by David Weldon
The CIO hiring landscape is showing signs of ample opportunities this year. Executive recruiters, consultants, and recently hired CIOs outline the skills, traits, and experiences that will help you stand out.
By all accounts, 2024 will be a good year on the CIO hiring front.
Global spending on technology is predicted to be up by virtually all forecasts. Most midsize and large organizations are spending significantly on cloud capabilities. Cybersecurity has been pegged as a top priority for funding in many industries. And nearly every company seems poised to adopt artificial intelligence in some fashion.
The result of all this tech activity is that organizations are putting great stock in their CIOs to be true strategic leaders — not just a member of the C-Suite, but one of its loudest voices.
Recruiting activity on the rise
A case in point is Thomas Licciardello, CIO and consultant at Northeast CIO’s. Having served in several CIO roles in the past, Licciardello now works in an advisory capacity, helping other organizations develop their own top IT leaders. Needless to say, he also gets his own fair share of job offers.
“2024 seems to be trending higher for CIO demand,” Licciardello says. “Sometimes I gauge that with how often I’m contacted by recruiters, and I have to say the last month it has been picking up. I have had more calls asking about my situation and openness to work in the last month than in the previous six months.”
Between the clients that he works with, and the recruiters that try to lure him directly, Licciardello says he has some clear thoughts on what organizations are looking for in a CIO hire in 2024.
“Empathy, emotional intelligence, accountability, collaboration, vision, and stability are key in my mind,” Licciardello stresses. “Other C-suite leaders are not looking for just a ‘keep the lights on supporter.’ They want someone who runs technology effectively but is also a driver and a thought partner. They want someone that can do both — keep a solid foundation to run operations, plus have an eye toward the future in order to build and transform the company. That takes balance, understanding, and partnership at all levels. These traits go a long way in achieving that.”
