Singapore’s life sciences sector is experiencing elevated hiring activity as overseas-based pharmaceutical companies continue to base their regional head offices here. According to recruiting experts Hays Life Sciences, this is leading to a spike in demand for regularly affairs, sales and marketing professionals in Singapore.
As noted in the latest Hays Quarterly Report of skills in demand, while global consolidation is having an impact locally, the shortage of talent within life sciences continues to fuel ongoing demand.
“We’re seeing major consolidation activity in the life sciences sector globally with mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures beginning to impact the Asian recruitment market,” says Lynne Roeder, Managing Director of Hays in Singapore.
“But at the same time we’re seeing a shortage of local candidates, which is leading to a rising number of senior vacancies across many pharmaceutical and device organisations. A number of candidates have left the industry, which is creating higher demand for the professionals who remain. This is most notable in regulatory, medical and compliance functions.”
According to Lynne, the recent pre-election hold on foreign employment pass applications has also created fierce competition for experienced and local life sciences professionals across all functions.
“Typically multinational life science employers in Singapore will source niche talent both locally and overseas. However the hold on foreign employment pass applications has led to employers competing for a finite pool of local candidates.”
In terms of the specific candidates in demand, Lynne says regularly affairs is at the top of the list. “Given Singapore’s position as a regional hub for most multinational organisations, the greatest demand is for regulatory affairs professionals with strong leadership skills and wide geographic submission experience.
“Commercial opportunities within the pharmaceutical and medical device areas have been increasing along with the hiring criteria for sales representatives. Candidates in demand must have a solid scientific education, excellent communication skills and strong commercial integrity as well as a driver’s licence and their own transportation.
“Manufacturing professionals with biologics expertise are also in high demand to work for a growing number of new organisations establishing and qualifying manufacturing plants in Singapore. These new ventures are producing high value biological pharmaceutical products utilising novel specialist technologies.
“Marketing professionals with strong scientific communication experience are needed too in response to the patient-driven push towards content marketing.
“HEOR, market access and public policy are also hot role functions helping organisations stay competitive,” she said.
In terms of candidate trends, Lynne says people are increasingly aware of the importance of developing the skills they need to grow their careers in Singapore. “We have seen more life sciences candidates asking for advice on MBA and other post-graduate courses to help them stand out,” she said.
“We’re also seeing more candidates in the sector looking for stability in the role they will accept. But given the dynamic nature of the sector, we encourage candidates to see organisational change as an opportunity to develop and grow your career.”
To see the full list of skills in demand and trends for your industry, please visitwww.hays.com.sg/report
Hays is located in Singapore at Level 27, UOB Plaza 2, 80 Raffles Place, Singapore. Phone +65 6223 4535 or email [email protected]
Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.
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For further information please contact Kerryn Celine, Senior Marketing Executive - South East Asia at Hays, on +61 2 8226 9844 or [email protected]