Chief information officer (CIO) job description.
Looking for a chief information officer (CIO) or aiming to step into executive tech leadership? This CIO job description highlights responsibilities like business-wide IT strategy, board-level planning, team direction, and risk mitigation. Discover the skills needed, typical career trajectory, and what the market pays at C-suite level.
What does a chief information officer (CIO) do?
The chief information officer (CIO) is responsible for defining and delivering the overall technology strategy of a business. They sit on the executive team and ensure that IT supports operational efficiency, innovation, and business growth.
Their duties include leading digital transformation, setting budgets, managing risk, developing teams, and reporting to the CEO or board. They also oversee infrastructure, cyber security, data, and vendor ecosystems.
In startups, the CIO may also act as head of IT. In enterprises, they lead large departments and play a central role in shaping business direction through technology.
Key responsibilities of a chief information officer (CIO).
The CIO is responsible for defining and executing the organisation’s overarching technology strategy. Their responsibilities typically include:
-
Setting the vision for how technology supports growth, innovation, and risk management
-
Leading enterprise IT strategy, governance, and digital transformation
-
Managing budgets, procurement, and strategic partnerships
-
Driving alignment between business priorities and technology capabilities
-
Overseeing cyber security, data governance, and compliance
-
Partnering with C-suite leaders on cross-functional initiatives
-
Leading IT leadership teams across infrastructure, apps, and data
-
Supporting change management and cultural adoption of new systems
-
Tracking technology trends and evaluating emerging innovations
-
Representing technology decisions at board or executive level
This role blends strategic foresight, executive influence, and technical stewardship.
Skills and requirements for a chief information officer.
CIOs define enterprise-wide technology vision and lead digital transformation. Employers typically look for:
-
12+ years of experience in IT, infrastructure, or digital operations
-
Executive leadership experience overseeing people, process, and platforms
-
Ability to align IT strategy with commercial and operational priorities
-
Experience managing large-scale systems, teams, and budgets
-
Skilled in governance, compliance, and information security
-
Proven ability to deliver transformation, modernisation, or automation programmes
-
Confidence in stakeholder engagement, including board-level reporting
-
Understanding of vendor contracts, software negotiations, and innovation planning
-
Track record of driving change and improving operational resilience
Most CIOs report directly to the CEO, playing a central role in secure, efficient, and future-proof IT environments.
Average salary for a chief information officer (CIO).
In the UK, the average salary for a chief information officer (CIO) typically ranges from £90,000 to £172,000, reflecting strategic ownership of IT systems, digital transformation, and organisational tech vision.
-
Mid-level CIOs typically earn between £90,000 and £130,000
-
Senior CIOs in enterprise or global roles can earn between £131,000 and £172,000, often with bonus or equity components
-
These roles frequently involve board-level reporting and long-term transformation leadership
Top salaries are seen in FTSE companies, enterprise tech, and public sector leadership roles.
Career progression for a chief information officer.
A chief information officer (CIO) is a C-suite leader responsible for aligning technology with strategic business goals. It’s the top position in internal IT leadership. Career progression into this role often includes:
IT engineer / project manager
Develops hands-on technical skills and understanding of systems integration.
IT manager / Head of IT
Leads the function and aligns IT delivery with business objectives.
IT director
Manages budgets, vendor strategy, and cross-functional delivery of services.
Chief information officer (CIO)
Sets IT strategy, leads innovation, ensures regulatory compliance, and partners with executive peers to drive business growth.
Board member / COO / CTO
In some cases, CIOs evolve into broader digital or operational roles at enterprise level.
Cloud & Infrastructure Engineer
Network Engineer
Head of / Lead Infrastructure Engineer
salary guide
Our UK IT salary guide.
CIOs lead enterprise-wide IT strategy, infrastructure investment, and technology governance. Salary should reflect strategic oversight and board-level responsibilities.
Use our UK IT salary guide to benchmark executive IT roles, review 2024 salary data, and plan for future leadership hiring through 2026.
FAQS
Chief information officer FAQs.
The CIO defines how technology supports the business. This includes owning digital strategy, leading IT governance, overseeing cybersecurity, and aligning internal systems with long-term commercial goals. They’re often involved in executive decisions around M&A, expansion, and innovation.
A CIO is internally focused — owning infrastructure, compliance, data governance, and employee systems. A CTO often focuses on external-facing platforms or products, leading the engineering of the business's tech stack.
Enterprises, government bodies, hospitals, universities, and fast-scaling mid-market businesses undergoing digital transformation. Sectors like finance, legal, and healthcare have particularly high compliance and security needs that benefit from CIO leadership.
Typically 15+ years in technology leadership, with experience across operations, architecture, governance, and innovation. Many hold certifications in ITIL, ISO/IEC 27001, or business transformation frameworks.
Some move laterally into COO or CEO roles, especially in tech-centric organisations. Others become Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), digital transformation consultants, or sit on advisory boards for emerging tech ventures.
