Singapore's top jobs in demand for 2019 to be analytics, data-driven: Robert Walters

SINGAPORE hiring is likely to see stable growth in 2019, with top jobs in demand to be analytical and data-driven in nature, according to the latest annual salary survey by recruitment firm Robert Walters.

These include data scientists, product management, user experience (UX) designers, and digital roles, with cybersecurity to remain a major focus, in the wake of recent high-profile cyberattacks in Singapore.

The report also found that job movers in Singapore can expect pay increments of 5 -15 per cent in 2019, and larger hikes can be expected for candidates with specialised skill sets in IT, digital and financial services.

Among employers, HR professionals with strong experience in HR technologies, as well as talent acquisition professionals for the technology sector will be sought after.

Hiring levels for jobs in financial services will also remain positive, with a continued focus on technical and commercial skill sets. Demand will be high for skilled contracting professionals, trade finance professionals in corporate banking, investment and research analysts, and IT professionals in the financial services sector, said Robert Walters.

In addition, sales and marketing professionals with big data, digital, e-commerce and transformation experience will be in increasing demand as companies continue their digitalisation efforts.

With a limited talent pool, competition will intensify for specialists such as Singaporeans qualified with international and cross-border experience and knowledge in areas such as product management, technology law and blockchain, as well as supply chain and procurement professionals with niche skill sets.

According to Robert Walters, the accounting and finance sector will see a demand for professionals with tax compliance and change management expertise, with skillsets in demand including a strong technical understanding and familiarity of regulatory rules, stakeholder engagement and management skills.

In the engineering sector, more jobs are expected to emerge as oil and gas prices recover, said Robert Walters. Strong demand is anticipated for professionals in the semiconductor, medical devices, consumer electronics and manufacturing industries, especially in the research & development departments.

"The best candidates look for roles they can grow into. Employers who can demonstrate that they have the right teams and systems in place to support a candidate's success in a role are better positioned to secure top talent," said Rob Bryson, Robert Walters managing director for Singapore.