LinkedIn: Chief HR officer emerges as Australia's fastest-growing job

The position of chief human resources officer (CHRO) led the list of fastest-growing jobs in Australia over the past five years, according to a list compiled and released by LinkedIn. The 2022 LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise showed which positions saw the highest growth rates from January 2017 through July 2021. 

"To be ranked, a job title needed to see consistent growth across our membership base, as well as have grown to a meaningful size by 2021," read the list's methodology.

Emerging on top of the list was the position of CHRO, followed by machine learning engineer, and then site reliability engineer. The position of head of engineering stood out for having the highest cap on salary range from $137,000 to $236,000. 

Here are the top 15, with a briefing of their job descriptions and salary range, as listed by LinkedIn:

1. Chief Human Resources Officer
   • This senior role is responsible for setting and delivering an HR strategy as well as leading and supporting the company’s team of HR managers.
   • Salary Range: Not sufficient data
2. Machine Learning Engineer
   • Machine Learning Engineers develop and implement self-running artificial intelligence algorithms and systems for products and applications.
   • Salary Range: $50,000-$229,000

3. Site Reliability Engineer
   • Site Reliability Engineers create and implement automated software tools to maximise a system's reliability and efficiency, working closely with software development and IT operations.
   • Salary Range: $85,000-$176,000

4. Power System Engineer
   • Increasingly employed by energy firms focused on renewable sources, Power System Engineers design systems to provide power for residential and commercial use.
   • Salary Range: $74,900-$150,000

5. Data Engineer
   • Data engineers build and maintain data storage systems that are used by data scientists and other stakeholders in the company.
   • Salary Range: $81,000-$147,000

6. Talent Acquisition Specialist
   • Talent Acquisition Specialists focus on long-term strategy to attract, source, hire and onboard new talent within an organisation.
   • Salary Range:  $70,200-$123,000

7. Business Development Representative
   • Business Development Representatives are usually early-career salespeople responsible for identifying and reaching out to prospective clients.
   • Salary Range: $50,200-$84,500

8. Content Designer
   • Content designers shape the experience of a user of digital products through the use of text, images, video and other content.
   • Salary Range: Data not available.

9. Cyber Security Specialist
   • Cyber Security Specialists are IT professionals who protect a firm’s data and intellectual property from online scams, hacking and ransomware attacks.
   • Salary Range: Data not available.

10. Client Partner
    • Client Partners are the conduit between a company and its strategic and financial partnerships and are entrusted with building and maintaining relationships.
    • Salary Range: Data not available.

11. Back End Developer
    • Back End Developers build and code the server-side technology that powers front-end web and mobile applications.
    • Salary Range: Data not available.

12. Operations Support Officer
    • Operations Support Officers provide administrative support to a variety of teams to ensure the business runs smoothly and efficiently.
    • Salary Range: $49,700-$84,800

13. Workforce Specialist
    • A Workforce Specialist develops strategies for a company’s hiring practices, management of ongoing staffing needs and onboarding.
    • Salary Range: Data not available

14. Head of Engineering
    • A tech-based role, the Head of Engineering oversees a team of engineers designing and developing a company’s suite of digital products.
    • Salary Range: $137,000-$236,000

15. User Experience Researcher
    • User Experience Researchers analyse user motivations, preferences and behaviours to help inform business strategy and product development.
    • Salary Range: $56,800-$161,000

Read more: LinkedIn reveals Australia's Top Companies 2019

According to LinkedIn, the list is meant to a "resource" for the public to give them an idea into where the workforce is heading.

"No matter what stage of your career you're in, this list provides insight into where the workforce is heading and where long-term opportunity lies — whether you're looking to make a career pivot, get back into the workforce, or invest in skills that will prepare you for the future," LinkedIn said.