VP Engineering → CIO

A realistic transition from VP Engineering to CIO: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 50%. Difficulty: Hard.

Difficulty: Hard6 stepsDuration: 16 to 20 monthsOverlap: 50%

Transition from VP Engineering to CIO.

Transferable skills

  • IT leadership
  • Strategy
  • Stakeholder management
  • Budget

Skills to learn

  • Governance
  • Digital transformation
  • Team development
  • Mentoring

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your VP Engineering experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • IT leadership
    • Strategy
    • Stakeholder management
    • Budget

    Map transferable skills — IT leadership, Strategy, Stakeholder management — against what a CIO needs.

  2. 2. Learn the core of the CIO role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Governance
    • Digital transformation

    Technologies

    ServiceNowAWSAzure

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Governance, Digital transformation.

  3. 3. Master advanced CIO skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Team development
    • Mentoring

    Technologies

    GCPITILTableau

    Handle the advanced topics: Team development, Mentoring.

  4. 4. Get productive with the CIO toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    ServiceNowAWSAzureGCPITILTableau

    Be hands-on with ServiceNow, AWS, Azure and the rest of the target stack.

  5. 5. Practise CIO work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on CIO tasks at work.

  6. 6. Get certified and position yourself as a CIO

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    CISMCGEITTOGAF 9 Certified

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around CIO, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes