Now your business is compliant with all of the necessary IT regulations and perhaps even has an MSP (managed service provider), the next thing to seriously consider is whether you need an IT director. A figurehead, a person with whom the IT buck stops.
If the answer is yes, have you considered the benefits of outsourcing this role?
What is an IT director?
An IT Director has many responsibilities within their role. However, it’s widely agreed their main role is to ensure all the organisation’s technology needs are sufficiently met. They’re responsible for initially undertaking an assessment of a business’s technology needs and then suggesting bespoke recommendations based on this. These may include potential upgrades to systems and processes. Through this, they also provide vital strategic leadership on multiple projects, often directing specific teams and individuals towards positive completions, thus fulfilling the business goals effectively.
The difference between an IT manager and an IT director
It’s often easily confusing, the difference between a manager and a director, as there can be certain crossovers within both roles. However, when it comes to IT, there is a distinct difference. IT manager generally concerns themselves with the day-to-day operations of the business and often take their direction from the director themselves. An IT director is the manager of managers.
Directors use various sources of information before they commit to any decisions, such as budgeting, organizational data, and staffing information to determine how the business runs best. They’re focused largely on creating strategies to ensure that a business can optimally meet its goals.
Benefits of recruiting an IT Director
The benefits of recruiting an IT Director really are endless to you and your business, especially as it’s a very specialised role. Depending on your budget, you would need to decide whether this role is to be filled on a part-time, or full-time basis. The amount of progress your business needs to make in relation to its IT will also help determine the priority. The role of IT Director involves the following responsibilities –
*Delegation of huge responsibilities, such as over-seeing existing technology operations and evaluating them in line with your business’ overall long-term business aims, objectives and goals
*Working with other company executives to develop and implement an IT roadmap, thus sharing expertise
* Establishing and building relationships with existing and potential new technology partners
*Overseeing the role of IT in company-wide projects (where applicable)
*Expertly managing budgets and IT expenditure with a critical, expert eye
*Maintaining a real-time, active knowledge of relevant fast-moving technology developments in the sector
*Identifying the business requirements of internal departments to determine their technology needs
*Distinguishing the need for necessary investment in upgrades to existing systems
*Intrinsically supporting a whole company approach (not just a solely technical approach) to online security and data protection (cloud systems, etc)
IT Directors and the benefits of outsourcing this role
Similar to our article based around outsourcing IT Managed Services, it really could prove worthwhile for your business to outsource the role of IT Director to a specialist in this field.
Expertise and knowledge
First and foremost, you’d be recruiting someone with a vast amount of expertise and knowledge, who could then hit the ground running when faced with the task of transforming your IT infrastructure. This in turn would result in significant cost savings, as it’s likely to enhance your overall business’ success, in a much shorter period of time. Rather than employing a team of outsourced employees to work on many different elements within your IT department, an IT Director would be responsible for much more as a sole person, meaning one wage expense instead.
Less risk and disruption.
Outsourcing also means you are more likely to employ the ‘right person for the role’, rather than wasting business time and money on recruiting because of high staff turnover. Therefore, it reduces risk and disruption within your business and workforce.
Real accountability via a partnership approach
As you’re outsourcing the role to a third-party partner, they are fully compliant with the latest regulations and work for you via contracted commitments, which makes their role clear and transparent from the start. They are then more dedicated to their role, working in line with the business aims and goals. A strong partnership between you and them is then formed, which cements your working relationship going forward.
Not sure if you need an IT Director?
As with any decision in business, it’s really important you feel confident in whether or not you require an IT Director and if so, how you go about recruiting or outsourcing one. Here at Evolution Managed IT Services, we’re on hand to advise and help with all things Managed IT Services and IT Consultancy , should you have any further questions.
If your company is needing strategic guidance on how to utilise technology in line with achieving your business goals and needs help managing digital transformations from conception to implementation then perhaps it’s time to really consider hiring an IT Director.
To learn more about how an IT Director could support your business, get in touch today. You’re always more than welcome to book a consultation with one of our friendly team members today.