Chief Digital Officer

Recruiting a Chief Digital Officer (CDO) requires a thorough understanding of the role. The following is a very general summary, which should be adapted to your specific context.

The Chief Digital Officer reports directly to the CEO or the Executive Committee. They embody the company’s digital transformation by aligning the digital strategy with global business objectives. Their mission is to drive technological innovation, accelerate process digitization, and create new business models leveraging digital opportunities (AI, cloud, data, automation, etc.). In collaboration with business teams, IT, and external partners, they ensure the company remains competitive, agile, and customer-centric in a constantly evolving environment.

Responsibilities and Missions

1. Define and Lead the Global Digital Strategy

Develop and execute an ambitious digital roadmap, positioning the company as a sector leader.
Identify opportunities from emerging technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain, cloud) and translate them into initiatives.
Digitize business processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer experience.
Create new business models (digital platforms, subscriptions, marketplaces) to drive growth.
Collaborate with senior management, business teams, and technology partners to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.

2. Oversee the Digital Transformation of Processes and Systems

Modernize information systems (ERP, CRM, collaborative tools) and migrate to cloud or hybrid architectures.
Automate repetitive processes through RPA, chatbots, smart workflows to reduce costs.
Enhance the employee and customer experience with intuitive, mobile-friendly solutions.
Build a secure, agile, and scalable digital ecosystem supporting growth and innovation.

3. Accelerate Innovation and Adoption of Emerging Technologies

Lead pilot projects (PoC) to evaluate disruptive solutions before scaling.
Encourage innovation through hackathons, co-creation workshops, and partnerships with startups.
Measure innovation impact on business performance (productivity, revenue, customer satisfaction).
Ensure the company anticipates trends and transforms challenges into competitive advantages.

4. Ensure Security and Compliance of Digital Initiatives

Apply best practices (GDPR, ISO 27001, NIS2) from project design (privacy by design).
Protect data and infrastructures against cyber threats in collaboration with the CISO.
Raise awareness on cybersecurity and data protection through training and internal campaigns.
Guarantee transformation without compromising security or customer trust.

5. Foster Digital Culture and Unite Stakeholders

Promote a digital-first mindset, showing how digital creates business value.
Organize events and workshops to share successes and lessons learned.
Unite business, IT, and external partners around a shared digital vision.
Highlight quick wins and celebrate success stories to strengthen digital culture.

6. Measure Impact and Drive Continuous Improvement

Define and monitor KPIs (adoption rate, ROI, satisfaction, productivity gains).
Collect user feedback and adjust strategy accordingly.
Identify new digital opportunities to keep the company ahead of the market.
Continuously evolve processes, tools, and skills to match customer and market needs.

Examples of Concrete Achievements

Launched a B2B/B2C digital platform (marketplace or customer portal), generating +20% revenue in 18 months and improving user experience.
Deployed a generative AI solution (chatbot or virtual assistant) for customer service, cutting response times by 40% and raising satisfaction.
Modernized ERP and migrated to the cloud (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud), lowering infrastructure costs by 25% and boosting agility.
Trained 1,000+ employees on digital tools (Microsoft 365, Salesforce) and agile/design thinking, accelerating adoption.
Created an innovation lab testing blockchain, AR, and metaverse technologies, with 3 PoCs scaled into industrial projects.