What does an information technology systems director do?
Generally, an information technology systems director is responsible for the management, organization, and execution of IT operations. They oversee technical projects and IT infrastructure, manage a team of employees in the IT department, direct the effective delivery of networks in alignment with the organization's goals, and tracking technology. Their objective is to ensure that security risks are minimized, business goals are met, and user satisfaction is achieved.
Information technology systems director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real information technology systems director resumes:
- 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.
- Implement HIPAA security and confidentiality measures to insure compliance prior to original requirement date.
- Work with executives to gain consensus regarding PCI compliance plan for organization including departmental policies.
- Migrate individual production servers to a Microsoft HyperV configure server farm using SAN storage devices.
- Provide adherence to PCI regulations by providing timely delivery of findings to asset owners for remediation.
- Create new test and development environment leveraging existing physical hardware and software make available through SAN conversion.
- Introduce high availability and redundancy by re-engineering VMware infrastructure completely to include network, storage, and power.
- Position the division for future enterprise-wide reporting capabilities with the implementation of ITIL best practices within the application discrepancy remediation processes.
- Initiate and provide security administration and audits of HIPAA security, privacy and transactions and recommend and implement new protocol standards.
- Create and modify several proprietary programs using Java to aid in production and sequencing of manufacture parts.
Information technology systems director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Information Technology Systems Directors are proficient in Project Management, Architecture, and Network Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Information Technology Systems Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 9%
Implemented Project Management Office to Support Strategic IS initiatives Developed Organization wide Data Governance and Data Architect committees.
- Architecture, 6%
Designed flexible architecture to migrate and manage systems while online, improving company performance overall.
- Network Infrastructure, 5%
Managed all aspects of information technology including educational systems and Network infrastructure.
- Cloud, 5%
Project Manager for new wireless access within the site with remote access to the wireless system with cloud controls.
- HR, 5%
Finance, HR, Legal) - Baxter International Managed the corporate system IT portfolio in Europe.
- Customer Service, 5%
Streamlined processes and improved customer service for wholesale customers.
Most information technology systems directors use their skills in "project management," "architecture," and "network infrastructure" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential information technology systems director responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an information technology systems director 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." Information technology systems directors often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "coordinated and designed business processes to integrate both party's systems and data interchange. "
Business skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling information technology systems director duties is business skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "it managers must develop and implement strategic plans to reach the goals of their organizations." According to an information technology systems director resume, here's how information technology systems directors can utilize business skills in their job responsibilities: "developed and implemented the business applications (erp) strategy. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of information technology systems directors is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday information technology systems director duties, as "it managers must explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "work with development department for design and engineering needs of pos, networking and telecommunication systems. "
Leadership skills. For certain information technology systems director responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of an information technology systems director 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 information technology systems directors do: "provided leadership, training and mentoring for 5 direct reports. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for information technology systems director responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of information technology systems directors all the time, as "some it managers must coordinate the work of several different it departments to make the organization run efficiently." An excerpt from a real information technology systems director resume shows how this skill is central to what an information technology systems director does: "managed programs, portfolios and organizational strategies alongside cio and vp's, ensuring accomplishment of the long-term strategy goals. "
The three companies that hire the most information technology systems directors are:
Choose from 10+ customizable information technology systems director resume templates
Build a professional information technology systems director 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 information technology systems director resume.
Compare different information technology systems directors
Information technology systems director 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an information technology systems director are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "emerging technologies," "supply chain planning," and "crm." On the other hand, a job as a director, technical operations requires skills like "windows," "service delivery," "vendor management," and "r." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, directors, technical operations reach similar levels of education than information technology systems directors. Directors, technical operations are 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Information technology systems director vs. Systems manager
A systems manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the information technology department, evaluating staff performance, developing strategic procedures to maximize productivity, and identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenues and profitability for the company. Systems managers inspect company networks to ensure the efficiency of the technology systems, conducting regular diagnostic tests, and installing upgrades to boost optimization. A systems manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command in programming languages and system codes to maintain the security of the company's database.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that information technology systems director responsibilities requires skills like "architecture," "cloud," "emerging technologies," and "vendor relationships." But a systems manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "data entry," "client facing," and "troubleshoot."
Systems managers earn similar levels of education than information technology systems directors in general. They're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information technology systems director 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, information technology systems directors are more likely to have skills like "architecture," "customer service," "business processes," and "supply chain planning." But a director of technology and services is more likely to have skills like "technical service," "healthcare," "technical support," and "continuous improvement."
Most directors of technology and services achieve a similar degree level compared to information technology systems directors. For example, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information technology systems director 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.
Types of information technology systems director
Updated January 8, 2025
