Get the digital transformation eBook: Teaching an elephant to dance. You need to collaborate and work together in different ways. The CPO and CTO share the same goal as most executives do — to build and deliver the best possible outcomes for customers and for the company. A CTO should have the business knowledge necessary to align technology-related decisions with the organization's goals. The CIO, or chief information officer, emerged as a job title in the 1980’s: This highly technical person would oversee the information technology department’s resources and staff. More role confusion too. In this role, a CTO will act as a liaison between the customer and the business by taking on the responsibilities of customer relations, getting a grasp on the target market and helping deliver IT projects to market. Companies focusing on scientific and electronic products employ CTOs who are responsible for the oversight of intellectual property and have backgrounds in the industry. The position is usually at the executive level and most often reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Understanding the Role of the Chief Technology Officer. “We’ve seen a swing back towards IT as decision-makers as digital transformation starts to mature,” says Patrick Heffernan, senior analyst at Technology Business Research. At other firms, the CTO focuses more on external products, especially in technology companies. A Chief Information Officer (CIO) manages a company's IT and technology needs. I trust you. Red Hat and the Red Hat logo are trademarks of Red Hat, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. Techopedia explains Chief Information Officer (CIO) Use this Chief Technology Officer (CTO) job description template to save time, attract qualified candidates and hire the best employees. While research and development have been a component of businesses for many years, the rise of information technology (IT) and computers has increased the importance of the chief technology officer. A chief information officer (CIO) is the corporate executive in charge of information technology (IT) strategy and implementation. A Chief Information Officer (CIO) is the most senior technology executive inside an organisation. ]. In 2009, the White House announced the appointment of the country's very first CTO, which is a position currently held by Michael Kratsios. • Implements the business’s technical strategy, but doesn’t set it. “CIOs that do lead the digital transformation charge are asked to wear multiple hats – that of business strategist and change leader,” says Ankur Laroia, managing director at BDO Houston. “Whether you’re in the midst of a transformation or operating in daily maintenance mode, culture change is the most difficult part of any technology leader’s job. Chief Information Technology Officer: Qualifications & Education Requirements. “Here at Aptean, both CIO and CTO roles are tasked to be technology thought brokers in the enterprise, helping to figure out how to leverage technology to enable the business. Executives and other leaders – collectively known as upper management – hold the primary decision-making power in a company. A chief information officer (CIO) previously performed dual roles as CIO and chief technology officer (CTO). Some people hold the CTO title without much difference in responsibility from a CIO. Large companies with large budgets have either a CTO, CIO, or both. The CIO, or chief information officer, emerged as a job title in the 1980’s: This highly technical person would oversee the information technology department’s resources and staff. Also known as a chief technical officer, this individual examines the short- and long-term needs of an organization and utilizes capital to make investments designed to help the organization reach its objectives. (Read also: Goodbye soft skills, hello core skills: Why IT must rebrand this critical competency.). Focus on expectations in these three areas now - to ensure  IT shines at a critical moment. A CTO is very similar to a chief information officer. To become innovative and stay competitive, CTOs must keep abreast of big data, streaming analytics, and cloud technology. Chief Information Officers (CIOs) play a critical role managing internal IT systems and design strategies to ensure that technology adds the maximum value to a company. rulesinfographicimage.png Of course, most CIO compensation packages come in much higher than that, including stock, bonuses, and other perks. The average CIO earns additional cash compensation of $38,863 a year, according to Glassdoor's data. “As their teams become more inclusive and collaborative, leaders must shift their strategies and tactics to harness the energy this new style of work generates,” Kelly says. According to the Robert Half Technology 2020 salary guide, which rates top IT jobs by salary for 2020 (ranked by national median salary) big data engineer checks in at number one, at $163,250. Like The Enterprisers Project on Facebook. Chief Information Officer (CIO) Interview Questions. As an executive member of their organisation, CTOs oversee the entire information technology department and directly manage senior managers within the IT … On the emerging technology front, a top CIO concern is how to apply AI and machine learning in sensible and ethical ways. In 2009, the White House announced the appointment of the country's very first CTO, whose main focus was to use technology to help stimulate job creation, to improve healthcare and security systems, and to increase broadband access. “Fast-moving, cross-functional teams of people from different parts of the organization experiment and innovate together to deliver new products and capabilities at an unprecedented pace. “Successful CIOs have become business leaders of digital business units or have empowered IT organizations to create the digital backbone to accelerate the move to hybrid cloud environments and new operating models,” says Steve Hall, partner and president at technology research and advisory firm ISG. He provides the strategic vision and leadership for the development and implementation of information technology initiatives, ensuring that they are aligned with … “Technology leadership is different today than it was just five years ago. What is a CIO?What is the role of a CIO?How is the CIO role evolving in 2020?What are key leadership skills for CIOs?What is the difference between a CTO and a CIO?What does a CIO do?Who does a CIO report to?What does a CIO earn? In the CTO role, my customers are external. Additionally, the CTO will have a close relationship with the CEO and other members of the company's senior management. This Chief Technology Officer (CTO) job description template includes the list of most important Chief Technology Officer (CTO)'s duties and responsibilities.It is customizable and ready to post to job boards. As previously noted, many CIOs play a central role in digital transformation. Read also: 4 styles of decision-making: A leader’s guide. The chief information officer (CIO) has an information technology (IT) background and manages an organization’s technology and IT interdepartmental manager communications. Does a CIO need a technical degree anymore? To achieve both objectives, IT and HR will begin to work together more closely to create a common framework and language, as well as a joint plan.”. Thinking on your organization's digital transformation goals for 2021? A Chief Information Officer is a problem solver who works with existing technologies, while a Chief Technology Officer is a developer who is seeking to create new technologies. Notes Jay Ferro, CIO, Quikrete: “I work hard to be a leader who can say, ‘You’re here for a reason. 2. The CTO title has been in use for over 10 years, but there is still confusion about the role and how it differs from the CIO. As of early 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job openings for CTOs are expected to increase between 2012 and 2022. The CIO is also responsible for strategizing and facilitating improvement within the organization. A data protection officer (DPO) is a position within a corporation that acts as an independent advocate for the proper care and use of customer’s information. This article explains the qualifications and education requirements for a chief information technology officer. Chief technology officers are important executives at consumer goods manufacturers, IT firms, and private research organizations. What Is a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)? Every CIO I know is emphasizing the essential value of leadership, communication, agility, and the other non-technical competencies,” notes Roberts. Successful CIOs have become business leaders of digital business units or have empowered IT to create a digital backbone. But today, CEOs charge CIOs with working on cross-functional efforts that demand collaboration and a broader leadership skill set, including strong emotional intelligence. The chief security officer is the executive in charge of the security of personnel, data, and physical assets. But again, these problems also call on the CIO’s people skills. Read also: 7 valuable certifications for IT leaders. ], “In short,” Kelly adds, “today’s IT leaders need to be culturally competent as much as they are technically competent.”Â, Communication skills and the ability to give autonomy go a long way in these change-filled environments. ]. But that doesn’t mean they’re the IT director. Rahul Singh, managing director with management consultancy Pace Harmon, describes the CIO as evolving into what he calls a “Chief Digital Innovation Officer,” helping the company grow and become a data-driven enterprise. The CTO usually reports directly to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the firm. Chief technology officers (CTO) are executive-level employees who oversee a company or organization’s technical development and implementation of new technologies. Technology is focusing more on integrating applications, processes, and data. What Is a Chief Information Technology Officer? In the CIO role, I focused more on optimizing, streamlining, and allowing employees to be more productive with tools to get their job done more quickly and easily.”, Sven Gerjets is EVP and chief technology officer at toymaker Mattel. In military organisations, the CIO reports to the commanding officer. A CTO is the highest technology executive position within a company and leads the technology or engineering department. With so much riding on effective technology strategies in the digital age, the chief information officer (CIO) is a cornerstone of corporate success. The average CIO makes $170,726 in annual base pay, according to Glassdoor data. While CIOs used to make their careers on their tech credentials, today’s most successful CIOs stand out for other skills, including communication, building bridges between groups, and empathy – all-important at times of big cultural change. Giving up control and embracing failure are key, Stoddard says. Rapid advancements in business solutions and growth in mobile device usage and cloud computing usage have also contributed to the expected increase in job openings. This is also often a signal to job-hunting CIOs of a progressive organization, recruiters say. Unlike the chief information officer (CIO), the role of chief technology officer (CTO) does not have a standard definition. Project management involves planning and organization of a company's resources to move a specific task, event, or duty toward completion. This typically involves both building a digital platform and adjusting the organization’s operating model. The CIO’s responsibility for digital transformation, along with the rise of DevOps and agile styles of work, means the CIO works in a more cross-functional way than ever before, as noted in our HBR Analytics Services report, Transformation Masters: The New Rules of CIO Leadership. “As it becomes increasingly clear that even the most CX-focused or operations-centric projects still come back to IT for change management, implementation, and sustainment, CIOs have re-assumed their place as the key decision-makers – and therefore the target, again, for IT services vendors and consultancies.”. In large corporations, the chief technology officer, or CTO, is directly below the CIO, and the IT project leader answers directly to the CTO. He or she develops policies and procedures and uses technology to enhance products and services that focus on external customers. The continued growth of business conducted over information systems is the main cause of employment growth in this role. He predicts CIOs will shape more HR issues in 2020. “Like the CIO, the CHRO is also stepping into a more strategic role, and as a result, the CIO and CHRO are partnering more to make the employee experience as great as the customer experience,” Bedi says. For example, Jenny Peng told us about her transition from CIO to CTO at Aptean. C-Suite is a widely-used informal term used to refer collectively to a corporation's most important senior executives—as in CEO, CFO, and COO. However, in some cases, a different reporting relationship than CIO/CEO may fit. Keep me informed as needed, but go for it.’, “I know what it’s like to work for leaders like this and I make sure to pass the same privilege and respect on to everyone on my team.”, [ Read also: 10 TED talks to sharpen your communication skills and Top soft skills for IT leaders and how to master them. But in the decades that followed, CIOs themselves rewrote the perception of their role, coming out of the back office to become true strategic business partners, working alongside their C-suite peers. You are responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary permission to reuse any work on this site. “While the number of CIOs reporting to C-suite executives other than the CEO has been declining through the years, Forrester found that almost half still do. Determines an organization's long-term systems needs and any hardware acquisitions needed … The Enterprisers Project is an online publication and community focused on connecting CIOs and senior IT leaders with the "who, what, and how" of IT-driven business innovation. “Data by itself won’t be used usefully without data engagement. The CTO role became popular as the information technology (IT) industry grew, but it is also used in other industries such as e-commerce, health care, telecommunications, and government. Visit PayScale to research chief information officer (cio) salaries by city, experience, skill, employer and more. To get on track for one of these positions, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in management information systems or computer science with a … So, it is worth taking a look at the difference between two related but distinct positions: Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). That’s a far cry from a running joke In the early 2000’s: that CIO stood for “career is over.” Today, the CIO in many organizations leads the execution of digital transformation initiatives. Required reading: > Learn about the history of the CIO role and how it has evolved since the mid-1980s. How does this compare to other IT salaries? A recent study by Deloitte’s U.S. CIO Program found that just over half (51 percent) of CIOs in the U.S. were reporting to the chief executive (as were 40 percent of global CIOs overall). The path to becoming a chief technology officer How to follow a career path in the technology industry and become a chief technology officer, the holy grail of tech jobs On average it will take you 24 years from leaving higher education to becoming CTO. Technology has become intertwined with business, and a chief technology officer's primary role is to make sure tech strategy aligns with a company's overall goals. Then there’s the matter of how to make use of – and protect – ever-growing pools of data. “This was truly a cross-functional effort, in which everyone from finance to product teams came together to lay out the vision. It’s always challenging when you have to get everyone on board with definitions, KPIs, governance, and bring together the right level of insight. The opinions expressed on this website are those of each author, not of the author's employer or of Red Hat. Laurianne McLaughlin is Content Director for The Enterprisers Project, delivering analysis and advice for the IT leadership community. If an idea didn’t pan out in the way we expected it to, we learned from it and applied those lessons to new ideas.”. Instead of improving the bottom line (increasing profitability), the focus is on developing strategies to increase the company’s top-line revenue,” she says. What is the difference between a CTO and a CIO? ]. Its Predictions 2020: CIO report went further, suggesting that companies that failed to change their CIO reporting structure to reflect the business-critical nature of the role would struggle to hit their growth targets,” as we recently reported. When hiring a CIO, look for experienced candidates with a solid technical background and the ability to solve complex problems. Today, CEOs look to the CIO to drive innovation and revenue-generating ideas throughout the business. Many CIOs say a direct reporting relationship to the CEO works best. The average salary for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) is $165,239. This CTO will also look at how to further implement new technologies within the company to ensure its success. Chief information technology officer (CITO) is a combination role of chief information officer and chief technology officer. This CTO may oversee the company's data, security, maintenance and the network of a company, and may implement (but not necessarily set) the company's technical strategy. ]. A chief technology officer is a top corporate executive who makes decisions regarding the development and application of new technologies. Let’s explore how to prepare - and look ahead at the future of the CIO role: Stay on top of the latest thoughts, strategies and insights from enterprising peers. “CIOs will need to sharpen their business skills and build relationships with the CEOs and GMs so they can collaborate as strategic partners.”, Change management skills continue to gain importance. Whether a company has a CIO, a chief technology officer (CTO), or both depends on company culture. • Charged with overseeing the data, security, maintenance and network for a company. Chief Information Technology Officer establishes and directs the strategic long-term goals, policies and procedures for an information technology department. Let's examine five automation issues that matter post-Kubernetes rollout – and advice for teams grappling with them. “They need to perfect their methods for drawing multiple parties into a dialog and ensuring everyone feels heard. 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