What does a director of software development do?
A director of software development is primarily in charge of overseeing the workflow and the workforce involved in the entire software development process. Their responsibilities also include creating strategies for optimal performance, coordinating with different teams and departments to identify strengths and weaknesses, implementing training and workshop programs, and liaising with external agencies, including key clients. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach new heights.
Director of software development responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real director of software development resumes:
- Manage metadata system deploy to AWS.
- Manage software communications for EDI and HTML distribution orders.
- Manage engineering org of 3 teams , 40+ engineers including DevOps, architects and managers.
- Manage continuous build integration through Jenkins and provide training and maintenance of git, repo and gerrit repositories.
- Manage consultants, staff and set objectives in accordance with IEEE standards, ISO 9000 and PMI methodology.
- Manage and mentore software development team in developing efficient coding practices using ColdFusion, MySQL JavaScript, and PHP.
- Develop engineering infrastructure, product architecture, and process definition for creating a DevOps continuous integration and release delivery cycle.
- Define and train development standards company-wide for HTML/DHTML, JavaScript, XML and CSS.
- Lead large-scale agile and lean software development including engineering, testing, program management, DevOps and live site operations.
- Deliver web infrastructure offering applications unify access to multiple cloud service providers for digital asset consumption and sharing.
- Used ASP.Net Validation controls for server side and jQuery for client side validations.
- Develop SmartDeploy deploy tool to install MSI packages to large distribute AWS servers remotely.
- Direct the development of all websites, mobile applications, API's, and back-end systems.
- Design, code, test, roll and support ETL processes in support of various projects.
- Develop logging and debugging techniques for the software team and teach the team about root cause analysis.
Director of software development skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Directors Of Software Development are proficient in Java, Software Development, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Organizational skills, and Business skills.
We break down the percentage of Directors Of Software Development that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 19%
Directed implementation of Java based client/server Application Programming Interface.
- Software Development, 8%
Oversee the software development teams and ensure timely delivery of Hunting and Fishing Software system/enhancements/maintenance for various state government agencies.
- Cloud, 7%
Delivered web infrastructure offering applications unified access to multiple cloud service providers for digital asset consumption and sharing.
- Software Engineering, 5%
Expanded visibility by regularly speaking at international software engineering technology conferences on various topics, including process improvement and operational resiliency.
- C++, 4%
Designed and developed several c++ applications which filters and converts several files into a readable format (CSV, PDF).
- Python, 4%
Trained & mentored staff on programming (SQL, Python, SSIS), Data-Science methodology, and Data-Visualization tools.
Common skills that a director of software development uses to do their job include "java," "software development," and "cloud." You can find details on the most important director of software development responsibilities below.
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform director of software development duties is organizational skills. Directors of software development responsibilities require that "some it managers must coordinate the work of several different it departments to make the organization run efficiently." Directors of software development also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "instituted immediate organizational and operational changes to repair broken development processes. "
Business skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of directors of software development is business skills. This skill is critical to many everyday director of software development duties, as "it managers must develop and implement strategic plans to reach the goals of their organizations." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "managed and mentored team members tools and technologies included oracle, erwin, java, weblogic, business objects and pl/sql"
Leadership skills. For certain director of software development responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a director of software development rely on this skill, as "it managers must lead and motivate it teams or departments so that workers are efficient and effective." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what directors of software development do: "assume a leadership role within the architecture council to define and implement the architectural runway in support of the product roadmap. "
Analytical skills. Another common skill required for director of software development responsibilities is "analytical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of directors of software development all the time, as "it managers must analyze problems and consider and select the best ways to solve them." An excerpt from a real director of software development resume shows how this skill is central to what a director of software development does: "develop server-side java components delivering instrument and static reference data for all cash equities trading applications. "
Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on director of software development job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in director of software development duties, since "it managers must explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day director of software development responsibilities: "improved communications and coordination with product management, technical documentation, and quality assurance staffs. "
The three companies that hire the most director of software developments are:
Choose from 10+ customizable director of software development resume templates
Build a professional director of software development resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director of software development resume.
Compare different directors of software development
Director of software development vs. Systems manager
A systems manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the information technology department, evaluating staff performance, developing strategic procedures to maximize productivity, and identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenues and profitability for the company. Systems managers inspect company networks to ensure the efficiency of the technology systems, conducting regular diagnostic tests, and installing upgrades to boost optimization. A systems manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command in programming languages and system codes to maintain the security of the company's database.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between directors of software development and systems manager. For instance, director of software development responsibilities require skills such as "java," "software development," "cloud," and "software engineering." Whereas a systems manager is skilled in "customer service," "patients," "data entry," and "san." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Systems managers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $116,351. In contrast, directors of software development make the biggest average salary, $163,503, in the technology industry.On average, systems managers reach lower levels of education than directors of software development. Systems managers are 7.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Director of software development vs. Technical manager
A technical manager is responsible for maintaining the company's information systems database and analyzing technology system matters to ensure its efficiency and accuracy in supporting business operations. Technical managers perform network checks regularly to assess any possible malfunctions that might compromise the company's cybersecurity. They carefully analyze business and clients' specifications on working with systems integration, responding to end-users' concerns and inquiries. A technical manager must have excellent knowledge of the information technology systems industry, as well as a strong command on network codes to conduct adjustments and manage network infrastructure.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real director of software development resumes. While director of software development responsibilities can utilize skills like "cloud," "software engineering," "python," and "aws," technical managers use skills like "architecture," "customer service," "technical support," and "digital transformation."
Technical managers may earn a lower salary than directors of software development, but technical managers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $117,846. On the other hand, directors of software development receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $163,503.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Technical managers tend to reach lower levels of education than directors of software development. In fact, they're 5.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director of software development vs. Vice president, technology
A vice president of technology is in charge of overseeing all technological operations in a company while managing the workforce involved, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Typically, it is their responsibility to establish goals and objectives, devising strategies to enforce them. They also spearhead the development of new systems and tools that boost workforce productivity, coordinate with analysts and specialists, and resolve any issues and concerns. Furthermore, as a vice president, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from director of software development resumes include skills like "software engineering," "tcp ip," "c++," and "python," whereas a vice president, technology is more likely to list skills in "analytics," "architecture," "portfolio," and "risk management. "
Vice presidents, technology make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $156,843. On the other hand, directors of software development are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $163,503.Most vice presidents, technology achieve a similar degree level compared to directors of software development. For example, they're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director of software development vs. Information technology manager
An information technology manager is responsible for supervising tasks for the company's network and information systems operations. Information technology managers require excellent knowledge of the information systems industry, a strong command of programming languages, and software and hardware application processes. An information technology manager reviews the performance of the IT department staff, ensuring that networks and systems maintain the highest quality and efficiency, and adjusting the specific system updates as needed. Information technology managers monitor the security of the system's database and identify business opportunities to utilize all business systems to improve the company's services.
Types of director of software development
Updated January 8, 2025
