What Does a Chief Information Officer Do?
A chief information officer is the executive responsible for shaping and executing an organization’s technology vision. The CIO leads IT strategy, ensuring infrastructure, data, and digital systems enable the company to achieve operational goals and innovate effectively. This role is increasingly business-focused, blending strategic planning with technical oversight to drive digital transformation and long-term growth.
CIOs manage the IT department, oversee cybersecurity and compliance, and align enterprise systems with evolving business needs. They often collaborate with other executives on cross-functional initiatives, vendor negotiations, and change management efforts.
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CIO Core Responsibilities
- Define and execute the organization’s IT and digital transformation strategy
- Oversee all IT operations including infrastructure, applications, support, and security
- Lead enterprise system implementations and modernization efforts
- Manage IT budgets, procurement, and vendor relationships
- Ensure cybersecurity protocols, risk management, and compliance are in place
- Collaborate with executive leadership to align technology with business goals
- Lead innovation initiatives and assess emerging technologies
- Establish IT governance, KPIs, and service-level standards
- Build and mentor a high-performing technology leadership team
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Enterprise architecture, IT governance, and digital transformation expertise
- Deep understanding of infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management, and cloud platforms
- Experience with ERP, CRM, and other core enterprise systems
- Knowledge of compliance standards (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, SOX)
Soft skills
- Strategic leadership and cross-functional influence
- Executive communication and board presentation skills
- Change management and innovation mindset
- Talent development and team building
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or related field
- Master’s degree in business, IT management, or engineering preferred
Certifications
- Not required, but certifications such as PMP, CISSP, or CISM may be preferred depending on industry
Preferred Qualifications
- 10–15+ years of progressive IT leadership experience
- Experience leading large-scale digital or cloud transformations
- Prior budget ownership and enterprise-level vendor negotiation experience
- Cross-industry or multinational IT leadership background
National Average Salary
CIO salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) is:
$265,300
Sample Job Description Templates for CIOs
Healthcare CIO
Position Overview
A healthcare CIO leads the design and implementation of IT systems that support clinical care, patient safety, and healthcare operations. This executive ensures technology aligns with regulatory compliance and value-based care goals.
Responsibilities
- Oversee EHR systems, interoperability, and clinical informatics
- Ensure HIPAA compliance and data security protocols
- Guide digital health, telemedicine, and patient portal strategy
- Collaborate with clinical and administrative leadership
- Lead IT budgeting, staffing, and vendor selection
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with EHR platforms (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
- Knowledge of healthcare compliance (HIPAA, HITECH)
Soft skills
- Strong cross-disciplinary communication
- Change management in high-pressure environments
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in IT, healthcare admin, or related; master’s preferred
Certifications
- Not required; CHCIO or HITRUST certification is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in healthcare IT leadership
- Background in clinical systems or health tech transformation
Government CIO
Position Overview
A government CIO directs IT strategy and operations for public-sector agencies, focusing on digital service delivery, security, and cost-effective technology modernization.
Responsibilities
- Oversee digital government platforms and infrastructure
- Manage compliance with FISMA, FedRAMP, and state/federal IT standards
- Guide cybersecurity efforts across departments
- Modernize legacy systems and promote digital inclusion
- Report to elected or appointed officials on IT performance
Requirements
Hard skills
- Government procurement and regulatory expertise
- Network security and infrastructure modernization
Soft skills
- Stakeholder diplomacy and transparency
- Leadership in bureaucratic and public environments
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in IT or public administration; master’s is a plus
Certifications
- CISSP, PMP, or CGCIO preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in public-sector IT roles
- Familiarity with municipal, state, or federal tech policy
Higher Education CIO
Position Overview
A higher education CIO manages academic, administrative, and research IT infrastructure. This role ensures technology supports learning, research, and student engagement in a rapidly evolving environment.
Responsibilities
- Oversee student information systems (SIS), LMS platforms, and ERP
- Support faculty tech innovation and research computing
- Maintain cybersecurity and FERPA compliance
- Lead digital transformation for admissions, finance, and remote learning
- Collaborate with provosts, deans, and institutional leadership
Requirements
Hard skills
- Higher ed systems expertise (e.g., Banner, Canvas, Workday)
- Experience with identity access management and campus networks
Soft skills
- Consensus-building in shared governance environments
- Communication across academic and tech audiences
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s in education or IT preferred
Certifications
- Not required; EDUCAUSE or NACUBO participation is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years in academic IT leadership
- Experience supporting hybrid learning models
Financial Services CIO
Position Overview
A financial services CIO leads secure, scalable IT operations for banks, fintechs, or investment firms. This role balances risk, compliance, and performance across mission-critical systems.
Responsibilities
- Oversee IT governance, cybersecurity, and digital banking platforms
- Ensure compliance with PCI-DSS, SOX, and FINRA regulations
- Implement cloud and infrastructure resilience strategies
- Lead IT audits, risk assessments, and system upgrades
- Partner with legal and finance teams on tech-related compliance
Requirements
Hard skills
- Financial systems integration and cloud security
- Regulatory compliance and audit response
Soft skills
- Precision and high-stakes communication
- Cross-functional leadership under pressure
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in IT or finance; MBA or MSIS preferred
Certifications
- CISSP, CISM, or CISA highly preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in financial or banking IT leadership
- M&A systems integration or core banking migration experience
Manufacturing CIO
Position Overview
A manufacturing CIO oversees IT operations that support production systems, supply chain optimization, and plant automation. This role aligns digital innovation with lean and smart factory goals.
Responsibilities
- Manage ERP, MES, and plant-floor systems integration
- Lead cybersecurity efforts for OT/IT convergence
- Guide digital transformation and Industry 4.0 initiatives
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, and logistics teams
- Ensure uptime and resilience in 24/7 production environments
Requirements
Hard skills
- Manufacturing ERP (SAP, Oracle), IoT, and industrial network experience
- Cybersecurity across IT/OT environments
Soft skills
- Operational mindset with strategic agility
- Coordination across tech and engineering teams
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in IT, engineering, or supply chain; master’s preferred
Certifications
- Not required; Six Sigma, PMP, or cybersecurity credentials are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 8+ years in industrial IT leadership
- Experience with smart factory or automation initiatives
SaaS/Tech Company CIO
Position Overview
A SaaS or tech company CIO manages internal IT strategy, ensuring secure and scalable systems that support product development, DevOps, and customer delivery. They balance innovation with compliance and infrastructure growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead IT infrastructure, endpoint security, and developer tooling
- Oversee cloud architecture, access control, and CI/CD support
- Align internal systems with customer SLAs and SOC2 compliance
- Support GTM teams with secure CRM and collaboration platforms
- Collaborate with CTO/product to scale tech stack
Requirements
Hard skills
- SaaS systems and DevOps alignment
- Security frameworks like SOC2, ISO 27001, or GDPR
Soft skills
- Fast-paced problem-solving
- Culture-building in high-growth environments
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in CS, IT, or business; advanced degree is a plus
Certifications
- Not required; AWS/Azure, CISSP, or ITIL are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years in SaaS or technology company IT leadership
- Prior experience scaling infrastructure for growth-stage tech firms