A senior executive in charge of a company’s computer systems and electronics is known as an information technology (IT) director. Although this position may not appear to be necessary to an outside observer, businesses have quickly realized that online and viral marketing are critical to remaining competitive in their respective job markets. The information technology director not only oversees the purchase of technological equipment for the sales force, such as software, in-house messaging, and portable devices, but he also leads marketing campaigns to increase the company’s profitability. Another important task for the IT director is to keep the entire company up to date on new regulations and other changes. Many analysts agree that the information technology director is one of the most important positions in any company because he or she helps employees communicate effectively.
This position is sometimes referred to as a chief information officer (CIO), which can be confusing. When the Internet first gained popularity in the 1990s, the IT director or CIO was frequently a college graduate with extensive technical training. As businesses grew more important online, companies realized that even a master’s degree in information technology was insufficient to lead a team of technicians in developing smart, practical marketing campaigns that would increase the company’s overall market share. Over time, the position has become more focused on business leaders and marketers with extensive marketing and leadership experience.
The daily experiences of an information technology director differ greatly depending on the company’s size. In a small to mid-sized company, the IT director may have direct control over every aspect of the company’s online presence, as well as make decisions on new hardware and software that will allow rapid expansion. In addition to setting up the company’s internal email system, managing web domains, and ensuring that security protocols are in place to keep information secure, those in this position are likely to be responsible for setting up the company’s internal email system. In larger companies, the information technology director may be a member of the board of directors and spend the majority of his or her time collaborating with other senior executives.
In essence, an information technology director acts as a conductor in front of a large orchestra, bringing together a large number of employees. Several common business problems can be completely avoided or infinitely exacerbated depending on the IT director’s skill set, which is why a growing number of business owners are looking for an information technology director with strong leadership and management abilities. Candidates for this position will most likely be expected to have both an IT and a business management degree as the position develops.