We were quietly bullish in about the outlook for recruitment in our March blog…little did we know the chaos to ensue as Trump unloaded his protectionist tariff plan. Has the progress of the recruitment market been derailed? Let’s take a look.
The Macro in 100 words
We gave a thorough summary of inflation, employment and GDP last month – all were in balance, giving us the strongest platform for recruitment we’ve seen in years. Trump’s tariffs, whilst creating a global political maelstrom, have not impacted our economic indicators or recruitment confidence. As Trump now oscillates, and because we actually sit with a significant US trade deficit, it does feel like BAU. Closer to home, the imminent Election looks likely to return Labor to power, so what could have been massive upheaval on global and domestic fronts wont amount to much. We hope.
The Sales Recruitment Market
The Sales Director market has been running hot with appointments being announced over the next couple of weeks. That has 2 impacts – immediate and medium term; 1. Immediately it creates more Customer and Sales Director roles to be filled as the current crop take new roles, and 2. Medium term new Sales Directors are expected to take a fresh look at capability and delivery. That means movement in the NAM and NBM world, exacerbated by the new financial year and fresh budgets.
The Marketing Recruitment Market
We’ve been reporting a steady increase in demand for junior and mid-level marketers for several months, and the slow, painful, wait for the senior market to return. Well, we’re getting closer, we think. With changes at Marketing Director level in Suntory and Reckitt, along with more open roles at the Head of and Marketing Manager levels across different organisations, that could just be enough to create the liquidity we need to open the senior marketing market. We’re so, so close.
Category, Shopper & RGM Markets
We’ve been waiting for Category et al to kick off in 2025 and we’re almost there with a number of roles coming to market, including at the Head of level. Revenue Management continues to be a focus for most FMCG, liquor and consumer clients demonstrated by the popularity of our 9% Club run in partnership with Andrew Cannock from [axr] and Pau Bull from FMCG Analytics.
To conclude, Trump’s tariffs and the upcoming election have not had a negative impact on recruitment. We don’t know what could be next, but I do love the resilience corporate Australia has built.
In other news, the much awaited [axr] 2025 Salary Guides are here! Download your copy today.
