, Singapore

These are the skills in demand right now in Singapore

By Christine Wright

Singapore’s jobs market has bounced back to high levels of activity following the slowdown in the recruitment process during Chinese New Year. Now that the pace of hiring is picking up again, will your skills be in demand?

In accountancy & finance we are seeing many roles in commerce with employers recruiting Corporate Finance specialists who have the ability to manage finances from a strategic level.

There is a healthy market for Junior Financial Analysts who have Big 4 experience as organisations in the oil & gas and manufacturing sectors are seeking to manage their cash flows more closely. Cost Analysts and Accountants are also in demand.

We’re continuing to see high demand for Management Consulting professionals as consulting is a growth area within professional services firms.

Many multinational enterprises are building their regional internal audit centres in Singapore and this is creating demand for experienced Internal Auditors who have multiple language skills and are willing to travel extensively. Indirect Tax specialists, Regulatory Reporting professionals and Product Controllers are also sought after.

We are seeing an increase in hiring activity in the banking sector now that most firms have paid out bonuses. Hiring managers are particularly interested in Commodity Physical Operators as commodity firms are building up their trading capability in Singapore.

Most tier-one banks are focusing on client onboarding in their private and investment banking departments. This is creating demand for Client onboarding specialists who can help ensure the banks are in line with MAS and FATCA regulations. Demand also exists for compliance specialists and Private Banking Relationship Managers.

In construction, we’re seeing a high demand for Senior Quantity Surveyors who have a stable employment record and are able to complete a project from tender to final accounts.

Commercial Managers who can lead teams and restructure internal systems while focusing on their core responsibilities such as procurement, submitting claims, and tendering are also highly sought. Tunnel Managers and Project Managers with MRT experience continue to be in demand.

We’re also seeing high demand for IT talent as banks look to tighten security due to increasing regulation and public concerns about how customers’ personal data is used. Private banks are hiring Cyber Security professionals to ensure their systems are robust and customers are protected.

We are also seeing high demand for Digital/Mobile Banking specialists due to the rapid shift toward digital banking. Demand is also strong for Agile Software Developers and roles in Business Facing Application Support and Trade Processing.

These are just some of the many skills currently sought by employers in Singapore. Jobs opportunities are also available in legal, contact centres, human resources, insurance, life sciences, procurement, office professionals, engineering, property, sales & marketing, oil & gas, and supply chain.

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