Chief Data Officer
Also known as: CDO · Chief Data and Analytics Officer · Head of Data
Sets the data strategy of an organisation, establishes governance and teams and accounts for the return on data use to the executive board.
The chief data officer sets direction for data and AI across the organisation and is accountable for both return and compliance. Unlike the data architect, the issue is not technical design but mandate, budget, priorities and the assignment of ownership. Selection often rewards professional reputation, while this role stalls on change capability: without support in the line, a data strategy stays a document and departments keep using their own figures and definitions.
Competencies to measure
These are the behavioural and ability constructs in this profile. Each one shows which hrmforce questionnaire measures it.
| Competencies to measure | Target level | hrmforce instrument | Assessment method | Behavioural anchor at target level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numerical reasoning Knockout | N5 | Ability Scan | Cognitive ability test | Sees in complex number series which assumptions determine the outcome and sets the calculation logic that others in the organisation follow. |
| Curiosity and exploring Competency (50-framework): Learning Ability | N4 | Big Fifty, 15PF, Motivation | Personality questionnaire | Gathers information on new methods outside the own team and brings findings into the work meeting unprompted. |
| Dealing with ambiguity Competency (50-framework): Flexibility | N4 | Big Fifty, Mental Resilience (4C), Competency Check | Situational Judgement Test | Formulates explicit assumptions when information is missing, proceeds on that basis and revises the approach once new data arrives. |
Short profile
The ten heaviest skills in this profile. The full profile with every skill, behavioural anchor and assessment method is in the download.
| T | Skill | Target level | Weight | Knockout | Assessment method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Numerical reasoning | N5 | 5 | yes | Cognitive ability test |
| V | Stakeholder management | N5 | 5 | no | Assessment centre |
| V | Strategic thinking | N5 | 5 | no | Assessment centre |
| V | Change management | N5 | 5 | no | Assessment centre |
| K | Basic statistical interpretation | N5 | 5 | yes | Knowledge test |
| V | Data governance and ownership | N5 | 5 | yes | Structured interview |
| V | AI governance and responsible use | N4 | 5 | no | Knowledge test |
| V | Critical thinking and source evaluation | N5 | 4 | no | Work sample test |
| V | Visual communication and data storytelling | N5 | 4 | no | Work sample test |
| K | Governance and compliance | N5 | 4 | no | Knowledge test |
See all 27 skills in the full profile
Assessment instruments for this job
Work sample test
Representative work sample under standardized conditions
Knowledge test (client-specific)
Professional knowledge test, customized for each client
Competency Check
Behavioral-Level Competency Assessment
Ability Scan
Aptitude Test: Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract Reasoning Skills
Structured interview
Behavioral interview with a fixed structure
Portfolio
Evaluation of prior work against fixed criteria
360 Feedback
Multiple assessments based on behavioral anchors
Big Fifty
Personality questionnaire, 150 items, 25 factors
15PF
Personality Profile, a shorter alternative to the Big Fifty
Motivation
Drivers and sources of motivation
Mental Resilience (4C)
Mental Resilience According to the 4C Model
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