2015 is over and big data is still the hottest commodity on analytics developers’ CVs. But what’s next? The datasphere continues to expand exponentially. Every two days, we create as much data as was created between the beginning of time and 2003. This means the roles associated with making, and keeping, data as a key function in the organisation can only multiply.
As IT recruiters, we regularly place candidates into roles bearing titles that wouldn’t have existed even 15 years ago, but an explosion of new monikers has taken place even since 2013 – all brought about by the importance placed on a strong internal data structure within companies.
Below, I’ve put together a short list of some of the new and fresh role titles that I’ve seen recently – stay tuned for more as the year progresses!
Until recently, machine learning was a nice-to-have in job specs, something a bit nebulous and as a lovely extra to have in a data scientist-type role. This year, however, it has become a discrete role in organisations, combining statistics and data mining with expert-level scripting and developing skills, purely for the purpose of developing machine learning technologies.
Every organisation that is looking to transition to a data-driven model needs someone to manage this sometimes drastic change. It’s predicted that this will become a far more common formal role, encompassing Six Sigma to drive continuous improvement, within even traditional organisations.
The thinking behind this role is that every tiny piece of data in an organisation should be owned by someone, ideally a business unit. They will assure that all data sources are properly accounted for and may also maintain a centralised repository as part of the company’s overall MDM strategy.
An obvious one, but it’s the first time that we’ve seen someone driving the data strategy from the C-suite, a real sense of importance given to running an organisation in a data-driven way and it’s part in overall company strategy.
By Eleanor McShortall
Eleanor McShortall recruits in the area of big data and across the industry of IT and telecom. She is a senior recruiter who finds people jobs from graduate to director level. Get in touch with her at eleanor.mcshortall@recruiters.ie
