When to hire an interim IT director?
To support the digital transition of a company and the digitization of the system, the use of a transition IT director often proves to be profitable .
The interim IT director can be recruited to set up a large-scale IT project.
- A company can be put in contact with a Transition Manager in a digital transition context. The expertise of an Interim Manager then finds its place, when the IT part of the project is particularly complex, when there are many interfaces with external services, or when the innovation project touches on several areas of activity. In this context, an Interim Manager is perfectly placed to set up, manage and measure a large-scale IT project.
- It is also common to call on an interim IT manager to ensure the stability of the IT system and strengthen data security . Thus, to secure a computer system and make staff aware of the techniques to be mastered to avoid hacking , a transition manager has its place.
- In some companies, the interim IT director is also responsible for the implementation of new tools, for example in the context of a new establishment or a rapid development of the company.
What is the scope of activity for an interim IT director?
Here are the actions implemented by a transition IT director in certain specific situations:
- The management of a new IS perimeter.
- Initially, the transition IT director analyzes the current situation: He identifies the functional requirements and the technological requirements which are entirely or partially not covered by the current IS of the client company. To this end, it analyzes the structure of the current IS and highlights the functionalities available to the company. It identifies the functional requirements not covered by the current IS. He then determines the functionalities that the company needs but that the current IS does not have.
- The IT director also has the role of preparing the transfer of the IS to the new publisher when necessary: He implements, in collaboration with the IT department in place, a new IT system. He implements and tests new features.
- It is also the responsibility of the interim IT director to ensure the reporting and analysis of the results in order to identify the relevant indicators.
- He trains employees in the new necessary tools: he defines the communication strategy in conjunction with the project team and participates in the development of the messages to be disseminated.
- Maintenance of a computer system. If called upon for complex maintenance assignments, the transition IT director must then be able to carry out a complete and precise diagnosis of the current context, needs, expectations and constraints in order to establish an action plan. He must also ensure compliance with the timing and quality of the services before transmission to the business services.
What is the profile of an Interim Manager?
The interim CIO is usually appointed by the CIO or CIO. He must also be approved by the general management to work cross-functionally with the various departments.
He must have the ambition to succeed in the transition by relying on a global approach, that is to say entirely centered on the end user.
A man of the field above all, the IT director must be able to carry out high-level functional tests and monitor the production of the system.
The skills of an interim IT director are therefore of several types:
- Technical skills of the interim IT director : he is an engineer or IT technician and has successful experience in the field. As part of the implementation of a computer system, his experience must extend to all technical aspects (infrastructure, software, network).
- Managerial skills : he must be able to lead a working group and negotiate with the various players in society. He is required to communicate with people from different backgrounds and at very varied hierarchical levels. He is also required to manage the relationship with the client and all the actors involved in the project.
- Communication skills : he must be able to communicate easily with end users, the IT department, users of client systems. His communication skills and his persuasiveness can be very useful in this context.
- Organizational competence : he must be able to clearly define priorities, communicate with the various entities involved and stay the course on the final deadline. His skills in project management are therefore fundamental.
The role of a transition management firm is to connect a company with a transition IT director who has the necessary professional and personal skills to manage the digital transition effectively.
How much does an interim CIO cost?
Several factors go into determining the cost of an interim CIO . The price varies in particular according to the duration of the mission, the size of the company and the skills of the Interim Manager delegated in the company.
The ADR ( average daily rate ) of a transition IT manager varies between 700 and 1500€ depending on these criteria.
To this base salary are often added bonuses based on objectives.
To ensure a digital transition in good conditions, to secure or modify a computer system or to ensure the maintenance of a system in place, a transition IT director has its place.
