director, technical operations career paths

Key steps to become a director, technical operations

  1. Explore director, technical operations education requirements

    Most common director, technical operations degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.3 %

    Master's

    15.4 %

    Associate

    10.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific director, technical operations skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management9.78%
    Cloud6.10%
    Network Infrastructure5.08%
    Architecture4.70%
    Windows3.79%
  3. Complete relevant director, technical operations training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors, technical operations learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director, technical operations based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director, technical operations resumes.
  4. Gain additional director, technical operations certifications

    Director, technical operations certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific director, technical operations certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for directors, technical operations include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research director, technical operations duties and responsibilities

    • Manage global MPLS network provider and new installations.
    • Manage cloud-base, IAAS, or outsource relationships relate to business systems
    • Implement and manage SAN storage system and other large storage volumes creation and maintenance.
    • Manage construction managers, RF managers, and operations to coordinate successful project completions.
  6. Get director, technical operations experience

    Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a director, technical operations. The most common roles before becoming a director, technical operations include information technology director, information technology manager team lead and project manager.
  7. Prepare your director, technical operations resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director, technical operations resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director, technical operations resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable director, technical operations resume templates

    Build a professional director, technical operations resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director, technical operations resume.
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
    Director, Technical Operations Resume
  8. Apply for director, technical operations jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director, technical operations job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first director, technical operations job

Zippi

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Average director, technical operations salary

The average director, technical operations salary in the United States is $141,158 per year or $68 per hour. Director, technical operations salaries range between $98,000 and $201,000 per year.

Average director, technical operations salary
$141,158 Yearly
$67.86 hourly

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Director, technical operations reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

Lot's of things to implement, improve, new ways to work.

Cons

No cons as far as I'm concerned.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

Staying abreast of technology and helping an organization define Technology strategy.

Cons

Work Life Balance can be difficult based on size of team and infrastructure.


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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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