It’s no secret that trends in technology are driving major changes in the way we work. Often, this conversation focuses on the jobs and skills being supplanted by automation or innovation.
This evolution was well-encapsulated by Slack Founder Stewart Butterfield in his keynote address to the Wharton People Analytics Conference this March. “Computer and Calculator are both former job titles.” He sounded an optimistic note; “we’ll just do other things that we couldn’t do before.” Amidst this upheaval new opportunities are also emerging.
As every business continuously seeks new competitive advantages, new roles will tend to emerge that convey them. Here are some jobs that have appeared or taken on new depth in just the last few years.
Community Manager
Originally born in online communities like message boards and social media, community managers have made the leap to the physical world. These team members ensure that the people who show up in your office each day are engaged and satisfied. Duties might include coordinating events for professional development, actively seeking opportunities to connect colleagues around common objectives, and advocating for workplace changes that might benefit the community as a whole.
These efforts aren’t just window dressing. Business leaders have realized that the human need for community and belonging is a core component of workplace satisfaction, with a direct impact on performance, as this recent piece in Harvard Business Review highlights.
Co-working has led this trend; WeWork has over 200 community team members in the Tri-State area alone and is currently seeking over 150 more worldwide. As business leaders look to build communities that attract and retain talent, this role is popping up in all sorts of places beyond co-working. Back in 2014, CMX CEO David Spinks predicted that in just a few years, “Community will be its own department in companies instead of a part of another department like marketing or support.” CMX, which bills itself as “the hub for the community industry” boasts 20,000 members, hosts a yearly summit, and regularly provides news and insight into this growing field.
Building Technology Officer
This role sits at the crucial intersection of people, place, and technology. Its emergence reflects a growing understanding of the effects of environment on workplace success. Smart-office amenities can enable more comfort, productivity, and satisfaction, but only if they are well-planned, well-managed, and routinely upgraded.