Market Update: Tech & Change Hot Roles (w/c 09/03)

The second week of March saw a substantial rebound in hiring activity, with volumes more than doubling compared to the previous week. Permanent roles dominated, accounting for the clear majority of positions. The week was characterised by particularly strong demand across AI and data leadership, utilities and infrastructure, and a diverse spread of sectors including charities, healthcare, and professional services.

📊 Volume & Mix

77 roles total this week
Permanent: ~62
Interim: ~15

Channel: Agency roles accounted for approximately 70% of the total. Direct hires were concentrated in public sector (DSIT, Sandwell Council, Bridgend Borough Council, UK Research and Innovation), healthcare (NHS Business Services Authority, NHS Foundation Trusts), higher education (Newcastle University, University of Gloucestershire), charities (Dementia UK, Good Things Foundation, Homeless Link, Business Disability Forum), utilities, housing associations, and corporate employers.

Up significantly from 40 roles in the previous week.

💡 Key Trends This Week

AI and data leadership was the dominant theme, with AI Lead, Senior AI Architect, Head of AI (AI Start-up), Director of AI Engineering, Interim Data/AI Transformation Director, AI/ML & Generative AI Leader, Head of Data Systems and AI, Head of IT and AI, Digital & AI Non-Executive Director, and Senior Manager Data Science AI & Analytics roles appearing across healthcare, charity, banking, consumer, and technology sectors.
Head of Technology roles appeared with notable frequency across logistics, private sector, tech start-ups, and insurance (Head of Technology & Delivery - Customer Operations), indicating sustained demand for operational technology leadership.
Utilities and infrastructure showed increased activity, with Chief Information Technology Architect (United Utilities), Delivery Director (Utilities), Head of IT (United Gas & Power), and infrastructure-focused roles appearing across the sector.
Charities and third sector were particularly active, with Deputy Director Technology and Digital Transformation (Dementia UK appearing twice in the data), Head of Programme Delivery - Tech Rescue (Good Things Foundation), Head of Data Systems and AI (Homeless Link), and Head of IT and AI (Business Disability Forum) roles.
Programme Director and transformation roles remained prominent across interim and permanent markets, including Programme Director - D365 F&O (appearing twice), Programme Director - Payment Systems, Global ERP Programme Director, Transformation Director (private equity, publishing), and Service Director - Transformation & ICT positions.

📅 Month-on-Month (rolling view)

January 2026 (w/c 06/01): 64 roles; permanent hiring dominant; IT Director and Head of IT most common titles; housing and charity sectors notably active.
January 2026 (w/c 13/01): 54 roles; interim activity up, particularly in private equity; programme and carve-out work more visible; public sector presence reduced.
January 2026 (w/c 19/01): 37 roles; volumes down by a third; Head-level roles most frequent; change leadership and security roles notable; interim proportion increased.
January 2026 (w/c 26/01): 57 roles; volumes up; Head of Digital most common; public sector and healthcare more visible; permanent roles returned to majority.
February 2026 (w/c 02/02): 54 roles; stable volumes; Programme Director most frequent; public sector and healthcare notably strong; engineering leadership prominent.
February 2026 (w/c 09/02): 65 roles; highest volumes since early January; CISO and security leadership prominent; higher education notably active; interim demand sustained.
February 2026 (w/c 16/02): 51 roles; volumes down (half-term week); public sector notably strong; data and analytics leadership more visible; Programme Director roles remained frequent.
February 2026 (w/c 23/02): 71 roles; strong rebound post-half-term; Head-level roles dominant across disciplines; CIO appointments notably frequent; fractional and cyber security leadership prominent.
March 2026 (w/c 02/03): 40 roles; notably quieter (post-surge week); cyber security and AI specialisms prominent; higher education sustained activity; pattern observed: week following a break surges, subsequent week drops.
March 2026 (w/c 09/03): 77 roles; substantial rebound; AI and data leadership dominant theme; utilities and infrastructure notably active; charities and third sector particularly visible; highest weekly total recorded

Role

Type

Employment

Sector

Location

Link

Deputy Director for Technology, Data & AI

Security Industry Authority

Permanent

Public Sector