IT Career Skills Series: IT Director
In the digital age, required skill sets are constantly changing. You may be looking to upskill your current team or hire new talent to fill those skill gaps. Or maybe you’re looking to elevate your own skills and career. Whatever your goals, welcome to the IT Career Skills Series. In this 10 part series, we will breakdown the top skills for each role your need on your IT dream team.
Get a FREE downloadable Career Skills List and IT skills matrix to test your teams’ (or your own!) proficiency against these must-have skills.
Nearly every company relies on technology for some part of their daily operation that means having an IT organization to support it. At the head is the IT director, responsible for the management, strategy and execution of IT infrastructure for an organization.
What Does an IT Director Do in 2024?
As technology continues to shape the modern workplace, the role of an IT director has become increasingly crucial. In 2024, IT directors are responsible for overseeing the technical infrastructure within organizations, leading a team of IT staff, determining business requirements for IT systems, managing the design and implementation of IT infrastructure, and eliminating security risks.
With the rise of digital transformation, IT directors must be able to balance technology and business objectives while maintaining operational efficiency and security.
9 Essential Skills for IT Directors in 2024
Business Skills : Understanding finance, strategy, and negotiation are essential for IT directors to be successful.
Financial Skills : Management and budgeting skills are critical for IT directors, including forecasting, researching, planning, and executing budgets.
Strategic Thinking : IT directors must have a strategic mindset to manage technology and align it with business objectives while maintaining operational efficiency and security.
Negotiating : IT directors are in constant negotiations with stakeholders, vendors, and teams to ensure the organization's technology requirements are met.
Analytical Mind : Breaking down complex issues and analyzing interdependencies is crucial for IT directors to make informed decisions.
Management Skills : Planning, organizing, delegating, and controlling are essential management skills for IT directors.
Leadership : Clear vision, leadership, and responsibility are critical for IT directors to achieve their objectives and gain trust from stakeholders.
Communication Skills : Strong written and verbal communication is vital for IT directors to communicate effectively with teams, stakeholders, and customers.
Technical Aptitude : Understanding technology is essential for IT directors to manage and implement it effectively.
Job Market Outlook for 2025
According to Deloitte's 2024 Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions report, the demand for IT talent will continue to grow in 2025. The report predicts that there will be a shortage of 3.2 million tech workers by 2028.
Salary for IT Directors in the United States
Information Technology Director average salary in the United States is $199,604 as of October 01, 2024, and typically falls between $178,741 and $222,634.
Hot Job Markets for IT Directors
Cybersecurity : With the rise of cyber threats, organizations are looking for IT directors with expertise in cybersecurity.
Cloud Computing : As companies continue their digitical transformations and move to the cloud, IT directors with experience in cloud computing continue to be in high demand.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning : Organizations seeking to leverage AI and ML are looking for IT directors with expertise in these areas.
