Post job

What does an executive director, information technology do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

An Executive Director of Information Technology (IT) will lead a team of IT professionals and oversee all of an organization's core IT activities, operations, and initiatives. They are responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations of computer networks, operating systems, and hardware, managing the IT budget, and overseeing services and contracts. They are also responsible for directing, reviewing, and evaluating the performance of IT staff and designing and implementing IT policies and procedures.

On this page

Executive director, information technology responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real executive director, information technology resumes:

  • Manage full SDLC for product development, and also manage outsourcing arrangements.
  • Manage SOX policy development and reporting activities.
  • Lead application selection process in conjunction with customer and translate business requirements into application architecture and delivery of system functionality.
  • Experience with regulatory standards such as SAS70, SOX404 and ITIL.
  • Develop regular status reports, formal and informal, and share with CIO.
  • Train MasterCard CIO and senior executives on how to improve availability using USAA practices and processes.
  • Transition all local, home base and remote call center operations to this virtual private cloud platform.
  • Reduce critical system downtime through the adoption of ITIL base processes and a transformation to a service management culture.
  • Negotiate with vendors as organization re-architects infrastructure to cloud centered presence.
  • Provide adept leadership throughout planning, preparation, requirements gathering, solutions architecture, testing, and implementation.
  • Exceed company security requirements by championing the implementation of PCI standards and compliance by driving network security and intrusion prevention measures.
  • Assume direction of RFP process for the selection of personal computers for the organization.
  • Spearhead convergence of payroll systems to ADP application host on Citrix, consolidating all remote payroll information into single corporate database.

Executive director, information technology skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Executive Directors, Information Technology are proficient in Project Management, Governance, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Executive Directors, Information Technology that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Project Management, 8%

    Implemented portfolio/project management initiatives across several firms, managing resources/ budget/metrics resulting in decreased project cycle times and optimized resource utilization.

  • Governance, 6%

    Provided guidance and recommendations related to increasing maturity level of EPMO and Governance organization and processes

  • Cloud, 5%

    Spearheaded migration of multiple antiquated servicing systems into a hybrid SOA, Cloud and SaaS solution.

  • Service Delivery, 5%

    Created IT Service Catalog and Service Portfolio Strategy in coordination with Service Delivery and Support organization and IT Financial.

  • Network Infrastructure, 5%

    Devised an approach to upgrade the network infrastructure from a 1GB to a 10GB backbone.

  • Application Development, 4%

    Transitioned enterprise application development from traditional methodology to Services Oriented Architecture and Agile development methodology.

Most executive directors, information technology use their skills in "project management," "governance," and "cloud" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential executive director, information technology responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an executive director, information technology to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "it managers must analyze problems and consider and select the best ways to solve them." Executive directors, information technology often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "reduced it cost by $3m annually through consolidating singapore and thailand data centers as well as two erp instances. "

Business skills. Another essential skill to perform executive director, information technology duties is business skills. Executive directors, information technology responsibilities require that "it managers must develop and implement strategic plans to reach the goals of their organizations." Executive directors, information technology also use business skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "implemented oracle e-business erp r 12. "

Communication skills. executive directors, information technology are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to executive director, information technology responsibilities, because "it managers must explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates." An executive director, information technology resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "delivered real-time incident command and senior executive communications to the cio and coo regarding availability. "

Leadership skills. For certain executive director, information technology responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of an executive director, information technology rely on this skill, as "it managers must lead and motivate it teams or departments so that workers are efficient and effective." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what executive directors, information technology do: "provide executive leadership, p&l;, budgeting, strategic development, integration, governance and delivery to global clients. "

Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for an executive director, information technology to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what executive directors, information technology relies on this skill, since "some it managers must coordinate the work of several different it departments to make the organization run efficiently." How this skill relates to executive director, information technology duties can be seen in an example from an executive director, information technology resume snippet: "spearheaded the development and implementation of an organizational business plan used to establish and achieve measurable goals in service management. "

All executive director, information technology skills

Choose from 10+ customizable executive director, information technology resume templates

Build a professional executive director, information technology resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your executive director, information technology resume.
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume
Executive Director, Information Technology Resume

Compare different executive directors, information technology

Executive director, information technology vs. Information manager

An information manager is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the company's network systems, preventing unauthorized access and malicious attempts at stealing information and confidential data. Information managers identify the organization's business needs to develop and design technology solutions with the help of system analysts and computer engineers. They schedule the configuration and upgrades of network infrastructure to avoid system downtimes and ensure efficient navigations and transitions. An information manager must have excellent critical-thinking and technical skills, especially in resolving network issues and monitoring technology projects.

We looked at the average executive director, information technology salary and compared it with the wages of an information manager. Generally speaking, information managers are paid $83,002 lower than executive directors, information technology per year.Even though executive directors, information technology and information managers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require project management, hipaa, and sql in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between executive directors, information technology and information manager. For instance, executive director, information technology responsibilities require skills such as "governance," "cloud," "service delivery," and "network infrastructure." Whereas a information manager is skilled in "patients," "powerpoint," "data analysis," and "strong analytical." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Information managers really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $124,395. Comparatively, executive directors, information technology tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $187,130.information managers tend to reach lower levels of education than executive directors, information technology. In fact, information managers are 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Executive director, information technology vs. Information systems director

An Information Systems Director spearheads and oversees a business establishment's information systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They set goals and guidelines, establish protocols and timelines, liaise with external business partners such as vendors and suppliers, manage staff, and develop strategies to optimize operations. As an Information Systems Director, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach performance and service goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average, information systems directors earn a $52,824 lower salary than executive directors, information technology a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both executive directors, information technology and information systems directors have skills such as "project management," "network infrastructure," and "application development. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real executive director, information technology resumes. While executive director, information technology responsibilities can utilize skills like "governance," "cloud," "service delivery," and "architecture," information systems directors use skills like "customer service," "sql server," "financial systems," and "computer system."

Information systems directors earn a lower average salary than executive directors, information technology. But information systems directors earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $125,492. Additionally, executive directors, information technology earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $187,130 annually.information systems directors earn similar levels of education than executive directors, information technology in general. They're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Executive director, information technology vs. 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. Furthermore, a chief information officer is in charge of managing the workforce behind computer systems, ensuring their efficiency in accomplishing tasks and projects.

On average scale, chief information officers bring in lower salaries than executive directors, information technology. In fact, they earn a $36,739 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on executive directors, information technology and chief information officers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "project management," "cloud," and "service delivery.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an executive director, information technology is likely to be skilled in "governance," "shared services," "sql," and "application support," while a typical chief information officer is skilled in "portfolio," "customer service," "business strategy," and "healthcare."

Chief information officers earn the highest salary when working in the agriculture industry, where they receive an average salary of $154,502. Comparatively, executive directors, information technology have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $187,130.chief information officers typically earn similar educational levels compared to executive directors, information technology. Specifically, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Executive director, information technology 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.

Directors, technical operations typically earn lower pay than executive directors, information technology. On average, directors, technical operations earn a $42,488 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, executive directors, information technology and directors, technical operations both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "project management," "cloud," and "service delivery. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An executive director, information technology uses "governance," "strategic plan," "emerging technologies," and "shared services." Directors, technical operations are more likely to have duties that require skills in "windows," "san," "r," and "level agreements. "The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for directors, technical operations, with average annual pay of $143,691. Comparatively, the highest executive director, information technology annual salary comes from the finance industry.In general, directors, technical operations hold similar degree levels compared to executive directors, information technology. Directors, technical operations are 3.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of executive director, information technology

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.

Browse executive management jobs