Are you in the IT field wanting to become a VP of Information Technology? Or you know the position but don’t know what they do?
If you are one of them, then keep on reading. Because this article will talk about what a VP of IT does and what are the skills needed to be one.
And of course, what is the education required the get the position.
VP of Information Technology: What Do They Do?
First, the VP of IT is an executive-level position. He is one step closer to becoming a CIO or Chief Information Officer.
His workweek includes a 40-hour schedule. Also, if he works beyond that, the company will give him overtime pay.
He works in his cozy office most of the time. But, not if there are conferences and meetings in another area or satellite office.
He will need to travel to that area, all expenses paid by to company. That’s because he is its representative with all tech-related meetings and forums.
As a high-level position in the organization, he handles a lot of areas. First, he needs to be a leader for the company’s IT department. Guiding its one or more IT teams.
He needs to make sure they are working and meeting the company goals. Also, he needs to train each member well to be more efficient in their roles.
But is this all?
Other Responsibilities
There’s more to a VP of ITs responsibilities. Some of these technical jobs are:
- developing customized IT project portfolios to meet business objectives
- implementation of infrastructure systems
- leading technology planning
- ensuring the stability of computer systems and networks
So, what are the skills needed to become a Vice President of Information Technology?
VP of Information Skills
To hold the position of a VP of IT, he must have a combination of 2 kinds of skills. The soft skills and of course, hard skills.
As mentioned above, he needs to lead the company’s one or more IT teams. Meaning, he needs to have excellent leadership skills.
This will help him in being an effective leader. One that will benefit all members of the IT department.
Another one is interpersonal skills. He needs to know how to build good relationships with different vendors and associates.
Also, a lot of technical skills are needed. These include but are not limited to:
- Data Management
- Strategic Project Management
- IT Management
- IT Infrastructure Security
- Cloud Computing
- Strategic Planning
So, what kind of education is needed to be one?
Education
To become a VP of IT, you need to earn a master’s degree in any IT related course. Like a Master’s in Computer Science.
But, it is much better if you have completed an MBA in any IT courses. Like an MBA in Information Technology.
This will be an advantage. Because a VP of IT’s job also involves helping the company’s business growth.
Conclusion
What a job, right? But it compensates well. A VP of IT’s salary is drooling and makes you want to be one right now. Hopefully, you now learned what they do.
