If you’re a Finance Director, Head of Finance, or CFO with a proven track record and a seat at the leadership table, it’s natural to feel secure in your position.
But after spending a substantial period in your role, you may decide it’s time for a new challenge – only to discover that the job market looks completely different from the last time you navigated it.
The Job Market Is Evolving – And so is the Finance Role
After political uncertainty and rising employment costs, many businesses are operating more cautiously.
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows UK unemployment remains at 4.9%, while job vacancies have fallen to around 702,000, the lowest level outside the pandemic period in more than a decade. There are now approximately 2.5 unemployed people for every vacancy.
While senior finance opportunities still exist, the market has become more competitive, and organisations are placing greater scrutiny on every hire.
For finance leaders, that means career development can no longer be something that happens in the background. The most successful CFOs are investing not only in the businesses they lead, but also in their own long-term marketability.
At the same time, the role of finance is changing. Today’s CFO is expected to do far more than oversee reporting and controls. Businesses increasingly look to finance leaders to shape strategy, lead transformation, manage risk, embrace technology and provide commercial insight.
As AI and automation continue to reshape the profession, the value of finance leaders will increasingly come from their ability to interpret information, influence decision-making and drive business performance.
Creating Career Resilience
One challenge that often comes with seniority is becoming disconnected from the external market after years in a successful role.
You’re focused on delivering results, supporting the board, leading teams and driving growth. Before long, years may have passed without updating your CV, expanding your network or assessing how your skills align with evolving market demands.
The irony is that the more successful you’ve become within your organisation, the easier it can be to lose visibility outside of it.
Career resilience is not simply about building experience. It’s about maintaining your market relevance, staying connected to industry developments, and continuously developing the skills that organisations value most. This doesn’t mean preparing to leave your current role. It means ensuring that if opportunities arise, or circumstances change, you remain well positioned to take advantage of them.
Ask yourself: How strong is your network outside your current organisation?
Research from LinkedIn, MIT, Harvard Business School, and Stanford University, based on data from more than 20 million users, found that “weak ties” are often more effective for career mobility than close connections.
Networking isn’t just about finding your next role. It’s about staying visible, informed, and connected. Events such as iMultiply’s Walk with Wisdom are a great way to expand your network before you need it.
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation about the market?
Even if you’re happy in your role, staying connected to the market is simply good career management. Continuing the conversation with your peers or recruiters will keep you more informed about the latest market trends.
Do your skills align with tomorrow’s leadership requirements?
As a Talent Acquisition Manager, I’ve seen highly capable finance leaders caught off guard by unexpected change.
Transformation, AI adoption, technology optimisation, commercial partnering, and strategic decision-making are becoming increasingly important at senior finance level.
These skills cannot be developed overnight. The leaders who stay ahead are investing in them now through accredited courses, industry insights and webinars focused on developing AI and Automation skills in finance.
The Strongest Position Is Having Options
Not because they lacked experience.
Not because they weren’t good enough.
But because they hadn’t maintained their external profile, network, or market awareness.
Protecting your career doesn’t mean you’re planning to leave. It means you’re creating options.
The leaders who navigate change most successfully are rarely the ones scrambling to rebuild a network or update a CV that hasn’t been touched in a decade.
They’re the ones who stayed connected all along.
A Few Practical Actions That I Recommend.
- Keep your LinkedIn profile and CV up to date.
- Clearly articulate the problems you’ve solved and the value you’ve created.
- Build relationships before you need them.
- Stay informed about market trends.
- Invest in future-focused skills, particularly AI and automation.
- Attend networking and leadership events.
- Maintain relationships with trusted advisers and recruiters.
Final Thought
Your role may feel secure today, and finance remains a resilient profession. But career resilience comes from staying prepared, not assuming things will never change.
So, I’ll leave you with one question:
If you unexpectedly found yourself on the market tomorrow, would you be stepping into it from a position of strength, or would you be playing catch-up?
Need advice on the current market? Reach out to myself here to start the conversation.
