Each year, Business Talent Group releases the High-End Independent Talent Report, looking across industries and business functions to analyze how business leaders deploy top independent talent to fill critical skill, expertise, and leadership gaps. Here are the key professional services trends for 2024.

Across the services sector, interim needs rose sharply over the past year, as firms cover critical gaps within their organizations. Talent with skills in operational excellence, finance, tech implementation, and market landscape are stepping in to support efficiency efforts, improve client satisfaction, and identify emerging trends and opportunities.

PROJECT CATEGORIES: Professional Services

39% Strategy

20% Operations

16% Transformation

4% Organization

21% Interim Leadership

IN-DEMAND PROJECTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Interim Leadership

Marketing and Sales

IT and Tech Transformation

Business Processes

Growth Strategy

IN-DEMAND SKILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Operational Excellence

Financial Controls, Accounting, and Audit

Market Landscape and Research

Growth Strategy

Technology and Systems Implementation

SAMPLE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROJECTS

• Lead strategy transformations for industrial clients
• Serve as an interim CFO during a search for a permanent CFO
• Serve as an interim COO to assist with post-merger integrations and improve the firm’s operational excellence
• Conduct market sizing and segmentation, define growth and key trends, and assess the competitive landscape