"Modern CIOs need to ensure access to the right decision-makers within the business in order to do a proper job."

Apotek Hjärtat CIO, Petter Sundberg

The majority of CIOs do not aspire to move out of IT. Overall, about 64% see the role of CIO as an end-destination in itself.

Many CIOs enjoy the potential that it holds for them. In fact, 33% of respondents are satisfied to stay within their current role. This largely remains true for younger CIOs too.

The rest of the C-suite is overwhelmingly in agreement: about 63% simply don’t think their CIOs aspire to any other role within the business. This also highlights another perception gap that ambitious CIOs will have to overcome.

Most CIOs may be happy in their role, but this does not suggest that a significant proportion is without ambition for higher office. However, only 8% of the C-suite recognize such ambitions, with a further 13% acknowledging that the CIO may be happy in the position, but still ambitious for a larger CIO role.

One-third of the CIOs polled plan to move into a bigger, more powerful CIO role – either one with a position in the executive management team, or else scaling up into a role within a significantly larger business.

Looking elsewhere

There is also a cadre of CIOs (33%) who plan to move elsewhere in the business. About 11% aspire to the top job: taking on the role of CEO. Others hold an interest in functions varying from COO, CFO, running another business unit, right through to a shift into the more technically-oriented role of chief technology officer (CTO).

Lack of a career development strategy

For a number of CIOs, not enough time or priority is given to the development of a clear career strategy. About 35% admit that they are strongly in need of advice on how best to develop their career, which reflects the lack of attention that many within technology have given to this aspect of the role.

This is especially apparent among CIOs who rate themselves most highly on their technology expertise, as opposed to those with a more business-oriented education. 

CIO career aspirations - where they see themselves in five years’ time

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