The most in-demand jobs in the UK: LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2022
Posted 18th January 2022 • Written by linkedin.com • • • • •
Find out the 20 fastest-growing job titles in the UK over the past five years and the trends defining the future of work.
From digitalisation to hybrid offices, work is changing rapidly in the UK and across the world, and it has only been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the necessary innovation in its wake. Industries have been transformed, and many workers have quit their jobs in search of something new. These shifts have ignited what we’ve called the #GreatReshuffle, leaving professionals wondering where the workforce is going and what role they want to play in it.
Our 2022 LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise list uncovers the 20 fastest-growing job titles in the UK over the past five years. The huge transformations of those years are evident in the roles that make the list, with a growth in areas including technology, public health and logistics influenced by both the pandemic and Brexit.
To put together the ranking, we looked at LinkedIn data to calculate the job titles experiencing the highest growth rates from January 2017 to July 2021. To be ranked, jobs needed to see consistent growth across our membership base, as well as have grown to a meaningful size by 2021. (You can learn more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.)
Under each job title, you’ll find insights around the skills these roles need, the average years of experience people had prior to landing their role and where the UK hotspots are for these jobs. If working remotely is non-negotiable, you’ll also find what remote job availability looks like. Plus, you can check out open jobs or dig into courses – 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. You can also prepare to find that next role by joining our series of expert live events or taking these courses, available for free until 31 January.
Most importantly, this list goes beyond jobseekers. It’s a glimpse of what’s on the horizon: uncovering where the future of work is going and where long-term opportunities await.
Check out this year’s 20 most in-demand job titles in the UK and join the conversation using #JobsontheRise.
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1. Customs Officer
What they do: Working in UK ports and airports, customs officers help prevent the importation of illegal and dangerous goods, including firearms, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and endangered animals | Most common skills: Customs Regulations, Logistics Management, Customs Valuation, Time Management | Top locations hiring: London, Derby, Worksop | Current gender distribution: 46.7% male; 53.3% female | Median years of experience: 4.6 | Top roles transitioned from: Customer Service Representative, Import Specialist | Remote job availability: 3.2%
▶︎ See open jobs
2. Machine Learning Engineer
What they do: Machine learning engineers develop and implement self-running artificial intelligence algorithms and systems for products and applications. | Most common skills: Deep Learning, TensorFlow, Machine Learning, Python | Top locations hiring: London, Cambridge, Edinburgh | Current gender distribution: 80.6% male; 19.4% female | Median years of experience: 3.3 | Top roles transitioned from: Data Scientist, Software Engineer, Data Engineer | Remote job availability: 18.1%
▶︎ See open jobs | See relevant courses: Machine Learning Specialist
3. Import Specialist
Similar titles include Import Manager, Import Clerk, Freight Forwarder, Import Export Specialist, etc.
What they do: Import specialists work closely with national and international suppliers and agents, shipping goods to and from the UK by road, rail, air and sea. | Most common skills: Freight Forwarding, Customs Regulations, International Logistics | Top locations hiring: London, Felixstowe, Manchester, Dover | Current gender distribution: 45.5% male; 54.5% female | Median years of experience: 6.4 | Top roles transitioned from: Supply Chain Coordinator, Account Manager, Customer Service Representative | Remote job availability: 3.4%
▶︎ See open jobs
4. Business Development Representative
Similar titles include Strategy Associate, etc.
What they do: Business development representatives are usually early-career salespeople responsible for identifying and reaching out to prospective clients. | Most common skills: Lead Generation, Sales, Account Management | Top locations hiring: London, Manchester, Reading | Current gender distribution: 63.9% male; 36.1% female | Median years of experience: 3.6 | Top roles transitioned from: Account Manager, Salesperson, Business Development Executive | Remote job availability: 21.8%
▶︎ See open jobs
5. Chief Human Resources Officer
Similar titles include Head of Talent Management, Chief People Officer, Vice President of Human Resources, Director of HR Operations, etc.
What they do: Chief human resources officers develop and execute the HR strategy and direction of an organisation, particularly in areas of talent acquisition, organisational management and training and development. | Most common skills: Succession Planning, Culture Change, Talent Management, Employee Engagement | Top locations hiring: London, Greater Manchester, Leeds | Current gender distribution: 26.1% male; 73.9% female | Median years of experience: 17.7 | Top roles transitioned from: Human Resources Director, Head of Human Resources, Vice President Human Resources | Remote job availability: 13.7%
▶︎ See open jobs | See relevant courses: HR management and leadership
6. Site Reliability Engineer
What they do: 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. | Most common skills: Terraform, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Top locations hiring: London, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne | Current gender distribution: 87.2% male; 12.8% female | Median years of experience: 8.1 | Top roles transitioned from: DevOps Consultant, Software Engineer, System Administrator | Remote job availability: 41.3%
▶︎ See open jobs | See relevant courses: DevOps Engineering
7. Sustainability Manager
What they do: Sustainability managers analyse and forecast the environmental impact of an organisation and its activities, aiming to oversee and implement effective sustainability strategies. | Most common skills: Sustainable Development, BREEAM, Sustainability Reporting, Environmental Awareness | Top locations hiring: London, Manchester, Bristol | Current gender distribution: 46.7% male; 53.3% female | Median years of experience: 5.7 | Top roles transitioned from: Environmental Consultant, Environment, Health and Safety Manager, Project Manager | Remote job availability: 8.3%
▶︎ See open jobs | See relevant courses on sustainability
8. Career Counsellor
Similar titles include Careers Advisor, etc.
What they do: Career counsellors work with people who have questions about different careers and educational paths, using a range of tools to help their clients find the right role. | Most common skills: Coaching, Career Development, Training Delivery | Top locations hiring: London, Birmingham, Manchester | Current gender distribution: 35% male; 65% female | Median years of experience: 6.8 | Top roles transitioned from: Recruitment Consultant, Recruiter, Teacher | Remote job availability: 20.6%
▶︎ See open jobs
9. Content Designer
Similar titles include Content Coordinator, Brand Designer, etc.
What they do: Content designers work on websites and apps to create, evaluate, update and review content at all stages of the end-to-end user journey. | Most common skills: User Experience (UX), Content Strategy, Web Content Writing | Top locations hiring: London, Edinburgh, Manchester | Current gender distribution: 43.1% male; 56.9% female | Median years of experience: 9.0 | Top roles transitioned from: Copywriter, Editor, Content Manager | Remote job availability: 21.6%
▶︎ See open jobs
10. Client Solutions Manager
Similar titles include Client Account Manager, etc.
What they do: Client solutions managers work on both business development and client engagement, maintaining stakeholder relationships and coordinating teams to ensure projects are delivered effectively, in line with a client’s needs. | Most common skills: Account Management, Business Development, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) | Top locations hiring: London, Brighton, Leeds | Current gender distribution: 55.0% male; 45.0% female | Median years of experience: 6.7 | Top roles transitioned from: Account Manager, Director of Account Management, Business Development Manager | Remote job availability: 7.0%