The hardest executive role to hire right now – what the market is saying
The war for executive talent is real. Some leadership roles have a strong pipeline of candidates, while others seem almost impossible to fill. At InX, we’ve been closely monitoring hiring trends, and we wanted to hear directly from our network about the most challenging executive roles to recruit in today’s market.
We ran a poll asking: Which executive role is the hardest to hire right now? Here’s what the results showed:
CEO – 7%
CFO – 13%
CIO – 60%
CPO – 20%
Why is the CIO role the hardest to fill?
It’s no massive surprise that the majority of respondents identified the Chief Information Officer (CIO) as the most difficult role to hire. In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the responsibilities of a CIO are becoming increasingly complex. The role often overlaps with other leadership positions such as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and even Chief Digital Officer (CDO), making the definition of responsibilities blurred and ever-changing.
Key challenges in hiring CIOs
Evolving Tech Landscape – With AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics advancing at breakneck speed, CIOs need a constantly evolving skill set to keep up.
Talent Shortages – The demand for top-tier tech executives far outweighs the supply, making it difficult to secure the right candidate.
Strategic vs. Technical Balance – Companies need CIOs who are both technically proficient and strategic business leaders, a combination that’s not easy to find.
Compensation & Retention – With such high demand, top CIO candidates are commanding higher salaries and often get poached by competitors.
Supporting data on C-Suite hiring challenges
Recent data indicates that the average time to fill a vacancy in the UK is approximately 42 days, but executive-level positions—especially within technology—often extend far beyond this. Due to the increasing complexity of C-suite roles, the traditional executive search process has had to adapt significantly. Organisations are now competing not just within their industry but across sectors for leadership talent, particularly in tech-driven roles like CIO, CTO, and CISO.
A survey from leading recruitment analysts highlights that the demand for senior technology leaders has surged by over 30% in the last two years, yet the number of qualified candidates remains critically low. This supply-demand imbalance is leading to prolonged hiring processes, rising salary expectations, and an increased reliance on interim and contract solutions to bridge leadership gaps. Furthermore, organisations are becoming more flexible with their hiring criteria, often looking outside traditional industry experience to find adaptable, high-impact executives.
The impact of these hiring challenges is not just limited to extended search timelines. A prolonged vacancy in a CIO role can stall digital transformation projects, leave security vulnerabilities unaddressed, and create uncertainty at the senior leadership level. With technology being such a critical enabler of business strategy, having the right leadership in place quickly is more crucial than ever.
How InX can help
At InX, we recognise these challenges and have built a dedicated Technology team to help businesses navigate them. Working alongside our group brand, Investigo, we have a vast network of tech professionals and a deep understanding of the evolving leadership landscape. This collaboration enables us to identify and engage with exceptional candidates across various technology leadership roles, including CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs.
Our approach is both thorough and efficient. Leveraging our deep immersion in the tech market, we can assemble a shortlist of qualified candidates within a week, ensuring that our clients have access to the best talent promptly. Clients have consistently praised our team's in-depth knowledge and proactive approach. One Chief People Officer from a global software house noted our ability to grasp detailed requirements, even those not explicitly stated, leading to successful placements.
For organisations looking to hire a CIO, a more flexible and proactive approach is crucial. This could mean broadening the search criteria, considering interim leadership solutions, or offering competitive packages that go beyond salary alone. Companies should also focus on leadership development, ensuring there’s a pipeline of talent ready to step into these roles as the market tightens further.
At InX, we specialise in executive search and interim management, helping businesses secure top talent in competitive markets. Our expertise in identifying and placing high-calibre leaders means we understand the challenges of hiring CIOs and other key executives. If your organisation is facing challenges in hiring executive roles, especially within the technology domain, our team is here to support you. Contact us to discover how we can assist in securing the leadership talent essential for your business’s success.