CIOs Tackle Hybrid Roles, Blending Business Outcomes With IT
CIO Dive, Tuesday, May 26th, 2026
CIOs are increasingly taking on hybrid roles combining technology with business functions like digital, data, and transformation to drive measurable business outcomes.
Boards and CEOs are redefining CIO roles beyond traditional technology stewardship to include measurable business outcomes, with many tech leaders now holding dual titles that encompass digital, data, transformation, and product functions.
Executive search experts report an uptick in these expanded roles at major companies like Delta, Lumen Technologies, and Kimberly-Clark, which help break down silos and increase accountability.
The shift reflects urgency created by AI adoption and pressure for tech leaders to demonstrate business value, with a Deloitte report finding that 79% of tech leaders surveyed cite driving business outcomes as their top priority. IBM's CEO survey suggests that C-suite consolidation is becoming a broader trend, emphasizing the need for cross-enterprise orchestration rather than siloed leadership.