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Software & systems

Head of IT (IT director)

IT directors manage the development of IT systems for their organisation and its customers.

Annual Salary

£55,000 to £140,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

38 to 40 a week

You could work: between 8am and 6pm;

3.4%
Future employment

There will be 3.4% more Head of IT (IT director) jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role you could beplanning policies and procedures; making decisions about the organisation’s priorities; assessing current and future business costs, risks and opportunities; negotiating business contracts and monitoring how these are delivered; making sure procedures meet legal requirements and technical standards; meeting regularly with the senior management team, partners and clients; keeping up to date with trends in IT; managing budgets

Working environment

You could work in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
University

You can start by doing a degree or postgraduate qualification in a subject like:

  • computing
  • information systems
  • project management
  • business management

You'd then apply to join a graduate training scheme with a company to get the experience and skills required to manage IT projects at senior level.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
For more information
Apprenticeship

You may be able to become a head of IT by doing a senior leader postgraduate degree apprenticeship.

You'll normally already be working at a senior management level to do this.

For more information
Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need at least 2 years' experience of working at senior management level in IT. You may also need further qualifications or certification with a professional body.

More information

Further information

You'll find more on careers in computing through The Chartered Institute for IT.

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With experience, you may be able to become a chief executive or chair of an organisation.

You could also work as an IT consultant or start your own business.

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need at least 2 years' experience of working at senior management level in IT. You may also need further qualifications or certification with a professional body.

You'll find more on careers in computing through The Chartered Institute for IT.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
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