Hybrid skills now needed in Projects & Business Change

Over the past, year the skills employers require for projects and business change have shifted from pure IT Project Managers to specialist business-focused Project Managers and Business Analysts who understand both IT and business needs and can act as the link between the two.

The rapid increase in demand for hybrid business-focused professionals is a continuation of the single biggest change in this space over the past few years, with employers wanting people who combine IT and business intelligence and act as the conduit between the two in order to formulate a change strategy in a commercial way.

Exceptional problem solving skills, the ability to communicate at all levels of a business, the capability to work strategically while getting into the detail, and the capacity to deliver are also required.

However such professionals are in short supply. Employers are therefore becoming far more flexible in the daily rates on offer for those with the necessary experience and skills, both technical and soft. Without such demonstrable skills, there is little room to negotiate the rate on offer.

For their part, hybrid candidates are attracted to roles that are complex or high profile and encompass changes to systems, processes and people. They typically enjoy roles where they can act strategically, provide advice and give input into direction.

But before accepting a role, they want assurance that there is strong support for change from an organisation’s leaders. Without this, change can be near impossible to deliver successfully.

Given the increasing demand for hybrid business-focused professionals, the call for IT Project Managers who have focused solely on IT has dropped away. If you find yourself in this position, our advice is to look for any and every opportunity to work on non-tech projects with people from other departments, learn to become more strategic in your thinking and provide IT solutions that help the organisation achieve its goals.

If you don’t, you’ll be unable to take advantage of demand that is only set to continue since cost reductions, process improvements, a customer focus and the need to implement new systems or ways of working remain key priorities for organisations large and small.

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Author

Adam Shapley

Managing Director, Hays New Zealand

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Adam Shapley is a 17-year veteran of the recruitment industry. As MD, Adam oversees the entirety of Hays’ operations in New Zealand. He is also a member of the ANZ Management Board and shares responsibility for setting the strategic direction for the growth of the entire Australasian business.

In addition, Adam is responsible for the strategic direction and operational performance of our Hays Information Technology business across the ANZ region.

During his time with Hays, Adam has held significant multi-office and cross-specialism leadership roles in Australia and New Zealand. He has a strong track record of building great teams and working collaboratively to deliver outstanding results.