Leadership role

Director of IT

Directs an organization's information technology, including systems, networks, data security and user support.

Reporting and scope

Typically reports to the CIO / CTO, COO or CFO / Head of Finance. Authority covers internal technology across the organization.

Core responsibilities

  • Maintains networks, devices, software and user support
  • Manages cybersecurity, backups and data privacy practice
  • Selects and supports core systems such as the donor database, accounting and client records
  • Prepares the IT budget and manages vendors and managed service providers
  • Plans technology upgrades, often seeking nonprofit pricing and grant funding
  • Supports compliance with privacy rules that apply to client or patient data

How it differs

CIO / CTO and VP of IT / Technology are the executive tiers above. Director of Engineering builds products or technical building systems. Chief Data Officer owns data strategy rather than infrastructure.

By organization size

In small organizations IT is often outsourced with an internal coordinator. Large organizations have IT departments with infrastructure, applications and security teams under a CIO.

Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Director of IT; IT Director; Director of Technology; Director of Information Technology; Director, IT; Director, Information Technology

Related roles

Roles this description compares with Director of IT, or that compare themselves with it.

CIO / CTO
The organization's senior technology executive, responsible for its information systems, data security and technology strategy.
VP of IT / Technology
Leads the systems, infrastructure and support that a nonprofit's employees and programs rely on.
Director of Engineering
Directs an engineering function, such as facilities and plant engineering in a hospital or campus or software and product engineering in a technology-focused nonprofit.
Chief Data Officer
Directs how an organization collects, governs, analyzes and uses its data.

See what this role pays

Median reported total compensation, nationally: $161,000. Based on 4,689 IRS Form 990 filings, fiscal years 2021–2025.

This median spans organizations of every budget size and sector, so it will not match a benchmark for one organization.

State pay pages for this role: California, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Virginia.

Benchmark pay for this role

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