A strong software infrastructure is essential to running a modern organisation. You need to feel confident the technology you use is having a positive impact on your processes: from compliance requirements to efficiency.

The CIO, or Chief Information Officer, is the executive responsible for overseeing this infrastructure. Like the other members of the C-Suite, they are involved in long-term strategy implementation.

The CIO job title is similar to an IT Director or Head of IT but not quite the same. The CIO is the more senior position which usually exists in larger companies, and places more emphasis on strategy. The IT Director is typically only responsible for day-to-day decisions in the department and will report to the CIO.

We’ve put together some of the main responsibilities of the CIO.

What Are The Responsibilities of the CIO?

The CIO is one of the top executives in the organisation and so has a range of responsibilities. They work with other members of the C-Suite to develop the company’s approach to business.

Their main responsibility is overseeing developments in the company’s information systems and digital infrastructure. By translating the goals of the Board into practicable steps, they define the company approach to IT.

Their role may include:

• Overseeing IT resources
• Overseeing IT services
• Overseeing the budget
• Overseeing expansion and digital transformation
• Overseeing staff

The CIO plays a central role in planning how the company will move forward with their endeavours by analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the company’s infrastructure. They must also be aware of compliance regulation and security requirements to make sure the company remains up-to-date.

The role of the CIO has evolved as technology has become more complex. Nowadays, there is more emphasis on working with other members of the leadership team to decide which IT framework matches the goals of the company.

What Makes A Good CIO?

The most important aspect of excelling in the CIO role is having a strong understanding of technology. The CIO must be able to keep up-to-date with evolutions in the sector and have the ability to assess new solutions. They will likely have a background in technology as well as extensive experience in the industry.

Alongside this, a CIO is an important management position, and so it is essential they have the management skills of a strong leader as well as clear business acumen. This includes soft skills in delegation, prioritisation, time management and flexibility.

It is also absolutely essential that they have strong people skills. They need to be able to communicate effectively - not only with their team but also with the other members of the C-Suite and the Board. This will require two different styles of communication as Board members may not be as technologically adept as their IT colleagues.

How Can Convene Support Your CIO?

A Board Portal like Convene can improve collaboration within your company and make the CIO’s job far easier. Whatever industry you work in, our all-in-one meeting management software is designed to improve your organisation’s governance framework.

Convene is now also available fully integrated with Microsoft Teams, meaning your whole organisation can benefit from efficient meeting processes. 

From creating an agenda to establishing a strong admin trail, every step of the process should be as smooth as possible. Our comprehensive features include:

• A Document Library with role-based access to ensure your sensitive documents are protected.
• A built-in Audit Trail, so you can be sure you are compliant with all regulations.
• Integrated Video Conferencing, so you can make the switch from remote to hybrid working seamlessly, whilst still viewing your Board Pack all on one screen.
• Surveys, with the option for anonymity, so you can be sure you are aware of your employees' opinions.
• Accessibility Features, including text-to-voice, which makes us the leading accessible Board Portal.
• Fully GDPR-compliant security, including AES 256-bit encryption and ISO 27001 accreditation.

To find out more about how Convene can help your organisation, read our customer success stories or book a demo.