Information for Business from Lenovo
Iain Ferguson
Contributor: Iain Ferguson
The IT talent you’ll need in 2015

Executive recruitment firm CTPartners’ Hot Jobs 2015 forecast reveals the impact digital technologies and big data are having on senior positions at large companies. CTPartners argues that executive-level roles in analytics, risk and security will be in demand to help companies maintain a competitive edge in the New Year.

Some of the roles likely to gain traction include: a digital marketing or chief creative officer who can manage the shift from print to online advertising; a chief digital officer who can develop strategies for mobile and digital platforms; an analytics practice leader who can work with business leaders to unlock insights from big data; a chief information security officer who can minimise the risk of data breaches and a digital risk officer who can develop consistent organisation-wide strategies to manage digital risks.

What does this mean for SMBs?

So what does this mean for small to medium businesses, which may not have the resources to create and appoint people to these roles? The chief executive officer or managing director should review their company’s existing management team structure and edit position descriptions as required to add these duties (perhaps while removing or reallocating other, less relevant responsibilities).

Cloud, mobility, big data and social recruitment

Outside the executive suite, the adoption of cloud computing and the implementation of mobility, big data and social strategies is driving a new era of recruitment. According to jobs firm Michael Page’s Australia 2014/15 Salary & Employment Forecast for Technology, employers are focusing on hiring mobile developers to deliver applications for tablets and smartphones. These professionals can align business strategy with technological innovation, take advantage of big data and specialise in mobile security.

Who is recruiting IT workers?

Many skilled IT workers can contribute more effectively to their employers if they reside within digitally focused business teams, instead of within the IT function. Research firm Gartner points out that the IT spending power shift from traditional IT to digital business units that are closer to the customer is having a considerable impact on IT jobs.

“The new digital startups in your business units are thirsting for data analysts, software developers and cloud vendor management staff, and they are often hiring them faster than IT,” says Peter Sondergaard, senior vice president at Gartner and global head of research.

Gartner says the hottest jobs on offer now are in the fields of mobile, user experience and data science. However, in just three years experts in smart machines, robotics, automated judgement and ethics will be in considerable demand.

The combination of digital technologies and the transformation of IT will make 2015 an exciting year for technology professionals and the companies that recruit them. For most businesses, the key to success will be identifying skills and talented people, and retaining them in the face of mounting competition.

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