According to a recent McKinsey report, the number of analytics skills job opening in the US has grown exceptionally. One source suggested it had grown from 2.3 million in 2015 to 2.9 million this year. This exponential growth has proved that data has become a fundamental aspect to how an organisation understands, interacts and works with their customers. It has also led our clients to look for candidates with a combination of strong data backgrounds and first-class commercial acumen. These clients understand that data can unearth operational improvement that delivers a real impact.
Searches for analytics enabled Chief Executive Officers, Chief Data Officers, Directors of IT, Human Resources Managers, Financial Managers and Marketing Managers are becoming more common. Especially as it increasingly understood that an application of analytics enabled skills in these roles will gain many marginal advantages across the business. To find these candidates, we have seen client’s activity looking at talent out of their sector who can apply their knowledge on data to new challenges. The searches which we have completed are prioritising deep digital and data understating far above sector knowledge.
Given this ever-changing climate, the need to attract and retain ‘next generation leaders’ is paramount. Many of our clients have approached Norman Broadbent Solutions to help with a number of challenges in this arena from developing their bespoke attraction strategies, to building an ongoing talent pipeline, or making their business “millennial friendly” for their next generation leaders.
As the digital agenda grows around all industries and sectors (as well as the improvements in data processing, the role out of automation and cloud computing) its importance will only grow. As it does, so will the need for individuals who can understand, develop, deploy and improve these technologies. These skillsets are being targeted by a huge variety of different organisations and sectors, all offering exciting opportunities. These have seen the use of headhunting and targeted methodology becoming more important, as firms look to compete for this talent in the market.
If you would like to hear more about this topic or find out how we can help you, please do not hesitate to contact James Wyman, Director of our Technology Practice at Norman Broadbent Solutions on +44 (0) 207 484 0075 or via
james.wyman@normanbroadbentsolutions.com