In 2023, many professionals were still recovering from widespread tech layoffs caused by economic uncertainty. As a result, many started focusing on building more stable careers. This strategy is often called “career cushioning.”
Even with layoffs, demand for skilled leaders remained strong. This was especially true as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) continued to reshape the workplace. Employers increasingly valued practical skills over traditional qualifications. This made technical expertise more important than ever.
Employee well-being also remained a top priority. Flexible and hybrid work options continued to attract job seekers. At the same time, companies renewed their focus on meaningful diversity and inclusion efforts. Building a strong and inclusive workplace depends on hiring capable leaders who can guide teams through change.
These workplace trends have increased demand for leadership roles that are expected to remain valuable for years to come.
Tech & Data
Leadership roles in tech require innovation and adaptability. They also require hard skills such as software development and AI machine learning.
Technological innovation is exciting, but it also creates risks. An estimated 36 percent of organizations were already using AI. As a result, data security became an ongoing concern for organizations, employees, and customers. Many tech leadership roles in 2023 focused on protecting data.
The following leadership roles are in high demand as technology continues to evolve quickly.
CTO
Amid the excitement and uncertainty surrounding new technology, a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) was one of the most in-demand roles in 2023.
A CTO traditionally oversees a company’s IT operations, drives innovation, and helps create a positive user experience. They manage several roles across the IT department. They also communicate the organization’s technology strategy.
Common skills for a successful CTO include:
- IT
- Software development
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- AI machine learning
- Cloud
- DevOps
- Budgeting
CIO
Businesses need leaders who are prepared to manage change. As companies continue investing in digital transformation, the role of the CIO is becoming more important.
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) oversees the management and use of a company’s systems and internal software. Their goal is to ensure that technology changes create real business value.
Common skills for CIOs include:
- Communication
- Talent management and development
- Business collaboration
- Financial acumen
- Project management
- Data and analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Innovation
CISO
As more organizations rely on computer technology, keeping these systems secure is becoming increasingly important.
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a relatively new position. This leader manages a company’s cybersecurity and helps protect the business from potential attacks. These attacks can harm clients, operations, and the company’s reputation.
CISOs also:
- Establish company-wide security policies
- Develop plans for responding to data breaches
- Oversee communication about system updates
- Manage information security budgets
They work alongside company officers, business managers, cyber security teams, and IT managers.
Common skills for CISOs include:
- IT knowledge
- Communication
- Financial fluency
- The ability to work long hours
- The ability to work under pressure
Data Governance Manager
The use of AI requires companies to collect and use large amounts of data from customers and employees. This creates more opportunities for costly mistakes.
A Data Governance Manager ensures that an organization follows proper policies and procedures for storing and sharing data. This helps companies avoid compliance violations and costly regulatory fines.
Common skills for Data Governance Managers include:
- Data management
- Business process improvement
- Software development life cycle (SDLC)
Culture
Low trust levels of employees in their employers have been prominent in recent years. This is especially applicable to diversity, as employers have faced criticism surrounding performative DEI initiatives.
A solution to the trust problem is to prioritize leadership roles that have a direct connection to employees. The following are people-centered leadership roles that are rising in demand in 2023.
CHRO (or Chief People Officer)
Many employees look to HR leaders to create meaningful workplace improvements. As a result, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) plays a more important role than ever. This leader represents employee needs and communicates them to executive leadership.
Also known as the Chief People Officer in some organizations, the CHRO oversees key HR functions, including:
- Hiring
- Training
- Employee retention
- Employee engagement
In today’s workplace, CHROs are also expected to connect people, technology, and data. They also help promote collaboration across leadership teams.
Successful CHROs typically have strong skills in:
- Organizational culture
- Talent management
- Employee engagement
- Communication
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Diversity & Inclusion Manager
According to a Glassdoor survey, only 19 percent of employees trust senior leaders to understand what diversity & inclusion looks like at an organization, while 66 percent trust employees the most. Meanwhile, performative DEI initiatives have further damaged employees’ trust in senior leadership.
The Diversity & Inclusion Manager oversees the strategy and implementation of DEI initiatives.
Common skills for Diversity & Inclusion Managers include diversity and inclusion training, diversity program development, leadership development, communication, and emotional intelligence (EQ).
Employee Experience Manager
Only 32 percent of employees were engaged in 2022, signaling a need for an employee engagement rebound in 2023.
Among Harvard Business Review’s “9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2023 and Beyond” was the prioritization of hybrid flexibility for frontline workers. According to a 2022 Gartner survey, 58 percent of organizations employing frontline workers invested in improving employee experience in the past year.
The role of the Employee Experience Manager is to oversee procedures that foster employee engagement, well-being, and development. Such work may include employee development programs and mentoring programs.
Common skills for Employee Experience Managers include employee engagement, onboarding, employee relations, communication, and empathy.
Conclusion
Whether professionals are actively searching for jobs or not, staying informed about the work trends of 2023 can give them an advantage. It can also help them maintain job security during periods of economic uncertainty.
