Business Development Managers, Digital Marketing Managers and Commercial Analysts are three skills in demand as employers take advantage of new financial year budgets to fill staffing gaps, increase sales and undertake digital projects all while remaining cost effective, says recruiting experts Hays.
In its latest Hays Quarterly Report for July to September 2015, Hays also notes that many teams have been understaffed which caused overtime to increase, but employers are now growing and want to bolster stretched departments.
“More organisations are confident and are going through a period of growth,” says Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director of Hays in Australia and New Zealand. “From multinationals to SMEs and start-ups, employers are focusing more on sales and business development rather than restructuring. They want people who can be at the forefront of their revenue growth. With the arrival of the new financial year and new ambitious growth plans, demand will be high for sales professionals, digital experts, and people who can keep costs in check.
“Employers are also recognising the need to fill staffing gaps and add key skills that will help them grow.”
Hays also points to our booming property sector as a driver of vacancy activity. “Australia’s property market is very active and employers are confidently recruiting. But candidate shortages continue and in some locations have forced employers to consider people with potential and transferable skills.”
So where is staffing demand highest? A selection of skills in demand from the Hays Quarterly Report for the July to September quarter includes:
Sales:
- The sales focus has shifted in Australia with Business Development Managers in far greater demand than pure Account Managers. More organisations want to expand, which is creating a need for industry-specific Business Development Managers with relevant contacts. The best candidates are autonomous with longevity on their CV and a proven history of growing businesses from zero up to $5 to 6 million.
- Credit Controllers are sought as sales increase and businesses need to maintain their cash flow. Candidates with dedicated experience in a credit control role who can negotiate extremely well and develop client and customer relationships are in greatest demand.
- Sales Administrators with Salesforce, SAP or other CRM systems skills, as well as Order Processors are sought. Both need a demonstrated ability to take orders via phone, email and fax, and then process and follow up.
- The commercial and residential construction industry needs experienced Specification Salespeople and Construction Products & Material Salespeople with established networks.
- Bilingual Sales Consultants are needed in the luxury retail market since the majority of shoppers are from overseas.
- Bilingual candidates are also sought within the FMCG and technology industries, especially Japanese, Mandarin and Cantonese speakers.
Digital:
- Digital Marketing Managers are sought as companies look to improve or implement a digital presence and drive consumer engagement.
- So too are Content Managers and Integrated Campaign Managers with a mix of digital and traditional skills. Employers want to execute both traditional and digital marketing across campaigns and content.
- Brand Managers with digital experience are also needed but are in short supply.
- IT Business Analysts, Project Managers and Change Managers with strong agile skills are sought for digital projects. Organisations are looking for competitive advantage by driving customers to low cost self-serve channels and redeveloping their online presence.
Cost reduction:
- Commercial Analysts are sought as companies continue to look closely at cost reduction, process improvement and increasing efficiencies. Professionals who can partner with the entire organisation are valued.
- Estimators remain in demand in the construction sector as they help deliver a cost effective product by quoting and obtaining material at a competitive price. Candidates are in high demand for project roles in the commercial, civil and infrastructure construction markets.
- Procurement Officers, Purchasing Officers and Strategic Sourcing Specialists are needed and businesses want candidates who can source strategically and implement cost saving strategies.
Property:
- Residential Property Managers who understand local legislation and can communicate positively and clearly with both landlords and tenants are in high demand. Real estate agencies are growing their property management portfolio, new residential developments are booming and investor demand is high.
- Project Architects who can manage projects, are adaptable and have CAD software skills are needed for multi-unit residential projects.
- Credit Assessors are sought by banks to process mortgage applications quickly for customers. As compliance remains a priority, exemplary credit analysis skills are required.
- Property and Construction Lawyers at the mid and Senior Associate levels are sought in private practice due to the increase in property and construction developments.
- Labourers, Plumbers, Carpenters, Electricians and ticketed Labourers are all needed to help complete projects.
Other areas of demand:
- In the education sector OOSH (Outside Of School Hours) Coordinators and OOSH Educators are in high demand since parents are working longer hours.
- In the healthcare sector Clinical Co-ordinators and Allied Health and Nursing professionals are in short supply. Experienced Social Workers with strong child protection experience and Registered Nurses are also sought.
- In life sciences there is a continuing demand for Clinical Research Associates and Senior Clinical Research Associates with experience working through Contract Research Organisations given the large pipeline of clinical research. For the same reason local multi-site independent monitoring experience is sought.
- Within insurance Claims Officers in lodgements are needed. Many locations in Australia have experienced storm events, leading to an influx of claims being registered, predominantly across residential and commercial property as well as vehicle.
To see the full list of skills in demand and trends for your industry, please visit hays.com.au/report
Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.
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For further information please contact Lucy Sharp, Regional Head of Marketing at Hays, on +61 2 8226 9885 or [email protected]