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