IT Director Roles & Responsibilities

Nearly every large organization or corporation has at least one Information Technology (IT) Director. Some companies may have more than one. The scale and industry of the company determines what the IT Director job description entails. Of course, the larger the company, the more IT Directors there may be and the more responsibilities they will share.  

What is the IT Director Job Description?

An IT Director typically manages computing resources for organizations across many industries.  They are responsible for the management, strategy, and execution of the IT infrastructure for an organization. 

The IT Director will often report directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). They will typically provide the CTO with updates and request resource support for the entire technology team that the IT Director oversees. This means that an IT Director will likely oversee one or several IT teams, and may work alongside other IT directors and their teams, as well. 

What Does an IT Director Do? 

The duties and responsibilities of an IT Director will vary based on the size of the company or organization, and the industry that they are working in. More importantly, the IT Director’s responsibilities will differ from their actual duties, since they are responsible for those they oversee as well. The typical job duties and responsibilities of an IT Director include: 

• Overseeing technical projects in alignment with the company’s goals
• Directing the effective delivery of networks, development, and disaster recovery computer systems and processes
• Working to find solutions to manage business activities efficiently
• Supervising a team of workers, while working closely with management, external vendors, and advisors in technology
• Preparing financial budgets and presenting proposals for capital projects to senior executives
• Researching and recommending new technology products and software
• Identifying new market opportunities
• Leading efforts to improve the IT processes

What are the Requirements & Qualifications of an IT Director? 

The requirements and qualifications to be a successful IT Director include:

• Advanced technical knowledge
• Communication, both written and verbal, as the Director will need to communicate with technically-minded employees as well as non-technical colleagues
• Leadership and management skills
• An analytical mindset to develop and utilize reliable metrics
• A solid understanding of other parts of the business, not just IT and technology 
• Cooperation and collaboration
• Financial skills including budgeting, forecasting, and justifying
• Speaking and writing skills
• B.S. in programming, computer science, computer engineering, or a related field
• Several years of experience managing employees within an IT environment
• Several years of experience working with particular systems that are relevant to your company
• Optional (but highly preferred) a Master’s degree, such as an MS in information technology or an MBA focusing on tech or business 

Being an IT Director doesn’t mean reaching the peak of a career. Eventually, IT Directors move up the ladder even more, perhaps as the CIO or Vice President of Technology. Today, technology is extremely vital to businesses everywhere, so opportunities for career growth are anticipated. Those seeking a career as an IT Director should seek out certifications and training from companies like Apple, Cisco, and Microsoft.