These are the hottest jobs in Hong Kong this year

Finance managers take the top spot again.

2015’s jobs market will be characterised by high demand for skilled professionals who can diagnose time or cost inefficiencies and then offer solutions to improve their department or business’s performance.

According to a release from Hays, based on its recently released January to March 2015 Hays Quarterly Report, as long as employers want to maintain profitability while keeping costs down, people who can offer effective process or costs solutions will be in high demand.

“Employers are hiring and they have positive intentions for the year ahead,” says Christine Wright, Managing Director of Hays in Asia. “In our conversations with employers, it’s clear that the greatest hotspots of demand will be for people who can help a business work smarter, not harder.

“All departments now need people who can analyse performance, review and improve processes, reduce costs and increase efficiencies.

“From Finance Managers in the accountancy department, to Data Analysts in the IT team and Communications Managers in the marketing department, the focus this year will be on improving the existing ways of operating while reducing costs,” said Christine.

Here's more from Hays:

According to the Hays Quarterly Report, the following skills are just some of those in demand:

Hays Accountancy & Finance: Finance Managers are once again in high demand in the financial services sector and this trend is set to continue due to the further expansion of banks into Hong Kong.

Hays Banking: Experienced Corporate Banking Relationship Managers are in demand, especially those able to bring onboard new clients to immediately impact revenue growth. Those specialising in China are in highest demand due to increasing cross-border trade.

Hays Construction: Structural Engineers are still in high demand, specifically chartered Engineers with strong analytical design experience in complex structural designs. Civil Engineers are also sought after due to ongoing civil infrastructure projects.

Hays Human Resources: With more regional headquarters moving to Hong Kong, employers are increasingly looking for HR Managers with regional exposure. The number of jobs for Payroll Executives is increasing as companies want a dedicated person to take responsibility for payroll.

Hays Information Technology: Data Analysts are becoming increasingly important for more and more companies. Multinational Corporations are becoming more data-driven in order to analyse and predict future insights into their business operations.

Finance Technology: Project Managers and Business Analysts are in strong demand in specific areas such as Front Office Trading because numerous investment banks and asset management firms are looking to utilize their trading systems to give them a competitive edge.

Hays Insurance: Insurers who are looking to expand their businesses in new markets have to minimise business risk and therefore require risk & compliance talent. Bancassurance specialists with distribution account management experience are also sought.

Hays Legal: Increased scrutiny over business practices, particularly in China, and a greater US/UK focus on investigations has increased demand for Lawyers with regulatory and investigations skills within the financial services sector.

Hays Sales & Marketing: Experienced corporate communications specialists with regional exposure are in high demand within insurance and financial services. As are Content Marketing Managers due to the popularity of smart phones and social media.

Hays Office Professionals: Many multinational corporations are now expanding and developing new teams, which is creating high demand for Team Administrators. Also, Demand for Executive Assistants continues to increase as companies set up offices in Hong Kong.

Hays Procurement: Strategic Sourcing Consultants who have the ability to win consulting work and then undertake the management of the contracts are in greatest demand.

Hays Property: The increase in residential projects driven by pressure on the Hong Kong government to provide sufficient housing to Hong Kong residents has created jobs for Project Managers for property developers.