Women in IT Leadership Roles Rise to 23% Amid Industry Transformation

The latest report from Avsar, a next-generation recruitment consultancy, highlights a notable rise in women’s participation in senior leadership roles within India’s IT sector. As of 2024, women hold 23% of senior IT leadership positions, up from 18.7% in 2023. Despite this progress, men still dominate the majority of leadership roles. However, structured mentorship programs and leadership development initiatives are steadily bridging the gender gap, fostering a more inclusive industry.

The IT industry is witnessing a rapid evolution in leadership roles, with positions such as Chief AI Officer (CAO) and Chief Automation Officer gaining prominence as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) adoption accelerate. Hybrid leadership roles, such as Chief Digital Officer (CDO), which merge IT expertise with business acumen, are also on the rise, reflecting the industry’s need for strategic vision in an AI-driven landscape.

Compensation Trends for Senior IT Leaders
The report provides insights into the salary trends of senior IT executives, highlighting the increasing demand for specialized leadership roles:

Chief Technology Officers (CTOs): INR 1.5 – 4.5 crore per annum
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs): INR 1 – 3 crore per annum
Chief Data Officers (CDOs): INR 1.2 – 3.8 crore per annum
Chief AI Officers (CAOs): INR 1.5 – 3 crore per annum
These figures underscore the growing emphasis on data-driven decision-making, cybersecurity, and AI-led innovationin leadership hiring.

Bengaluru Leads IT Leadership Hiring
Bengaluru continues to be the dominant hub for IT leadership recruitment, accounting for 48% of high-level hires. Other cities leading in senior IT placements include:

Hyderabad – 22%
Pune – 20%
Chennai – 10%
NCR (12%) and Mumbai (8%) are also emerging as key hiring locations, especially in fintech and consulting sectors.
This regional distribution reflects the diverse hiring trends shaping India’s IT industry.

Navneet Singh, Founder & CEO of Avsar, emphasized the transformative shift toward gender inclusivity in IT leadership. He stated, “Women securing 23% of senior leadership positions signals a significant shift in the industry. Diverse leadership is not just desirable but essential for driving innovation and solving complex business challenges. Companies must continue to invest in talent development and create inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.”

The report highlights new leadership trends, such as:

Sustainable technology practices becoming a priority for senior IT leaders.
Hybrid leadership roles blending IT and business strategy to ensure agile and adaptive decision-making.
These developments indicate a shift toward future-ready leadership models in the IT sector.

Avsar’s report sheds light on India’s evolving IT leadership landscape, highlighting increased women’s participation, emerging leadership roles, and shifting compensation trends. As AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable technology practices shape the industry’s future, organizations must focus on inclusive leadership and strategic innovation to stay ahead in the rapidly transforming IT sector.