How to become an information technology director
Official title: Information technology directors
Also called: Director, It director, Director of it, Company director, Digital director, Product director, Managing director, Programme director, Technical director, Head of technology, Operations director, Technology director
Information technology directors plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the work and resources necessary to provide and operate IT infrastructure and services, including networks, devices, servers and software that runs on the infrastructure within an organisation. IT programme managers and directors direct and provide technical oversight to particular IT programmes of a discrete duration and/or budget.
Main tasks
- Develops in consultation with other senior management the IT strategy of the organisation
- Directs the implementation within the organisation of IT strategy, infrastructure, procurement, procedures and standards
- Develops the periodic business plan and operational budget for IT to deliver agreed service levels
- Considers the required IT staffing levels, oversees recruitment and appointment of staff and directs training policy
- Prioritises and schedules major IT projects
- Ensures that new technologies are researched and evaluated in the light of the organisation’s broad requirements
- Works with client or senior management to establish and clarify the aims, objectives and requirements of an IT programme
- Plans, directs, reviews and provides technical oversight to IT programmes, involving the co-ordination of multiple IT projects
How to become one
There are no pre-set entry requirements although candidates usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification together with substantial, relevant work experience. A variety of professional and postgraduate qualifications is available.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £91,671 a year The middle half earn £69,515 to £119,408.
- About 196,300 people work in this job now, and about 215,100 are projected by 2035. (+9.6%)
Related jobs
- Marketing, sales and advertising directors
- Financial managers and directors
- Public relations and communications directors
- Purchasing managers and directors
- Charitable organisation managers and directors
- Human resource managers and directors
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Questions people ask
How do I become an information technology director?
There are no pre-set entry requirements although candidates usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification together with substantial, relevant work experience. A variety of professional and postgraduate qualifications is available.
How much does an information technology director earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £91,671 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £69,515 to £119,408.
Is an information technology director a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 196,300 to about 215,100 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become an information technology director?
Usually. 72% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03