2026 Salary Guide: Change and Transformation Insights for Strategic Hiring

Change and Transformation has become a central pillar of how organisations across both the public and private sectors modernise operations and futureproof against disruption. We’ve compiled the most valuable change and transformation insights from our 2025/26 Salary Guide, to help you make informed hiring decisions and stay competitive in a complex, skills-short market.

In this article, we give you an overview of some of the key trends, emerging skills, and the hiring behaviours shaping the future of change and transformation talent.

Jump To:

• Why Demand for Change and Transformation Jobs Is Rising
• What Causes Transformation Projects to Stall
• What’s Driving Salaries in 2026
• The Skills Employers Are Prioritising
• Hiring Advice and Career Tips
• Download the Full Change & Transformation Salary Guide

 

Why Demand for Change and Transformation Jobs Is Rising

We’re seeing a sharp uptick in change and transformation jobs across sectors and for good reason. 66% of UK CEOs are planning on developing new capabilities and operating models over the next 12 months, and 61% are doing so by increasing investment in artificial intelligence, data and cloud solutions.

This reflects the ongoing push towards digitalisation we’ve seen across private enterprise. However, this trend is not confined to the private sector. Public bodies and non-profits are equally focused on transformation, not only to modernise outdated systems but also to meet compliance targets, reduce costs, and scale services efficiently.

AI, machine learning and automation have the potential to take transformation in new directions. These technologies are reshaping how organisations approach projects, customer engagement, and decision-making. Following AI-driven transformation, 68% of businesses report improved on-time delivery, 38% saw reduced project management costs, and 61% improved project quality.

Access the complete 2025/26 Salary Guide here

What Causes Transformation Projects to Stall

Despite growing investment, many transformation programmes still fail to achieve their intended outcomes. A fifth of UK digital transformation efforts are thwarted by a lack of long-term planning.

Other barriers include legacy systems, inconsistent leadership priorities, and limited buy-in from stakeholders. And, critically, insufficient talent continues to undermine progress.

• Short-term hiring decisions driven by cost rather than capability
• A lack of upskilling or structured training across existing teams
• Inconsistent role scoping or failure to define strategic outcomes
• Hiring generalists instead of specialists with system-specific or delivery experience

When the wrong talent is brought into a critical change initiative, it often results in poor returns on investment or worse, project abandonment.

What’s Driving Salaries in 2026

Salaries across the change and transformation market remain largely static, particularly in permanent roles, due to continued economic pressure and cautious hiring.

For contractors, day rates are under pressure, with an oversupply of candidates and fewer transformation programmes triggering competition at the mid-senior level. Still, individuals with proven delivery expertise and niche technical skills continue to command strong rates.

• Digital transformation budgets are being prioritised for talent with AI and agile capabilities
• Restructuring efforts are creating short-term project opportunities but limited long-term roles
• Budget controls are forcing hiring managers to justify investment — only high-impact hires move forward

Want the full salary benchmarks across roles and seniority? Download the full 2025/26 Salary Guide here

The Skills Employers Are Prioritising

Employers are moving away from generalist hires and are focusing tightly on the skills that directly align with project delivery. Our research shows recovery programme and project managers are increasingly sought after, particularly those with a track record of turning around underperforming initiatives.

• Agile project and programme management
• Strategic change management
• AI application and data literacy
• Business analysis for digital transformation
• Stakeholder and leadership engagement skills

For candidates, developing system expertise, cross-functional collaboration skills, and an ability to communicate measurable value is now non-negotiable.

Hiring Advice and Career Tips

For both employers and professionals in change and transformation there is plenty of competition, and opportunities. Here are our top insights to help you take advantage of market trends.

Employers:

• Focus on ROI a hire can generate, not just salary or day rate
• Understand market expectations for niche skills to avoid prolonged vacancies
• Define responsibilities and expected outcomes clearly
• Show continuous learning and growth opportunities to attract permanent hires

Professionals:

• Highlight measurable project outcomes and ROI
• Tailor experience to sector-specific language
• Demonstrate readiness across digital and AI platforms
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to influence transformation success

Download the Full Change & Transformation Salary Guide

Whether you’re hiring for a transformation project or looking for your next move, having the right market intelligence matters. Our 2025/26 guide is designed to give you those insights.

Download the full guide now to see the latest salary benchmarks, contractor day rates, and market commentary across roles.

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