Chief Data Officer - Emerging leadership role

Unveiling the Untapped Power of Emerging CXO Roles: Your Next Career Frontier

Ever spotted someone you know suddenly adorned with a title like 'Chief Experience Officer', 'Chief Growth Officer', or 'Chief Culture Officer' within your company? It’s a trend that's sweeping across organizations worldwide.

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, the demand for specialized leadership has surged. Think environmental sustainability, diversity & inclusion, or the integration of cutting-edge tech – they've birthed a need for entirely new C-suite roles.

But here's the twist: these roles aren’t a dime a dozen. They demand a unique blend of skills and experiences, making them hard to fill. The solution? Get ready early, and you might just reach that envied position!

Yet, amidst these novel roles, it's natural to question their true value. Are they mere fleeting trends or serious career paths? The haze surrounding these titles might make you wonder.

What does Chief Data Officer do?

Consider the enigmatic 'Chief Data Officer' (CDO). As a data practitioner myself, I pondered if this role was my ultimate career goal. The CDO, tasked with enterprise data management, governance, and analytics, has been gaining momentum since the mid-2010s, as per Google Trends.


Figure 1. Google keyword trend from 2010 to 2023

Note. Blue: Chief Data Officer, Red: Chief Experience Officer, Yellow: Chief Culture Officer

But here's the catch: despite its rise, the CDO remains covered in ambiguity. Harvard Business Review noted its shorter-than-expected tenures due to unclear expectations and the challenge of proving immediate business impact. Nonetheless, real-world instances of this role are multiplying, compelling me to delve deeper.

In a series of upcoming articles, I’m embarking on a personal project to unravel the career trajectories of CDOs. My quest? To dissect this role using publicly available data, utilizing LinkedIn as a treasure trove of insights.

I seek answers to burning questions:

• Will the CDO emerge as an established executive role across all industries?
• Do I possess the potential to transition into this role based on my educational background and professional experiences?

Join me on this exploration as I unearth the truths behind these modern enigmas. It’s not just about job titles; it's about carving our paths in the ever-evolving realm of business leadership.

Stay tuned for an expedition into the heart of emerging CXO roles!

References

Davenport, T.H., Wang, R.Y., & Tiwari, P. (2023). 8 Strategies for Chief Data Officers to Create — and Demonstrate — Value. https://hbr.org/2023/01/8-strategies-for-chief-data-officers-to-create-and-demonstrate-value