Got your sights set on a corner office with a view?

Executives sometimes spend more than 20 years climbing to the top of the career ladder. While it is true that finding company executive positions can be challenging, it can be helpful to know which industries are expanding so you can target your career journey with laser precision. This article highlights the fastest-growing industries for executive jobs with insights into different executive positions so you can find top executive positions when you decide it's time for career advancement. 

What are the top three industries that employ chief executives?

As you consider different types of executive positions, it's always nice to know which industries are at the top. It should come as no surprise that, according to the latest job market trends, healthcare, technology, and financial services stand out.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Healthcare

Healthcare is still one of the fastest-growing industries for company executive positions. Aging baby boomers and the Affordable Care Act stimulated growth in this already lucrative business. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the healthcare industry will overtake state and local government growth within the next ten years. More than four million jobs will enter the market; many of these will be high-paying executive positions. Because of the healthcare industry's complexity, a top executive position will likely be required to manage everything from operations to compliance. 

Related reading: Your Guide for Getting a Career in Healthcare

Technology

Technology is exciting and ever-changing. Rapid growth in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity means this industry dominates executive hiring tracks. Top executive jobs like Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), and VP of Product Development are necessary to help companies that are endlessly updating computers and account systems. The work is detailed, tedious, often stressful, and highly rewarding. 

It takes a like-minded executive to stay on top of every detail and change. Companies search for IT directors who not only think outside the box and maintain updated technical proficiencies, but they also want you to be able to explain it in elementary terms.

Related reading: 11 Best Technical Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

Financial services

With a globalized economy, the financial services sector continues to thrive. Executives specializing in investment banking, corporate finance, and financial risk management are highly sought after. Business executive positions such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) are essential in steering corporate financial success.

Related reading: Gaming the System: 6 Recession-Proof Jobs (and 5 Jobs That Put You at Risk)

Emerging sectors for company executive positions

Those top three industries are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the types of executive positions that are available. You could also find a rewarding executive job in industries like renewable energy, logistics, and education technology (EdTech).

Renewable energy

The race is on for almost all companies to become more sustainable and carbon-neutral. If you subscribe to the concept that green is the new black, this industry could be for you. Renewable energy has transformed from a niche market to a dominant force in the global economy, and that shift means countless company executive positions have opened up. Put your sights on clean tech, solar energy, and wind power if you think you would thrive as a leader who can champion sustainability while scaling operations in a fast-evolving industry.

Related reading: 20 Exciting Environmental Careers

Waste Management.

Waste management: it's not as stinky a business as you may think. It is, however, one of the fastest-growing industries out there! Americans throw away more trash than any other nation. We have dedicated thousands of acres to containing waste in landfills. The companies that visit our homes each week represent a multibillion-dollar industry that keeps growing and growing. Behind every garbage pickup truck are company executive positions making decisions and keeping things clean for everyone. 

Logistics and supply chain management

Global supply chains faced significant disruptions in the not-too-recent past. This caused a shift in the executive job market. Logistics firms started seeking top executives to fill jobs like Chief Operations Officer (COO), Supply Chain Director, and Vice President of Global Logistics. Those supply chain woes may have been sorted out, but things like e-commerce mean businesses continue to need to fill company executive positions in supply chain management, procurement, transportation, and warehousing. 

To land one of these top executive jobs, you'll probably want to brush up on emerging automation trends, like AI-powered logistics platforms, and be able to prove you have what it takes to mitigate global trade shifts. 

Related reading: What is the C-Suite? Definition, Roles, and Required Skills

Education technology (EdTech)

Classroom life doesn't happen in a classroom anymore. The rise of remote learning and digital education platforms has propelled EdTech into one of the fastest-growing industries for company executive positions. The demand for online learning surged due to global events, reshaping how educational services are delivered. As a result, EdTech companies now require high-level leaders who can scale platforms, build strategic partnerships, and expand global reach.

How to find executive jobs in growing industries

Landing company executive positions in fast-growing industries like healthcare, tech, and finance require more than just submitting resumes online. Executive roles are often filled through industry networks, personal referrals, and direct recruitment by executive search firms. 

So, how do you take advantage of this knowledge and make it work for your executive job search?

  • Build a strong online presence by optimizing your LinkedIn profile and sharing thought leadership content to set yourself apart as an expert. 

  • Join industry-specific networks, professional associations, and executive groups and boards related to your target industry. 

  • Attend conferences and industry events, whether virtual or in-person, so you can connect with potential mentors, recruiters, and hiring managers.

  • Partner with executive recruiters and headhunters who specialize in top executive positions.

  • Network with peers and alumni, as those relationships can be invaluable sources for career opportunities in different executive positions.

  • Become a peer mentor so you and a peer in a complementary field can share job leads, recommendations, and industry news.

  • Be proactive and persistent by reaching out directly to target companies to connect with C-level executives and decision-makers. 

  • Stay consistent in making networking a long-term investment by scheduling time to engage with your network, follow up on past conversations, and share updates about your career milestones.

Related reading: Here's Why Networking Is Important to Your Success

Lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact

Ambition is great, but remember to break into company executive positions in today's global and competitive job market, you have to have some strategy on your side. It all starts with knowing which industries to target! Hard work, determination, and a clear vision of your career goals can turn even the most ambitious professional dreams into reality. 

Once you have a target industry in your sights, it's time to update your resume so that it properly highlights your leadership, achievements, and unique value. Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our free critique today!

This article was originally written by M.A. Smith. It's been updated by Marsha Hebert.

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