The continued impact of COVID-19 is being felt in Britain’s workplaces, as new data from specialist recruiter Robert Half reveals one in three businesses are rescoping roles to assist with post-lockdown recovery.

The survey of more than 1,500 executives highlights which skills and competencies are most in demand as managers seek to get back on their feet and take advantage of growth opportunities in the ‘new normal’.

In a world where remote working seems here to stay, it is perhaps no surprise that the top two in demand skills are focused around IT security (32%) and IT management (30%), while financial management (25%) and business planning and analysis (21%) are also key.

These business management skills are being prioritised by employers as they look to ensure resilience in the case of a second wave, as well as to support new business strategies considering the evolving economic environment.

Companies within the UK are seeking to embrace change and build more agile, adaptable workforces, with many businesses redesigning traditional job roles to meet current demands.

HR, talent acquisition and office support roles are not only in higher demand at present, but have increased in importance given the support they provide companies going through business and digital transformations, as well as guiding predominantly remote workforces through new processes and functions.

Despite an increased focus on tech capabilities for specific roles, two-fifths (41%) of executives believe that ‘soft’ skills will also be essential for dealing with the continued uncertainty associated with COVID-19.

The top in demand ‘soft’ skills include creative thinking (38%) and agility (36%), highlighting the importance of innovative, flexible teams to help businesses recover post-lockdown, while effective communication (35%), strong leadership (33%) and strategic thinking (29%) are also in high demand.

A significant proportion of businesses are also focusing on levelling up their digital capabilities post-lockdown. Two-fifths (41%) of C-suite respondents said they were fast-tracking digital transformation efforts over the remainder of the year, while a third (32%) will be prioritising their e-commerce strategy.

There has been a surge in demand for technology roles, including network architects and developers, as many companies upgrade or expand their IT infrastructure and online revenue capabilities in response to shifting consumer demands and remote working.

Within finance and accounting, there has been an increased focus on candidates with digital operations and data analytics experience, as well as a rise in demand for credit and cash control roles as businesses seek to automate and streamline their finance functions through cloud based systems.

Similarly, within financial services, there has been greater prioritisation of candidates with cloud computing and analytical skills, coupled with an increase in demand for payment and analyst roles.

Matt Weston, Managing Director of Robert Half UK, said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many of us do business, both now and in the future. Remote working has enabled talent pools around the world to open up, which, for some companies, means that existing employees with key skills can be redeployed in the short-term to deliver business-critical roles. For others, however, changing customer demands and new working patterns have meant skills gaps have suddenly appeared – for digital transformation and e-commerce, in particular.

“Effective permanent, temporary, and interim hiring strategies can help bridge these gaps by upskilling teams with the required specialist competencies and behaviours needed. Now is the ideal time to redesign job roles, retrain current employees and consider new combinations of permanent, temporary and project-based staff in order to build a smart, flexible staffing plan to supercharge your post-COVID-19 recovery.”