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What is an information technology systems director and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Matthew Liotine Ph.D.

Information technology (IT) systems directors are responsible for overseeing IT department employees and ensuring all technology systems and applications support the organization's goals and objectives. They manage employees within the IT department, liaising with other departments to ascertain their technological requirements, and developing and implementing solutions that meet the requirements.

Information technology systems directors earn an average salary of $131,000 annually or $63 per hour. They perform some duties which include managing computing resources for organizations across many industries. They manage, strategize, and execute IT infrastructure and oversee technical projects in alignment with organizational goals. They also direct the effective delivery of networks, development, and disaster recovery systems and processes.

Information technology systems directors typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field from an accredited university. They are expected to have some management experience in an IT environment. Some employers prefer candidates with excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

What general advice would you give to an information technology systems director?

Matthew Liotine Ph.D.Matthew Liotine Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Clinical Professor and Director of Master of Science in Supply Chain and Operations Management, University of Illinois at Chicago

Most employers tell me that soft skills are equally, if not more important, than technical skills or domain knowledge. This translates into external/internal customer-facing skills, such as communication, team collaboration, writing, presentation, problem-solving, and being resourceful. (Many graduates overlook writing as a vital skill, but they fail to realize that in the course of their jobs, they will likely be required to write lots of memos and tons of emails.) The need to perfect these skills within the confines of a virtual world has become even more challenging and amplified with COVID. I teach in the information systems discipline, and when you view student resumes, many people look the same on paper. The soft skills will make a candidate stand out head and shoulders above the rest. That's why the candidate should pay attention to the screening interviews that they will undergo during the hiring process since employers will use these interviews to vet these skills.
ScoreInformation Technology Systems DirectorUS Average
Salary
8.8

Avg. Salary $147,331

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 12.71%

Black or African American 6.57%

Hispanic or Latino 9.86%

Unknown 5.19%

White 65.47%

Gender

female 10.98%

male 89.02%

Age - 47
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 - 47
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Information technology systems director career paths

Key steps to become an information technology systems director

  1. Explore information technology systems director education requirements

    Most common information technology systems director degrees

    Bachelor's

    65.0 %

    Master's

    15.7 %

    Associate

    13.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific information technology systems director skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management8.57%
    Architecture5.76%
    Network Infrastructure5.11%
    Cloud4.99%
    HR4.85%
  3. Complete relevant information technology systems director training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information technology systems directors 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 an information technology systems director based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information technology systems director resumes.
  4. Research information technology systems director duties and responsibilities

    • Lead internal, global team discussions along with external consultants around global ERP selection process with NetSuite.
    • Design flexible architecture to migrate and manage systems while online, improving company performance overall.
    • Establish ERP system, monitor ERP, manufacturing, and quality control processes, and perform supply chain sourcing audits.
    • Initiate beta activities that validate adoption of key ITIL framework components.
  5. Get information technology systems director experience

    Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become an information technology systems director. The most common roles before becoming an information technology systems director include information technology director, systems administrator team lead and information technology manager.
  6. Prepare your information technology systems director resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information technology systems director 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 an information technology systems director resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable information technology systems director resume templates

    Build a professional information technology systems director 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 information technology systems director resume.
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
    Information Technology Systems Director Resume
  7. Apply for information technology systems director jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an information technology systems director 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 information technology systems director job

Zippi

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Average information technology systems director salary

The average information technology systems director salary in the United States is $147,331 per year or $71 per hour. Information technology systems director salaries range between $103,000 and $209,000 per year.

Average information technology systems director salary
$147,331 Yearly
$70.83 hourly

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How do information technology systems directors rate their job?

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Information technology systems director reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2024
Cons

Lifecycle is not flashy. Software is confusing.


profile
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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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I am not what do you like the most about working as an Information Technology Project Manage

Cons

Do not know


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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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