IT Director / Head of IT

What is an IT Director / Head of IT?

IT Directors oversee all IT-related operations within an organisation. They often manage teams, supervising and mentoring both senior technicians and staff, and entry-level assistants. They ensure the smooth day-to-day function of IT departments, systems, and processes, and create and implement best practices and policies.

They may also analyse the technology needs of departments, teams, and projects, and deliver strategies and solutions to meet their business goals and needs, within specified timeframes and budgets.

IT Director / Head of IT job description

The majority of the time, IT Directors are likely to be found managing IT staff and overseeing the smooth function of the IT department.

Other common tasks include:

Liaising with other business units in order to address their technology needs

Ensuring the maintenance and upgrade of existing IT systems

Identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities

Ensuring technical support tickets and issues are resolved in a timely manner

Preparing budgets, forecasts, and performance reports

Identifying and recommending new technology solutions

Developing disaster/crisis recovery strategies

What skills and qualifications should an IT Director have?

While a tertiary education in computer science or a related field is recommended, it is not a strict requirement. Instead, IT Directors should be able to demonstrate a high level of technical and managerial/leadership skills. For that reason, several years experience in a management position is advised, particularly within a technical environment.

IT is a fast-paced, dynamic field. As such, IT Directors should be able to demonstrate lifelong learning and the ability to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and developments via certifications, membership to professional organisations, other professional development achievements, and active networking.

Other technical skills should include:

Soft skills should include:

Communication (with IT and non-IT staff)

Ability to work under pressure

Analytical and critical thinking

Problem solving

Leadership and mentoring

Interpersonal

Teamwork

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