How to hire a director, technical operations

How to hire a director, technical operations, step by step

Here's a step-by-step director, technical operations hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a director, technical operations job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new director, technical operations
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a director, technical operations do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The director, technical operations hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a director, technical operations to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a director, technical operations that fits the bill.

   This list presents director, technical operations salaries for various positions.

   Type of Director, Technical Operations	Description	Hourly rate
   Director, Technical Operations	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$47-96
   Information Technology Director	An information technology (IT) Director is a professional responsible for the management, strategy, and execution of an organization's IT infrastructure. He/She supervises a team of workers while working with the organization's management and external vendors and advisors... Show more	$46-94
   Chief Information Officer	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... Show more	$47-105

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Cloud
   • Network Infrastructure
   • Architecture
   • Windows
   • SAN
   • ITIL
   • Service Delivery
   • Disaster Recovery
   • Strategic Direction
   • Vendor Management
   • Level Agreements
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Process Improvement

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Lead the development, manufacturing and delivery of Linux backup appliance storage server solution for small business customers.
   • Define, document, and enforce guidelines regarding SOX compliance, pertinent to operational functions for all manage areas.

   More director, technical operations duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your director, technical operations job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A director, technical operations can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, directors, technical operations' average salary in kentucky is 54% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level directors, technical operations 51% less than senior-level directors, technical operations.
   • Certifications. A director, technical operations with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a director, technical operations's salary.

   Average director, technical operations salary

   $141,158yearly

   $67.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level director, technical operations salary

   $98,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average director, technical operations salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$178,337	$86
   2	Washington	$159,104	$76
   3	Colorado	$147,102	$71
   4	New Jersey	$146,448	$70
   5	North Carolina	$145,142	$70
   6	New York	$141,028	$68
   7	District of Columbia	$140,709	$68
   8	Texas	$137,258	$66
   9	Virginia	$136,561	$66
   10	Massachusetts	$133,150	$64
   11	Wisconsin	$130,821	$63
   12	Oregon	$130,537	$63
   13	Georgia	$125,624	$60
   14	Arizona	$124,766	$60
   15	Pennsylvania	$124,567	$60
   16	Illinois	$122,491	$59
   17	Delaware	$121,369	$58
   18	Tennessee	$117,398	$56
   19	Minnesota	$112,354	$54
   20	Ohio	$111,580	$54

   Average director, technical operations salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Brookfield Properties	$224,753	$108.05	11
   2	Google	$195,937	$94.20	176
   3	Adobe	$180,285	$86.68	24
   4	Netflix	$175,753	$84.50	10
   5	Hearst	$169,553	$81.52	17
   6	Backblaze	$164,756	$79.21	1
   7	Audible	$163,288	$78.50	1
   8	Salesforce	$161,594	$77.69	30
   9	Amazon	$159,774	$76.81	976
   10	Kaiser Permanente	$157,007	$75.48	44
   11	Booyah	$156,243	$75.12
   12	Vertex Pharmaceuticals	$156,099	$75.05	9
   13	Sony Pictures	$155,549	$74.78	4
   14	Essence Global	$155,287	$74.66
   15	Backcountry.com	$153,503	$73.80
   16	Amd	$152,511	$73.32	7
   17	McLeod Health	$152,396	$73.27	9
   18	Randstad North America, Inc.	$151,871	$73.01	9
   19	Genuine Parts	$151,728	$72.95	15
   20	Next Gear Solutions	$151,331	$72.76

4. Writing a director, technical operations job description

   A director, technical operations job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a director, technical operations job description:

   Director, technical operations job description example

   Michael Baker International is actively seeking an experienced program management and business development leader to drive its growing Operational Technology Risk Assessment (OTRA) Practice.
   This role can be located anywhere in the continental US and worked remotely. The role is responsible for the development of Michael Baker's new OTRA Practice focused on helping commercial and public sector real property owners understand and address cyber safety and security risks associated with use of smart OT in their facilities and infrastructure. In addition to successfully launching Michael Baker's new OTRA Practice, the selected candidate will provide support to business development strategy, enterprise-wide innovation, coordination and application of Michael Baker's other OT-related capabilities and expertise across sectors, markets and geographies to ensure our planning and design services and products meet our government and private sector clients' cybersecurity risk management requirements and expectations.
   
   The position will manage, either directly or indirectly, existing Michael Baker staff with the intent to further develop our existing team of OT professionals, companywide. In addition to OTRA Practice leadership, responsibilities include managing project schedules and budgets, coordination of multiple technical services across disciplines, handling project reporting and finances, and developing and maintaining relationships with clients and teaming partners. The selected candidate will drive innovation and perform technical oversight, staff development, contract management, technical and cost proposal development, project performance and client management and development
   
   RESPONSIBILITIES
   Establish and grow Michael Baker's OTRA Practice Reinforce and enhance internal and external business relationships, recognize emerging OT-related cyber safety and security risk assessment opportunities, and cultivate new client and partner relationships Provide technical leadership and guide junior staff in OTRA planning, analysis, design, maintenance, construction, modernization and implementation for projects related to use of smart OT in facilities and infrastructure Provide thought leadership on the adoption, utilization, and impacts of emerging OT, risks, threats, and mitigation strategies and measures Lead and guide other staff on OTRA aspects of projects Provide clients with sound advice and information on local or mission-related conditions that may require changes in technology or system improvements based on technology, industry advancements, or organizational and policy changes Support all project phases such as scoping studies, technical studies, business case development, preparation of specifications, cost estimates, technical plans, data analysis and system implementation Provide technical consulting and subject matter expertise to clients Lead and support the prepositioning, development and responses to RFPs Identify skill gaps and recruit additional staff to support the practice Develop near and long-term business strategy
   PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
   15+ years of experience in program, project, and client management and including administrative and supervisory experience in the engineering industry 10+ years of OTRA experience, familiarity with relevant and applicable standards, processes, regulations and policies and with demonstrated industry relationships across government and commercial markets 10+ years of experience with major manufactures of OT equipment in either design or implementation. Must be a US Citizen and be able to meet all requirements to obtain security clearance.
   PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
   Professional Engineer (PE) License or Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is preferred Advanced technical knowledge of leading building control systems Intermediate to advanced knowledge of IT and OT network environments
   COMPENSATION
   
   Range for this position is $175,000-$215,000 depending on the skills and experience of the incoming candidate.
   
   MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL EEO STATEMENT AND OTHER INFORMATION
   
   Michael Baker International is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. As a covered federal contractor, Michael Baker International is required to comply with Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, and its implementing guidelines. If the federal vaccine mandate is found to be valid and enforceable, this will include ensuring that all covered employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, except in limited circumstances where there is a legal entitlement to an accommodation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.Michael Baker International is actively seeking an experienced program management and business development leader to drive its growing Operational Technology Risk Assessment (OTRA) Practice. The role is responsible for the development of Michael Baker's new OTRA Practice focused on helping commercial and public sector real property owners understand and address cyber safety and security risks associated with use of smart OT in their facilities and infrastructure. In addition to successfully launching Michael Baker's new OTRA Practice, the selected candidate will provide support to business development strategy, enterprise-wide innovation, coordination and application of Michael Baker's other OT-related capabilities and expertise across sectors, markets and geographies to ensure our planning and design services and products meet our government and private sector clients' cybersecurity risk management requirements and expectations.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right director, technical operations for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your director, technical operations job on Zippia to find and recruit director, technical operations candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit directors, technical operations, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new director, technical operations

   Once you've selected the best director, technical operations candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new director, technical operations first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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