Discover The Most In-Demand Jobs For 2025 

 
2024 was a landmark year. Global geopolitical shifts had far-reaching impacts on businesses worldwide. Technological advancements continued to challenge the status quo, pushing organisations to adapt or risk obsolescence. All of this is impacting professionals in Singapore who are expected to broaden their skillsets laterally and embrace new tools and innovative ways of working to enhance and optimise existing processes. 
 

Organisations Are Prioritising The Need For Skilled Employees To Tackle Future Challenges

56% of organisations in Singapore faced moderate to extreme skill shortages last year. Half of hiring managers surveyed for our 2025 Salary Guide attributed this to a competitive hiring landscape, with companies vying for limited talent resources. This competition is set to continue in 2025, with 42% of businesses expecting to increase their headcount, a notable rise compared to 2024. While we will be looking to explore deeper recruitment trends for Singapore in our upcoming 2025 Salary Guide, we wanted to give job candidates a preview of the most in-demand roles for businesses this year. We spoke to our recruiting experts to learn why these roles are currently experiencing high demand.
 
Singapore’s Top Ten In-Demand Jobs For 2025 Are:
 

Contents

  1. Finance Business Partner
  2. Corporate Finance Director
  3. Wealth Manager
  4. Compliance Manager
  5. Business Development Manager
  6. Digital Marketing Manager
  7. HR Business Partners
  8. Head of Procurement
  9. Senior AI/ML Engineer
  10. Cloud Security/Threat Intelligence Specialist
 

1. Finance Business Partner

  • What does a Finance Business Partner do?
    • Finance Business Partners play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the finance department and other business units within an organisation. They provide financial insights and strategic advice to help different departments make informed decisions that align with the company's financial goals.
  • What skills does a Finance Business Partner need?
    • Essential skills include being able to accurately analyse data and identify trends, maintaining good relations across multiple stakeholders, familiarity with financial tools and being able to adapt to changing business environments and needs.
  • Why are Finance Business Partners in-demand today?
    • 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.

Kelly Wee, Business Director for Accountancy & Finance
Connect with Kelly
Explore Finance Business Partner jobs

 

2. Corporate Finance Director 

  • What does a Corporate Finance Director do? 
    • A Corporate Finance Director is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the financial health and strategy of an organisation. These senior executives play a pivotal role in ensuring financial stability and growth by providing strategic financial guidance and managing financial risks. 
  • What skills does a Corporate Finance Director need? 
    • Professionals at this level are expected to be acutely knowledgeable about financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, possess leadership skills to manage teams and be familiar with financial regulations and compliance requirements. 
  • Why are Corporate Finance Directors in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

Kelly Wee, Business Director for Accountancy & Finance
Connect with Kelly
Explore Corporate Finance Director jobs   

 

3. Wealth Manager 

  • What does a Wealth Manager do? 
    • Wealth Managers provide comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and families. These professionals play a crucial role in helping clients achieve their financial goals and preserve their wealth through personalised strategies and expert guidance. 
  • What skills does a Wealth Manager need? 
    • Wealth Managers are expected to have deep knowledge of investment products and markets, strong analytical skills to assess financial situations, excellent communication skills to explain complex financial concepts, and a thorough understanding of tax laws and estate planning. 
  • Why are Wealth Managers in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

Neem Lock, Business Director for Banking & Financial Services
Connect with Neem
Explore Wealth Manager jobs

 

4. Compliance Manager

  • What does a Compliance Manager do? 
    • Compliance Managers help to ensure that an organisation adheres to legal standards and internal policies. These managers play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and ethical standards of the organisation by overseeing compliance programs and mitigating risks. 
  • What skills does a Compliance Manager need?
    • Professionals in this role are expected to have a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements and industry standards, strong analytical skills to assess compliance risks, excellent communication skills to educate and train employees, and attention to detail to ensure accurate monitoring and reporting. Additionally, they should possess strong ethical standards, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and a commitment to staying updated on changes in laws and regulations. 
  • Why are Compliance Managers in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

Neem Lock, Business Director for Banking & Financial Services
Connect with Neem
Explore Compliance Manager jobs 

5. Business Development Manager 

  • What does a Business Development Manager do? 
    • Business Development Managers play a crucial role in expanding the company's market presence and building strategic partnerships. They conduct market research to identify potential opportunities, generate leads and build a pipeline of prospects, manage relationships with key stakeholders and partners, develop and implement strategic plans to achieve business goals, and forecast sales to guide business decisions. 
  • What skills does a Business Development Manager need? 
    • Professionals in this role are expected to have strong analytical skills to assess market trends and opportunities, excellent communication and negotiation skills to build and maintain relationships, strategic thinking abilities to develop effective business plans, and sales acumen to drive revenue growth. 
  • Why are Business Development Managers in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

Patrick Yap, Senior Manager for Sales
Connect with Patrick
Explore Business Development Manager jobs

 

6. Digital Marketing Manager 

  • What does a Digital Marketing Manager do? 
    • Digital Marketing Managers develop and implementing marketing strategies to promote a company's products or services. These executives play a key role in driving brand awareness, generating leads, and supporting sales efforts. 
  • What skills does a Digital Marketing Manager need? 
    • Professionals in this role are expected to have strong analytical skills to interpret market data, creativity to develop compelling marketing materials, proficiency in digital marketing tools and platforms, and excellent communication skills to convey marketing messages effectively. 
  • Why are Digital Marketing Manager in-demand today? 
    • We can’t talk about sales and neglect marketing’s roles in driving business value! 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. 

Dion Lee, Team Manager for Sales & Marketing
Connect with Dion
Explore Digital Marketing Manager jobs

 

7. HR Business Partners (HRBP) 

  • What does a HRBP do? 
    • An HR Business Partner (HRBP) is a strategic role responsible for aligning human resources practices with business objectives to drive organisational success. These professionals play a key role in fostering a productive and engaged workforce by partnering with business leaders and providing expert HR guidance. 
  • What skills does a HRBP need? 
    • Professionals in this role are expected to have a deep understanding of HR practices and business operations, strong analytical skills to assess workforce needs, excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with stakeholders, and the ability to influence and drive change. Additionally, they should possess strategic thinking abilities, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to fostering a positive organisational culture. 
  • Why are HRBPs in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

Priscilla Fong, Business Manager for Human Resources
Connect with Priscilla
Explore HR Business Partner jobs

 

8. Head of Procurement

  • What does a Head of Procurement do? 
    • Heads of Procurement are responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that align with business goals, manage relationships with key suppliers, negotiate contracts to secure favourable terms, identify and mitigate procurement risks, and lead and mentor procurement teams. 
  • What skills does a Head of Procurement need? 
    • Professionals in this role are expected to have strong analytical skills to assess market conditions and supplier performance, excellent negotiation skills to secure the best deals, strategic thinking abilities to develop effective procurement plans, and a thorough understanding of supply chain management. Additionally, they should possess strong leadership skills to manage and develop their teams, the ability to work collaboratively with other departments, and a commitment to ethical procurement practices and sustainability. 
  • Why are Heads of Procurement in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

Belinder Kaur, Senior Manager for Supply Chain & Procurement
Connect with Belinder
Explore Head of Procurement jobs

9. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer 

  • What does an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer do? 
    • AI and ML Engineers design, develop, and deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning models to solve complex problems and drive innovation within an organisation. Senior engineers are responsible for developing and implementing advanced AI/ML models, analysing large datasets to extract meaningful insights and designing algorithms to address specific business challenges. 
  • What skills does an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer need? 
    • Professionals in this role are expected to have strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, and Java, deep knowledge of machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, and expertise in data analysis and statistical methods. Additionally, they should possess excellent problem-solving abilities, the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, and a commitment to staying updated with the latest advancements in AI and machine learning technologies. 
  • Why are Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineers in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

 

10. Cloud Security/Threat Intelligence Specialist 

  • What does a Cloud Security/Threat Intelligence Specialist do? 
    • Cloud Security Specialists play a crucial role in identifying, analysing, and mitigating security risks to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of cloud-based systems. Threat Intelligence specialists take on a more generalist role, and are responsible for threat detection, risk assessment, incident response, security architecture, and compliance. 
  • What skills does a Cloud Security/Threat Intelligence Specialist need? 
    • Professionals in these roles are expected to have strong knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, expertise in cybersecurity principles and practices, and proficiency in threat intelligence tools and techniques. Additionally, they should possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work collaboratively with IT and security teams, and a commitment to continuous learning to stay updated with the latest security trends and threats. Strong communication skills are also essential to effectively convey security issues and solutions to stakeholders. 
  • Why are Cloud Security/Threat Intelligence Specialists in-demand today? 
    • 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. 

Looking for more recruitment insights? Our 2025 Salary Guide features in-depth analysis for jobs that are in demand across 15 different specialisms in Singapore, China, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia and Thailand. Get updates on the latest recruitment challenges organisations face today, and how professionals can stand out from the competition. Learn how salaries have changed over the past year, and how much you can expect to earn in your position today. 

 

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