A chief integration officer ensures that all systems, technologies, processes, and people within an enterprise are well-coordinated and working in sync with one another. This corporate executive position can take on the acronym “CIO,” which has always stood for “chief information officer.” Chief integration officer is an evolved version of a chief information officer.

However, instead of being responsible for the IT department alone, the chief integration officer is in charge of more business aspects. The evolution of business systems and processes, such as remote work setups, cloud migration, and the Internet of Things (IoT), brought about the need for chief integration officers.

Chief integration officers act like music conductors who help keep orchestras or choirs in sync. You may also think of them as head chefs in charge of everything kitchen related, such as ensuring there is enough equipment, staff, and raw materials.

Other interesting terms…

Read More about the “Chief Integration Officer”

While the term “chief integration officer” has been around for years, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that the need for someone to fill the job was amplified. These days, remote work setups forced enterprises to quickly adopt disruptive technologies as part of their business continuity plans. With this development, the role of CIOs also changed, turning them into the driving force behind technology integrations. Otherwise, they could get left behind.

What Does a Chief Integration Officer Do?

A chief integration officer’s job may include that of a chief information officer. Chief integration officers may manage IT staff, plan and manage the IT budget, and develop and enforce IT policies. They report to the chief executive officer (CEO) and work closely with other C-suites.

What sets a chief integration officer apart from a chief information officer, however, are the following functions that make them the leaders of an organization’s digital transformation:

Devise an Integration Strategy

Coming up with an integration plan is the chief integration officer’s primary responsibility. This task entails knowing the business goals from the inside and formulating strategies that orchestrate all the required pieces together, ranging from technologies, people, processes, and systems.

For example, in a business-to-consumer (B2C) software company, the chief integration officer could be tasked with creating an integration plan that makes the end-user experience seamless. While this is a broad goal, the chief integration officer comes up with the ideas, technologies, and staff needed to achieve this.

Implement Integration Efforts

It is also the chief integration officer’s job to implement the approved integration plan. Chief integration officers work with different departments to make integration efforts successful. Our theoretical B2C software company deals with developers, designers, security officers, and the marketing department, among others.

How Does One Become a Chief Integration Officer?

Since a chief integration officer is an evolved version of a chief information officer, the qualifications for the latter may apply.

Educational Background

The usual educational background for CIOs includes a degree in computer science, IT management, data science, networking, and the like. Other companies may require chief integration officers to have a master’s degree in IT management or business administration.

Required Skills

Some of the skills one needs to become a chief integration officer are:

  • Budget planning and management
  • Project management
  • IT staff recruitment
  • Networking and IT security framework proficiency
  • Customer engagement analytics
  • Crisis management
  • Strategic thinking

Most of all, chief integration officers must be knowledgeable about the company’s processes and goals.

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The job of a CIO continuously evolves. Those who have an aptitude for digital transformation have become chief integration officers. They earn an average of US$167,140 per year, and with the expanded job scope, they may earn more.