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IT Leadership

VP Technology

Leads technology strategy and execution across the IT function at VP level.

Experience level: ExpertCoding level: MediumTechnical difficulty: 60/100

Leads technology strategy and execution across the IT function at VP level.

Entry

Expert

Coding

Medium

Key skills

Technology leadershipStrategyStakeholder managementBudget

Common progression

  1. IT Director
  2. VP Technology
  3. CTO
  4. CIO
  5. CEO
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Career overview

The VP Technology leads technology strategy and execution across the IT function: architecture, platforms, innovation and alignment with business strategy. They steer technology choices at company level. The role leads to CTO, CIO or CEO.

Main responsibilities

  • Define strategy and steer long-term direction
  • Direct an IT department and its strategy
  • Coordinate the technical work of the team
  • Mentor junior team members and review their work
  • Manage budget, scope and risks
  • Align stakeholders and report progress
  • Prioritise work and manage competing demands
  • Structure work, resources and governance
  • Ensure delivery of products and programs
  • Keep technical documentation up to date

Technical skills

Technology leadership95%
Strategy92%
Architecture & platforms85%
Innovation85%
Stakeholder management92%
Budget88%
Team development85%
Mentoring82%

Technologies

Power BIExcelPlanviewJiraConfluenceTeamsSharePointPowerPointM365AWSAzureGCPKubernetesTerraformServiceNowSlackNotionJira Align

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 difficulty60%

Useful certifications

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

  • TOGAF 9 Certified
  • SAFe Program Consultant
  • CISM

Where can this career take you?

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

Direct progression

VP TechnologyCTO

Possible branches

CIOCEO
Where Can Your IT Career Take You?

Where can you go next?

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

CTOHigh

Overlap: 97% · Difficulty: Easy

View roadmap
CIOHigh

Overlap: 73% · Difficulty: Medium

Skills to learn: Governance, Digital transformation

View roadmap

Where can you go from here?

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

  1. IT Director
  2. VP Technology
  3. CTO
  4. CIO
  5. CEO
Soft skills
  • Strategic thinking
  • Leadership
  • Clear communication
  • Stakeholder management
  • Decisiveness
  • Mentoring
  • Big-picture thinking
Common previous careers

Roles that frequently lead into this career.

IT DirectorHigh

Overlap: 76% · Difficulty: Easy

Skills to learn: Architecture & platforms, Innovation

View roadmap
VP EngineeringMedium

Overlap: 52% · Difficulty: Easy

Skills to learn: Architecture & platforms, Innovation, Team development

View roadmap
Portfolio ManagerLow

Overlap: 13% · Difficulty: Hard

Skills to learn: Technology leadership, Strategy, Architecture & platforms

View roadmap
Head of PMOMedium

Overlap: 50% · Difficulty: Hard

Skills to learn: Architecture & platforms, Innovation, Budget

View roadmap
Senior Product ManagerMedium

Overlap: 38% · Difficulty: Hard

Skills to learn: Architecture & platforms, Innovation, Budget

View roadmap
Head of ProductMedium

Overlap: 51% · Difficulty: Medium

Skills to learn: Architecture & platforms, Innovation, Budget

View roadmap

Related resources

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Next step

The path to CTO

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A documented transition from this role to the next.

VP TechnologyCTO

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