IT leadership
Hire IT managers, directors and project managers
IT leaders used to run the department. Now they own the AI roadmap, the budget and the vendors, and they have to explain all three to the CEO. BLS projects computer and information systems manager jobs to grow 16% by 2035. Madrone places IT managers, directors and the project and program managers who deliver the work.
How the job changed
| Role | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| IT manager | Ran the IT department | Owns the AI roadmap, the budget and the vendors |
| IT director | Reported to the CFO | Sits with leadership and decides where AI pays off |
| Project manager | Tracked the timeline | Delivers AI and cloud projects that change how people work |
| Program manager | Ran one big project | Coordinates the MSP, the vendors and the internal team |
Roles we place
- IT managers
- IT directors and heads of IT
- Interim and fractional IT leaders
- IT project managers
- Program managers
- AI program leads
Typical pay
| Role | Pay | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and information systems managers | Median $175,140 a year | BLS |
National figures. Pay varies by location and seniority; a Role Review gives you the number for your market.
Contract or hire?
Contract an interim leader while you search, or a project manager for a defined rollout. Hire the permanent leader.
How we find them
We don't post jobs. We map who is doing this work today, reach out with a message written for each person, and draw on a database we've built since 2007. A recruiter screens every candidate and verifies identity and work history before you see them. Most roles are filled in one to three weeks.
Sources: BLS employment projections, Aug 2026, BLS Occupational Outlook: computer and information systems managers.
Questions
Our first IT leader: manager or director?
If they'll still be hands-on, a manager. If they'll manage vendors and a budget, a director.
Can we hire someone on an interim basis?
Yes. An interim IT leader on contract keeps things moving while you find the right permanent hire.