--- title: What CEO's Look for When Hiring a CIO description: "Finding the right CIO is crucial in today's technology-driven business world, and CEO's and CFO's are looking for the best candidate who can drive growth and competitiveness of their organisation.   This includes someone who possess a unique combination of business acumen, technology expertise, leadership and management skills, innovation and adaptability.\n\nSuccessful CIOs today need to align their technology initiatives with the overall business strategy and who can effectively lead and manage their teams." image: https://www.theciocircle.com/hubfs/Why%20CIOs%20fail%20to%20realise%20their%20full%20potential%20(6).png --- [![Black CIO Circle logo-2](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png?width=160&height=60&name=Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png) ![White CIO Circle logo](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png?width=160&height=60&name=White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com) [![Black CIO Circle logo-2](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png?width=180&height=68&name=Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Tech Cost Optimisation](https://www.theciocircle.com/tech-cost-optimisation) - [Tech Leadership & Strategy Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/technology-strategy-advisory) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - Memberships - [Community Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/community) - [Leader Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-leader) - [Executive Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-executive) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Insights](https://www.theciocircle.com/insights) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Tech Cost Optimisation](https://www.theciocircle.com/tech-cost-optimisation) - [Tech Leadership & Strategy Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/technology-strategy-advisory) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - Memberships - [Community Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/community) - [Leader Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-leader) - [Executive Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-executive) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Insights](https://www.theciocircle.com/insights) [Member Login](https://member.theciocircle.com/wp-login.php) [Join Free](https://www.theciocircle.com/request-access-to-the-cio-circle-community) # What CEO's Look for When Hiring a CIO ![Brad Dowden](https://www.theciocircle.com/hubfs/Brad%20Dowden%20Intercor.jpg) July 15, 2024 As the business world becomes increasingly technology-driven, the role of the CIO has become increasingly important. The CIO is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all technology initiatives within an organisation, and plays a key role in driving business growth and competitiveness. As a result, CEOs are now looking for a specific set of skills and qualities when hiring a CIO. ![The CIO CIRCLE Blog Images What CEOs look for ...Innovation](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20CIO%20CIRCLE%20Blog%20Images%20%20What%20CEOs%20look%20for%20...Innovation.png?width=2400&height=1200&name=The%20CIO%20CIRCLE%20Blog%20Images%20%20What%20CEOs%20look%20for%20...Innovation.png) 1\. Business Acumen The most successful CIOs understand the business they are in and how technology can be leveraged to drive growth and competitiveness. CEOs look for CIOs who can think strategically and align their technology initiatives with the overall business strategy. They also look for CIOs who can effectively communicate the value of technology to the rest of the organisation and build buy-in for their initiatives. 2\. Technology Expertise Of course, CEOs also look for CIOs who have a deep understanding of the technology landscape and can keep up with the latest trends and innovations. They look for CIOs who have a strong technical background and a proven track record of implementing and managing complex technology projects. 3\. Leadership and Management Skills A CIO must be able to lead and manage a team of IT professionals. CEOs look for CIOs who can effectively manage and motivate their teams and have a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams. ![The CIO CIRCLE Blog Images What CEOs look for ...Business Acumen ](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20CIO%20CIRCLE%20Blog%20Images%20%20What%20CEOs%20look%20for%20...Business%20Acumen%20.png?width=2400&height=1200&name=The%20CIO%20CIRCLE%20Blog%20Images%20%20What%20CEOs%20look%20for%20...Business%20Acumen%20.png) **4. Innovation** With the rapid pace of technological change, CEOs look for CIOs who can think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems. They look for CIOs who are not afraid to take risks and experiment with new technologies. **5. Flexibility and Adaptability** Finally, CEOs look for CIOs who are flexible and adaptable. They look for CIOs who can pivot quickly when faced with new challenges and who can navigate the ever-changing technology landscape. [![Join today](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Join%20today.png?width=1200&height=600&name=Join%20today.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com/join-today) Finding the right CIO is crucial in today's technology-driven business world, and CEOs and CFOs are looking for the best candidate who can drive the growth and competitiveness of their organisation.   This includes someone who possesses a unique combination of business acumen, technology expertise, leadership and management skills, innovation and adaptability. Successful CIOs today need to align their technology initiatives with the overall business strategy and who can effectively lead and manage their teams. 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