The role of the Chief Information Officer 

The Chief Information Officer (CIOI, also know Information Technology Director (ID),) or IT Director, is responsible for the definition, implementation, development, reliability and security of their organisation’s security systems in line with strategic objectives. Tasks, training, salary and development prospects: we tell you all you need to know about the role of Director of Information Systems. 

1. The main responsibilities 

In charge of a team of IT technicians, a Director of Information Systems assesses requirements and introduces an information system in line with the strategy defined with the General Management to be used by all staff. They are also in charge of overseeing the maintenance of existing programmes. 

2. The most important tasks within your company 

A Chief Information Officer has various tasks: 

• Information systems audit to identify technology-related risks and opportunities and provide detailed reporting on the transmission circuit 
• Development and implementation of strategy and policy for an organisation’s information and telecommunications systems 
• Setting and monitoring DIS budgets and managing its outsourcing policy  
• Organising and chairing discussions with the Chief Executive and specialist teams in order to identify requirements 
• Management of teams and department structuring  
• Guiding and assisting the organisation in change management 
• Constant technology watch 

3.  Required educational background 

Bac+5 engineering or IT school (ESGI, EPITA, Télécom Paris, ENSAE Paris, etc.) qualifications or a Master’s in IT. A Director of Information Systems needs to show evidence of at least 10 years’ operational experience as an IT Developer or IT Projects Manager in an IT setting. 

4. The most important hard skills 

The role of Director of Information Systems requires a wide range of both technical and behavioural skills. They need to have a perfect understanding of technology and IT: operating systems, programming language ((Java, C, Python, C++, JavaScript, C#, PHP, .Net, R, etc.) and development tools, etc.  

5. Most important soft skills 

A good understanding of business, legal and ethical matters is also an essential requirement for managing risk, personal data (GDPR) and security, etc. In charge of one or more teams, they require good managerial skills. Strategic in approach, their excellent knowledge of an organisation’s specialist areas and the in-house applications used enable them to respond to requirements 

He or she needs to have excellent organisational skills, at the same time being both disciplined and responsive. Truly passionate about technology, a CIO has the capacity to spearhead proposals for future technology innovation opportunities.  With good interpersonal and listening skills, they are able to communicate with all stakeholders, and are even a skilled negotiator when it comes to seeing various projects through successfully. 

6. The salary offer 

A Director of Information Systems with significant experience of 10 years or more can expect a gross annual salary of between €90K and €250K with significant experience (10 years or more) in the IT sector.