Landing Your First CIO Role? Learn how Next CIO Winners Gathered to Support Their C-suite Tech Leadership Journey.

The Next CIO cohort sat with Natalie Whittlesey and James Lawson from InX to discuss how to transition into a first time C-suite role.

Next CIO workshops are designed to support the Next CIO cohort into their first CIO role. These are held throughout the year as part of the initiative. From determining career paths, applying for the role, and understanding trends in AI, the Next CIO cohort have gained a clearer understanding of what c-suite technology leadership entails and identifying which skills they need to succeed.

The workshop hosted by The IN Group delved into strategies for applying for one’s first-time CIO role and offered insights into what to expect during the transition. In today’s organizational landscape, where technology wields increasing influence, the role of the CIO has been elevated, particularly catalyzed by the exigencies of the pandemic. The State of the CIO 2024 survey published by CIO, states that  85% of CIOs are becoming a changemaker, increasingly leading business and technology initiatives. However, the transition from CIO-1 to CIO entails a significant mindset shift. With CIOs now often reporting directly to the CEO instead of the CFO, the emphasis has shifted from technical proficiency to business acumen. The State of the CIO 2024 survey confirms this, stating that 79% of heads of IT say the CIOs have a strong educational partnership with the CIO/board of directors. Throughout the workshop, participants grappled with identifying ways to effect this mindset shift as they prepare to assume the responsibilities of the CIO role.

Manoj Kumar, a member of the Next CIO cohort, led a discussion on transitioning from a specialized field to a C-suite role. Reflecting on his own journey from cyber security professional to aspiring Chief Technology Officer, Kumar remarked, “As a cyber security professional, the journey to become a Chief Technology Officer was not apparent to me. More than being prescriptive, the workshop seeded some critical aspects that we often tend to undermine as technologists. The need to capture the business scope of your role in the CV, instead of focusing on narrow specialisms. The other part that did not need emphasising was the fact that “people hire people”. The power of networking and mentoring plays an important role in getting beyond the CV into the first interview rounds. Overall, a very hands on, practical and thought-provoking session.”

A recurring question among workshop participants was, “What are my gaps?” This query spurred a discussion on individual narratives and how to effectively present one’s skills. James Lawson from The IN Group emphasized the importance of storytelling in articulating one’s journey, whether to a search consultant or a C-level executive. He advised framing the narrative with a board member’s perspective in mind, focusing on addressing their pain points and showcasing problem-solving abilities. Lawson also encouraged participants to consider non-linear career trajectories, potentially exploring sideways moves to enrich their experiences and make their stories more compelling.

James further elucidated the key components CEOs look for in CVs. He shared: “Think about how you’re going to articulate your story, whether that’s to your search consultant, or the C-level leader who is hiring. Frame it with a board member in mind. Think of their pain-points and the problems you’re going to solve. You might not take a linear route to the C-Suite. Think of it as a journey where you might need to take a sideways step to make your story more compelling. This could mean seeking opportunities that provide you with more breadth of expertise or that allow you to gain further depth of experience within a particular sector.”

Networking emerged as a pivotal piece of advice, with participants urged to prioritize building connections over relying solely on head-hunters and recruiters. Attending industry events, engaging with fellow CIOs, and reconnecting with peers were touted as essential strategies for staying abreast of industry developments and uncovering new opportunities. Participants were reminded to view setbacks as steps forward, reframing unsuccessful applications as learning experiences rather than defeats. The closing thoughts from the hosts were: “You’re winning (not losing) if you reach the shortlist, or final stage interview, but don’t get the job. See it as a step forwards, not a loss.”

The Next CIO Awards initiative supports the professional development of IT directors on their journey toward assuming CIO roles. Those interested in applying for the awards or nominating a deserving candidate can find more information here.