Should I be a CITO (Chief Information and Technology Officer)?

Meet Michael. He's a CITO (Chief Information and Technology Officer) at an IT firm.

What’s the first thing you can guess about his role? Probably this:

Aha! Don’t be misled by the "information and technology" part of his role!

The CITO role goes way beyond just IT and includes much more than working on a computer all day long.

• Does an engineer, after years of experience, become a CITO? No! A CITO is not an engineering or a programming role. It’s not mandatory to have coding skills to become a CITO.

• In fact, a CITO works with business as well as operations too! They ensure that the technology strategy of a company matches its business strategy.

  

CITO is a combined role of Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer. Therefore, it's referred to as Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO).

Refer to this video to understand the difference between the two.

• Developing a technology roadmap for the digital transformation of a company

• Leading digital transformation initiatives to successful implementation

• Establishing long-term IT goals, policies, and procedures

• Giving technical guidance on high-priority projects

• Imparting business acumen to the IT teams developing marketable technology

• Employing technical strategy to improve customer-facing, end products

• Engaging in financial planning to ensure cost-effective IT operations

• A technical degree (such as Bachelor of Computer Technology, Informatics), or

• A business degree (such as BBA, MBA), or

• A combination of both (such as a diploma in IT Management)

• Vision and technology leadership, including the ability to give clear directions to your team.

• Ability to influence and collaborate, including the ability to persuade others.

• Communication skills, including oral and presentation skills.

• Business and financial acumen, including a strong understanding of market dynamics.

• Project management skills, including risk and change management.

Job opportunities are available in many different sectors like:

• IT

• E-Commerce

• Banking

• Telecommunication

• Aviation

• Mining

And would they compensate me well?

The average CITO salary in the United States is $292,080 as of February 25, 2022, but the range typically falls between $241,690 and $354,710. 

The median annual CITO salary in Winnipeg, Canada is C$244,199, as of February 25, 2022, with a range usually between C$204,752-C$299,891.

If being a CITO resonates with you: