Onboarding as a Director Report

Things to consider: What size is your company? How big is this Director's org? Is the arrangement temporary or permanent? Are you going to be the most senior engineer in their org? Is the Director hands-on or mostly focussed on business strategy and execution?

The following answer is general; I'll be happy to refine it based on your specific situation.

Yes, a fair bit changes!

A Director will have lot less time for you in many ways: to onboard you, to assign you work, to keep tabs on what and how you're doing, and to give you advice and advocate for you. At the same time, their view of the org and problems to be solved with me much larger than a typical Engineering Manager or Senior EM.

So, you'll need to deliver value more independently. You'll need to communicate differently—in a way they can understand and get interested in. There's a lot to say here, but communicating the what and why would be much more important than the how.

The Director will have a lot less time to "listen" and troubleshoot things for you. So, any interpersonal issues, stalled projects, differences in opinions, etc. will need to be handled by you. Bring the problems + how you solved them to the Director, and not just the problems.

Build a support system aside from him but within the company that can act as a sounding board and guide you, if needed.

If you're going to be the only most senior engineer under them or one of the most senior engineers, consider it fair game that they will look to you to solve technical challenges and for advice on technical matters in their entire org. This usually comes with rapid context switching, exposure to technical breadth, and interpersonal skills to advocate for the solutions you deem right—now we're getting into Staff territory without the official title plus a lot of influence without authority.

I don't mean to scare you because this is everything that can happen but won't necessarily happen all at once or ever. :) I'd meet with them earnestly to clarify their expectations of you along the lines mentioned in my answer.

Remember, these transitions can open up huge opportunities for you, esp. since you're already senior! Good luck, and feel free to ask follow up questions. I am excited at this expansion of your horizon!

Interested in knowing the same, I’m also going to be transitioning into this similar situation in 3 months