Being a Vice President of Information Technology is a sought-after position in the field. But what does a VP of IT do today?
The world of IT boasts many high-paying job roles. And near the top of the pyramid would be the VP of IT. It is only a step closer to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
So, what does this executive do? If you are eyeing the position, then this article is for you.
Keep on reading to know more.
What Does a VP of IT Do?
The VP of IT is the person that will guide their company’s IT team. And they will oversee whether they have the right technologies at the right time and price.
Of course, the specific job roles will depend on the company’s needs. But there some basic ones. Here are some of their basic technical roles:
- design the whole company’s information systems
- develop software applications
- install infrastructure systems
- give IT support
Further, he will be the one to plan and make IT policies and programs, like:
- data processing
- network communications
- computer services
- information systems
- business operations
Also, being a VP of IT means he will also need to take care of high-level tasks.
Then, he will see whether their apps and techs had any improvement. And to ensure that their computer systems and networks are stable. Thus, making sure that the company is future-proof.
Other tasks of a VP of IT are to:
- outline the company’s IT best practices
- ensure goals are achieved
- do risk management
- allocate IT resources
- prioritize projects
- research new systems
- recommend software products and services
But it is not only about the technical tasks. A VP of IT will need to have some strong soft skills. And the top one among these is leadership.
Because he is a company executive, he will need to be a good leader. Also, that is because he will need to lead an IT team or two. So, he must be able to guide and train them well.
How Much Does a VP of IT Make?
Because this is a high position, the VP of IT takes home a high salary each year. In the latest report, they make around $102,000 to a whopping $204,000 a year on average.
But that is only the basic pay. Some VP of IT also enjoys bonuses, commissions, and overtime pay.
How Do You Become One?
If you are interested in the position, then you will need to start at college. After taking any IT-related course, a master’s degree is needed most of the time.
Like a master’s in information technology or computer science. But since this is an executive-level, it is best to also have a background in business aside from IT.
So, a master’s of business administration in IT or computer science would be better. After, companies will usually look for candidates with 20 years of experience.
Thus, better start your career path in the IT sector. And over the years, you will find yourself being viable to be a VP of IT.
