Hong Kong Career Blog

A wealth of job opportunities isn’t far away when you’re in the Asia Pacific region. In Hong Kong, we’ve got more job offerings and requests for qualified applicants this week.  Here are some of our latest, most attractive positions for which our clients are recruiting in Hong Kong:

1. Business Analyst — European MNC

Our client is a leading and well-respected broadcaster of news and lifestyle consumer programmes. An exciting and newly created position now exists for a dynamic Business Analyst to join the accounting & finance team.

Reporting to the Senior Finance & Administration Manager, you will focus on financial analysis for the Asia Pacific Regions business. Working closely with the regional operation and sales teams, you will identify and implement improvements to better the quality and efficiency of the business.You will also be required to work with the general ledger team on the groups consolidation.

To qualify, individuals must possess:

• A university degree and an internationally recognised accounting qualification
• A minimum of 5 years of management accounting experience
• Exposure gained from the media or broadcasting industry
• Energy, initiative and a willingness to take on responsibility
• Excellent English and fluency in Cantonese and Mandarin advantageous

2. Product Manager — Travel Retail

Our client is a niche but widely recognized skincare company. Relatively new in the region the brand continues to capture a loyal and developing pool of consumers. A new and exciting role has been created for a sales or marketing professional to join the team as Product Manager.

Based in Hong Kong and reporting to the Head of Marketing you will be responsible for performing product management duties for the AP region with particular emphasis on the travel retail sector. Responsibilities include new product launch set ups, sales forecasting, inventory management, sales analysis and the development of product marketing collateral. Internally you will work with sales and merchandising on point of sales opportunity, visual set ups and counter design. This is a rare opportunity for a dynamic junior candidate to join a unique organization with regional exposure.

To qualify individuals must possess:

• 3+ year’s marketing/sales experience
• Skincare or travel retail experience preferred
• International mindset
• Excellent analytical and project management skills
• Native English
• University degree

To find out more about these jobs and to search for other openings, please visit our job search page at Ambition Hong Kong.

Recent news suggests that Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian markets are still fairing better than their Western counterparts as jobs continue to move east.  We are still getting more and more requests to search for candidates in the APAC region and each week we will continue to feature some of our latest, most attractive job opportunities.   Below are some of the newest positions for which our clients are recruiting in Hong Kong:

1. Compliance Manager (Temp-to-Perm)

Our client is a leading European investment bank with a strong presence in Asia. As part of continued business growth, they are now looking for a Compliance Manager to join their team in Hong Kong with the opportunity to convert to permanent.

You will be responsible for performing trade surveillance and monitoring the banks trading activities. In addition, you will also be required to carry out other project work within the Compliance department whenever necessary. Our client is looking for an individual who will enhance compliance and regulations within the business.

To qualify, individuals must possess:

• A university degree
• 3 to 4 years of working experience in Compliance, preferably in an investment bank
• Strong knowledge of local regulatory requirements
• Ability to work efficiently independently and within a team
• Excellent communication skills in English and interpersonal skills
• Available to start immediately

2. Senior Finance Manager, Team Leader, Retail Banking & Wealth Management

Our client is a fast-expanding Retail and Wholesale Bank with a strong commitment to build out a world-class Retail Banking and Wealth Management businesses in Asia. As part of this strategic growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Finance Manager to head up a Business Finance team, based in Hong Kong.

Reporting to the Head of Finance for Hong Kong, you will lead and manage a team of experienced Finance Managers to support the Retail and Wealth Management businesses on financial planning, financial reporting and management information. You will work closely with the business on budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, strategic planning, cost management and product accounting. In addition, you will provide in-depth business performance analysis, advise the business on financial projections, revenue and cost initiatives and provide accurate and timely financial management information. You will also play an active role in management information system improvement works.

To qualify, individuals must possess:

• A university degree and a professional accounting qualification
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Financial Control, Management Accounting and / or Business Finance
• Experience in Retail Banking, Wealth Management or Private Banking is a must
• Team leadership and management experience
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in English

To find out more about these jobs and to search for other openings, please visit our job search page at Ambition Hong Kong.

“Western banks pay out for Asia Talent” was a headline that grabbed me on the front page of the Financial Times this week (29 March 2010). The article focused on ‘big salaries for top bankers in the region’ and ‘competition leading to pre-crisis wage offers’. 

Although this referred to front line banking professionals on multi-million packages, it occurred to me that we should pass comment on banking industry pay for Ambition’s areas of specialisation in the sector: accounting, finance, operations and marketing & communications.

As we have posted before, the Asian markets are rebounding from the economic downturn faster than their Western counterparts and this in turn is beginning to manifest in a shortage of talent in the banking and financial services sector

It’s been a bruising 12-18 months within the banking & financial services employment sector but the hiring tap was firmly back on in Asia as early as May last year.

What’s important to point out is that base pay for those who retained their jobs never really went down. It was those who were unfortunately made redundant during the financial crisis that may have settled for lower base pay simply to get back into employment. If those individuals are still being underpaid relative to the market, you can almost guarantee they are looking around now.

Pay reviews in Q1 2010 broadly revealed very modest pay increases, if any, from banks & financial institutions. It was only those who were significantly underpaid or whose job had materially changed that were rewarded with raises.

It’s a different matter for those switching employer and I’m afraid we’re back into the cycle of skills shortages once again and relatively attractive pay hikes. In Q1 2010, Ambition has frequently been seeing 15 to 20% pay increases to jump ship.

On to the subject of bonuses, accountants, operations, audit, risk, compliance, marketing & communications professionals all have a much lighter back pocket from variable pay than front office bankers. That said, there’s been some very reasonable payouts of late but on average you won’t see these professionals earning more than 50% of base.

So when you read headlines about banking pay, don’t assume all employees fall into the same category.

For banking and financial services jobs which Ambition is currently handling, please visit Ambition Hong Kong or Ambition Singapore.