Expert networks in 2026 are in high demand, even as overall hiring slows. Companies and investors are paying for specialized expert insights in industries facing rapid disruption, where decisions cannot rely on data alone.

They need operational reality: how regulations actually work, where supply chains fail, and what it takes to implement complex technology in real environments.

Based on Arches’ global project data, we have pinpointed 5 key industries where your specific knowledge is a high-value market asset.

1. Healthcare & Life Sciences

The global healthcare and life sciences sectors are rapidly transforming, facing structural complexity, digital acceleration, evolving regulations, and shifting market access. 

A 2026 outlook emphasizes regulatory change as a top global strategic influence, with non-U.S. leaders citing national policy reforms on pricing and access, and AI integration directly impacting operations. This convergence of policy, technology, and commercial pressure is increasing the need for specialized expert guidance.

Figure 1: Major trends influencing Healthcare & Life Sciences organizations’ operational strategies in 2026. (Deloitte)

What topics need expert insights?

• Market Access & Reimbursement

Clients need experts who go beyond standard pricing guidelines to explain how payers actually behave. Demand is focused on navigating the shift to value-based healthcare, addressing pricing challenges, and predicting how budget cuts in specific markets (e.g., EU, APAC) will impact drug approvals and payment.

• Regulatory Strategy & Grey Zones

Demand is high for experts who can clarify “unwritten” approval steps and navigate the specific, unspoken expectations of local Ministries of Health to avoid costly approval delays.

• Digital Health Commercialization & Integration

There is a gap between “selling” a digital tool and getting a hospital to actually use it. Clients seek experts who have integrated AI or digital health tools into real clinical workflows, dealing with interoperability, clinician adoption, and ROI justification.

Top roles in demand

• Regulatory Affairs Manager (FDA / EMA / APAC)
• Market Access & Pricing Lead
• Digital Health Product Manager
• Clinical Operations Manager
• Others frequently requested: Medical Affairs Manager; MedTech R&D Engineer; Health Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR) Specialist; Biotech Research Scientist / Regulatory Interface Manager; Hospital Procurement Manager

2. Technology

The excitement around AI is cooling, and reality is setting in. Many companies are realizing that AI success depends less on the model and more on data readiness and infrastructure. 

Gartner predicts 30% of GenAI projects will be abandoned by 2026, primarily due to poor data infrastructure, not the AI models themselves. This is driving strong demand for experts who have built, migrated, and operated large-scale cloud and data platforms.

What topics need expert insights?

• Cloud Infrastructure & Modern Architecture

Decisions about hybrid cloud, multi-cloud strategy, and confidential computing require insight into real workloads, migrations, and compliance across global environments.

• Cybersecurity & Digital Trust

As systems become more interconnected and AI-enabled, exposure increases. Experts who have dealt with security incidents, zero-trust models, and AI-augmented threat detection are needed to help assess real operational risk, not theoretical frameworks.

• AI & Generative AI Integration

Organizations are moving beyond pilots to embed AI into product and operational workflows. Practical experience from on-the-ground experts helps quantify impact, risks, and governance challenges.

Top roles in demand

• Cloud Solutions Architect
• Cybersecurity Strategy Lead
• AI / Machine Learning Lead
• Data Privacy & Compliance Manager
• Others frequently requested: Generative AI Product Manager, DevOps / Platform Engineering Manager, Digital Trust / Confidential Computing Specialist, Enterprise Architecture Lead

3. Financial Services

Modern banking is no longer just about basic digital transactions

By 2026, core activities such as payments, lending, risk management, and compliance are increasingly powered by AI, automation, and APIs. At the same time, regulators are raising expectations around transparency, data use, and operational resilience.As traditional models fail to keep pace with these real-time complexities, clients are actively seeking experts who have worked inside the intersection of digital innovation and strict regulation.

What topics need expert insights?

• Embedded Finance 

Finance is becoming “invisible,” integrating directly from e-commerce to mobility apps. Practical insight is needed to manage partner risk, API operational design, and the technical reality of third-party integration.

• Real-Time Risk & Credit

As private credit grows and transaction speeds increase, legacy models fall behind. Domain expertise is needed to build dynamic risk underwriting systems that react to market changes in seconds.

Top roles in demand

• Fintech Product Manager
• Digital Banking Operations Lead
• Risk & Compliance Specialist
• Payments / Embedded Finance Lead

4. Consumer Goods & Retail

Retail has shifted from “trend chasing” to “precision execution.” According to the National Retail Federation’s 2026 outlook, success now depends on mastering AI-driven forecasting, autonomous supply chains, and hyper-personalized experiences. 

Companies are investing in practitioners who have successfully implemented these technologies in the real world to solve complex operational challenges.

What topics need expert insights?

• Omnichannel Fulfillment & Supply Chain Resilience

As fulfillment expectations rise and supply networks become volatile, retailers need professionals experienced in hybrid supply models, real-time inventory orchestration, and seamless online-to-offline execution

• Consumer Behavior & Generational Shifts

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping shopping preferences, demanding personalized, socially conscious, and frictionless experiences. Clients want experts who understand how behavioral shifts translate into measurable sales, loyalty, and channel strategies.

Top roles in demand

• E-commerce & Omnichannel Strategy Lead
• Retail Operations & Fulfillment Manager
• Consumer Insights / Behavioral Analyst
• AI/ML Retail Systems Specialist
• Others frequently requested: Category & Pricing Manager; Retail Supply Chain & Planning Lead; Digital Product / Engagement Manager; Retail Technology Integration Lead

5. Manufacturing

Manufacturing in 2026 is under pressure to do more than produce at scale. Companies are being forced to modernize operations, reduce risk, and build resilience at the same time.

According to Deloitte, manufacturers globally are accelerating investment in automation, data, AI, and digital production systems to stay competitive amid supply chain volatility, labor shortages, and policy uncertainty.

What topics need expert insights?

• Smart Manufacturing & Agentic AI 

Factories are moving beyond basic automation to Agentic AI, systems that can autonomously reason, plan, and react to disruptions. Experts are needed to validate where productivity improves, where it doesn’t, and how long implementation realistically takes.

• Digital Execution on the Factory Floor

Many transformation programs stall during rollout. Clients value experts who have integrated systems across machines, software, and teams, and know how to avoid costly operational disruptions.

Top roles in demand

• Industrial Automation & Robotics Engineer
• Supply Chain Strategy & Risk Lead
• Plant / Operations Manager
• Smart Manufacturing / MES Integration Specialist
• Procurement & Sourcing Manager

What Working With Arches Looks Like

If you have never consulted before, the process is far simpler than most expect. It is designed to respect your time and primary career.

• Format: A 1-on-1 conversation (typically 60 minutes).
• Focus: Your direct experience, what you have seen, managed, and learned.
• Preparation: None. There are no slide decks, no deliverables, and no “homework.”

→ Check our Expert Guide For Professionals Collaborating With Arches

Why This Is Relevant to You

If you work in one of the five industries highlighted above, there is a strong chance your experience has value beyond your current role.

Participating in an expert network is a professional way to:

• Earn additional income by sharing their perspective
• Engage with global investors and strategy teams
• Develop clearer thinking by answering structured, high-level questions

There is no need to build a personal brand or create content to be valuable here. You simply need to be open to sharing what you know.

Interested in seeing how your experience could fit? 

→ Join the Arches Expert Network

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