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IT Leadership

Head of Infrastructure

Leads the IT infrastructure function: servers, storage, network, cloud and infrastructure strategy.

Experience level: ExpertCoding level: LowTechnical difficulty: 70/100

Leads the IT infrastructure function: servers, storage, network, cloud and infrastructure strategy.

Entry

Expert

Coding

Low

Key skills

Infrastructure leadershipInfrastructure strategyExecutive leadershipStakeholder management
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Career overview

The Head of Infrastructure leads the IT infrastructure function: servers, storage, network, cloud platforms, data centres and the infrastructure strategy. They own the infrastructure roadmap, budget and the relationship with executive leadership. The role leads to IT manager, IT director or VP technology.

Main responsibilities

  • Define strategy and steer long-term direction
  • Manage an IT team and its operations
  • Own the technical roadmap of the perimeter
  • Design infrastructure solutions from business needs
  • Manage budget, scope and risks
  • Align stakeholders and report progress
  • Run steering committees and project rituals
  • Mentor junior team members and review their work
  • Coordinate the technical work of the team
  • Coordinate with software vendors and third parties
  • Prioritise work and manage competing demands
  • Structure work, resources and governance

Technical skills

Infrastructure leadership95%
Infrastructure strategy90%
Cloud & data centre strategy85%
Executive leadership90%
Financial management85%
Talent development85%
Stakeholder management90%
Provider strategy85%

Technologies

TerraformAnsibleAWSAzureGCPVMwareKubernetesPower BIExcelJiraConfluenceTeamsServiceNowSlackM365Outlook

Education level

Education requirements vary depending on the company, country and experience. Professional experience, certifications and technical skills can sometimes compensate for formal education.

High School / Bac

Less common

Bac+2 (2-year degree)

Less common

Bac+3 (Bachelor)

Less common

Bac+5 (Master / Engineering)

Common entry point

Experience & coding level

Experience level

Entry LevelJuniorIntermediateSeniorExpert

Coding level

No codingLowMediumHighVery High
Technical difficulty70%

Useful certifications

Certifications are never mandatory. They are one way among others to prove a skill.

  • ITIL 4 Strategist
  • CCSP
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect
  • TOGAF Foundation

Where can this career take you?

Multiple paths are possible. Click a role to open its profile.

Direct progression

Head of Infrastructure

Possible branches

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Where Can Your IT Career Take You?

Where can you go next?

Realistic next career moves, with compatibility and a transition roadmap for each.

Where can you go from here?

A typical progression built from real career relationships. Click any role to open its profile.

  1. Technical Activity Manager
  2. Head of Infrastructure
Soft skills
  • Strategic thinking
  • Leadership
  • Clear communication
  • Big-picture thinking
  • Decisiveness
  • Mentoring
  • Stakeholder management
Common previous careers

Roles that frequently lead into this career.

Technical Activity ManagerMedium

Overlap: 46% · Difficulty: Medium

Skills to learn: Infrastructure strategy, Cloud & data centre strategy, Talent development

View roadmap
Infrastructure ManagerHigh

Overlap: 60% · Difficulty: Medium

Skills to learn: Cloud & data centre strategy, Talent development, Provider strategy

View roadmap

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