What are the most in-demand roles in startups and tech companies?

2023 was the year in which tech companies and startups confirmed and consolidated their growth and health status. Indeed, the beautiful country has shown that it is keeping up with the most important European and international ones on the tech front, proving to be an increasingly relevant tech hub. This development brings with it a growing demand for highly specialized professionals. This is also borne out to us by the data; in fact, thanks to a 15 percent to 25 percent increase in job opportunities in the IT, Digital, Engineering and Infrastructure sectors, 2024 is shaping up to be a year of significant development for those working in the world of technology.

Once this necessary premise is made, we can go into more detail and understand what the Job Titles of the moment are and try to make a list of those that will be the most in demand in 2024. The tech industry is characterized by great (and healthy) competition, so attracting and retaining top talent will require a reconsideration of selection processes and the long-term value proposition. Corporate culture itself will be an increasingly relevant element in influencing employee perception and well-being.
Taking a look at the vacancies posted on Linkedin, we note that the skills required for profiles in tech companies can vary depending on the specificity of the role and the business sector. However, certain hard skills and soft skills are often sought across many roles in the tech sector. Here is an overview most in-demand characteristics, starting with the specific, so-called hard skills:
Programming and Software Development
- Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, etc.
- Ability to develop software, web or mobile applications.
System and Network Management
- Skills in operating system administration (Linux, Windows).
- Knowledge of networks, computer security and firewall management.
Data Science and Data Analysis
- Experience in using tools and languages such as R, Python (with libraries such as Pandas and NumPy).
- Skills in statistical analysis and data interpretation.
Cloud Computing
- Knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.
- Ability to implement and manage cloud solutions.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Understanding of basic principles of AI and ML.
- Familiarity with frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch.
Front-end and Back-end Development
- Knowledge of front-end frameworks and libraries such as React, Angular, Vue.js.
- Skills in back-end development with technologies such as Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails.
Cybersecurity
- Knowledge of cyber threats and defense strategies.
- Ability to implement security measures and manage incidents.

While among soft skills, the most recurring ones appear to be the skills of:
Problem Solving, Effective Communication, Teamwork, Adaptability, Critical Thinking and Leadership. These skills, both hard and soft, form the framework of characteristics that companies look for in candidates, especially those who are more tech-savvy. The combination of solid technical skills and interpersonal skills can make a candidate a valuable asset in the dynamic environment of tech companies.

The changing business landscape, driven by artificial intelligence, data, cybersecurity, and privacy, has generated new managerial positions. Among these, those that have grown the most in the past year are:
CAIO - Chief AI Officer: is responsible for the ethical adoption of artificial intelligence, linking the potential of AI to business needs.
CSO - Chief Security Officer: is the figure responsible for cyber and physical security. In collaboration with CIO and CTO, he protects corporate assets.
CNO - Chief Networking Officer: optimizes the value of business relationships, focusing on strategic management of relational capital.
CDO - Chief Data Officer: manages, protects and uses corporate data, ensuring compliance with privacy laws.
CPO - Chief Privacy Officer: ensures that business practices are in line with privacy laws and ethical treatment of customer data.
CXO - Chief Experience Officer: creates a consistent vision for the customer and user experience across all business touchpoints.

In addition to these "new" roles, there are two figures whose boundaries are often not clear, the CIO and the CTO. In this article we also want to try to provide some clarity starting with the definition of the roles and their respective responsibilities. The responsibilities of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) and a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) reflect their different focus on internal and emerging technologies. While the CIO manages technology internally, the CTO deals with emerging technologies and product strategy.
The role of the CTO has evolved to include both the development of new technologies and their integration into business strategies and operating models. The four types of CTOs include the "challenger," the "owner," the "influencer," and the "enabler," each with a different approach to technology management based on the needs and characteristics of the organization.
Instead, the role of the CIO has morphed into that of a product visionary, defining and driving strategic technology initiatives for the business. This requires a broad understanding of the business and a focus on creating value through IT.
To ensure the success of the CIO and CTO, the CEO and other C-levels should support the work of these figures:
- Ensuring long-term commitment and providing the support needed to modernize IT.
- By establishing a clear convergence on strategic business objectives to enable the CIO to prioritize relevant initiatives.
- By creating a corporate culture that attracts and retains talent, focusing on building internal expertise.
- By raising awareness of IT-related complexities to support informed decisions.
- By improving the average technical competence of management, thereby fostering the success of digital transformation initiatives.
In addition, with the growing relevance of Generative AI, CTOs and CIOs are required to determine the strategy for Gen AI adoption, to identify valuable use cases to find use cases that generate value through improved productivity, growth and new business models. In addition to this, they will henceforth need to focus on rapidly building generative technology capabilities in software development and reducing manual efforts in IT operations, including by using existing services or adapting open source generative AI models to their company's needs. Crucial, then, is that in all these activities they manage to integrate ethical principles into the creation and use of gen AI technologies, ensuring transparency and respect for corporate values.

In summary, 2024 presents significant opportunities and challenges for CTOs and CIOs, who must adapt to new business dynamics, emerging technologies, and the needs of employees and customers. Collaboration between these figures and support from top management will be critical to support the evolution of companies and make them increasingly competitive in the global landscape.