The most in-demand Financial Services roles

Unlike many industries, the financial services sector has proven to be resilient to the economic impact of the pandemic by contributing to global pandemic relief efforts and supporting financial operations across businesses. Despite this, there has been an increased demand for skilled financial services professionals, fuelled even further by the acceleration in automation and digitisation. 

Our 2021 Salary & Benefits Guide revealed that 50% of businesses expected their headcount to increase but exactly which financial services roles are in high demand? We share the most in-demand financial services jobs below.  

1. Financial Advisor 

With the pandemic pushing financial issues into the media spotlight, the demand for financial advisors is higher than ever before. As a result, there has been an increase in businesses that are looking to seek both long-term and short-term financial advice.  

A financial advisor is responsible for assessing their clients' needs and providing advice to help them reach their financial goals. They research the marketplace and recommend the most suitable products and services available. A financial advisor can be both a specialist and generalist in the advice and services they offer.  

2. Investment Manager

 Investment management as an industry has ‘sustained less damage’ than other areas of the economy, but as with most roles across financial services, the demand for them has spiked since the pandemic.  

Investment managers, sometimes known as fund or asset managers, are responsible for managing client investments and giving their clients the highest return on their money at the level of risk they’re comfortable with.  

3. Paraplanner 

 With rising concerns over the ‘advisor gap,’ more financial planning firms are adjusting their growth strategies to allow for fully remote roles to attract talented paraplanners. With 72% of professionals willing to accept a fully remote role, there could be a gradual shift in the way in which the paraplanning industry operates. 

Dependent upon experience, paraplanners are responsible for supporting financial planners or advisors with administrative tasks such as analysing financial statements, creating and preparing product research, and compiling reports for them to present to clients for review.  

4. Compliance Manager 

 Along with rising expectations, the demand for compliance managers has increased since the pandemic. The emphasis on compliance has been highlighted more as businesses tread carefully to ensure their organisation’s rules and regulations remain in line with current legislation.  

Compliance managers are responsible for keeping up to date with current legislation and ensuring their business is adhering to them. They may present reports to upper management, advise and train staff on how to go about current policies.  

5. Head of Operational Resilience

Operational resilience has risen to the top of the agenda as financial risk management continues to be of critical importance.  

The Head of Operational Resilience is responsible for developing a robust resilience function and ensuring the function is embedded across the organisation. They ensure any incidents are effectively managed and oversee both the risks to achieve operational resilience and operational resilience risks.  

Are you looking for your next financial services role? We have available roles across the financial services sector and can offer you the best insights into the marketplace for your region and specialism. Speak to one of our specialist financial services recruitment consultants today.