HAYS REVEALS THE TOP TEN IN-DEMAND JOBS FOR SINGAPORE

Singapore, 19 Jan 2025 – Organisations in Singapore expect to increase headcount in 2025 as employers look to fill critical skill gaps ahead of a challenging economic climate. 

According to the upcoming 2025 Hays Asia Salary Guide, 56 per cent of organisations in Singapore faced moderate to extreme skill shortages in 2024. 50 per cent of hiring managers surveyed attributed these shortages to tough competition from other employers. 

“As businesses strive to secure top talent ahead of their competitors, candidates are well-positioned to thrive in the upcoming job market,” says John Borneman, Regional Director at Hays Singapore. “In 2025, we anticipate a strong demand for intermediate and senior roles as organisations streamline their teams for greater efficiency. Additionally, there is a growing need for specialists who can implement AI and automation solutions to enhance processes, as well as professionals who can lead business expansions into emerging sectors like fintech and renewable energy.” 

Ahead of the Salary Guide’s release in February, Hays has compiled a list of ten jobs for Singapore that are seeing high demand from businesses. These jobs are listed as follows: 

1. Finance Business Partner

There has been increased hiring for Finance Business Partners in Singapore to oversee regional roles for Southeast Asia (SEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets. These positions often operate individually or manage very lean teams. 

2. Corporate Finance Director

Corporate finance directors are in high demand in Singapore due to the need for strategic financial management and expertise in navigating economic uncertainties. Additionally, sectors like fintech and renewable energy are growing, requiring specialised financial skills to support their expansion. 

3. Wealth Manager

Singapore remains a preferred location for high-net-worth (HNW) clients, with a significant increase in wealth management roles across all levels in the last quarter of 2024. While junior operations roles are increasingly being outsourced to Malaysia and India, intermediate level roles remain highly in demand. 

4. Compliance Manager

Demand for audit, risk, and compliance professionals remains strong this year due to the rise of start-ups in Singapore. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires compliance personnel for licensing applications, making such talent critical to enterprising businesses looking to setup in the country. 

5. HR Business Partners

The role of HR is evolving from administrative functions to a strategic partnership. HR Managers/Business Partners are now integral to aligning HR strategies with business objectives and driving organisational success. 

6. Head of Procurement

Singapore is navigating a shifting landscape that is affecting supply chains on a global scale. While some companies are relocating manufacturing to lower-cost Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, Singapore remains a crucial player in the global trade network due to its strategic location, world class infrastructure and skilled workforce. 

7. Senior AI/ML Engineer

Many industries are undergoing digital transformation, requiring more tech professionals to support these changes. Companies are increasingly relying on data to make informed decisions, leading to a higher demand for data analysts and scientists. Positions in AI and machine learning are seeing higher salary increments to match this demand, and engineers who can develop and implement AI solutions are currently much sought after. 

8. Cloud Security/Threat Intelligence Specialist

As AI technology advances, so too do threats that rely on such technology for the purposes of causing harm to companies. Cybersecurity remains a hot topic in Singapore as cyber threats become more sophisticated and frequent, requiring dedicated specialists who can protect cloud infrastructures and data from these risks. 

9. Business Development Manager

As Singapore’s economy evolves, businesses are looking to capitalise and expand into new areas. Competition is stiff, and professionals capable of implementing new strategies can help organisations achieve their development goals in today’s dynamic landscape. 

10. Digital Marketing Manager

This field is seeing increasing hyper-personalisation as AI and machine learning provides consumer data to organisations at a greater scale. AI & Data-Driven Marketing, Marketing Automation, Customer Lifecycle Management, and Loyalty Marketing are particularly high-demand areas this year, and organisations are on the lookout for professionals capable of filling these critical gaps. 

"With 42 per cent of organisations planning to increase their headcount this year, the demand for top talent is clearly on the rise. As competition intensifies, leaders must reassess their attraction strategies and ensure their Employee Value Propositions align with current candidate expectations to stay competitive," says John. 

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