The CIA "is tasked with gathering, processing and analyzing national security information from around the world, primarily through the use of human intelligence

The CIA "is tasked with gathering, processing and analyzing national security information from around the world, primarily through the use of human intelligence (HUMINT)" The director is presumably in charge of executing specific missions and a long term vision for human spying. She/he does this by directing people who manage people who manage people (etc.). I don't think a technical/engineering background is presumed or necessary for such a role. That said, an understanding of the basic structures and failure modes of information security in the digital world as it pertains to HUMINT does seem highly relevant (and necessary) for crafting and executing a modern vision/mission.