Hong Kong ESG Job Market Snapshot: 12 October 2023

In the dynamic and rapidly evolving ESG job landscape of Hong Kong, it's imperative for professionals and employers alike to stay abreast of the latest shifts and nuances. To offer a timely perspective, we've delved into a two-week window, capturing a snapshot that illuminates the prevailing trends and standards in the sector. This concise yet insightful analysis sheds light on the pulse of the ESG job market as it stands in the latter half of 2023. Here's what our short-term analysis has unveiled:

Sector Distribution: Where is the Demand?

The ESG job market in Hong Kong is diverse, with several sectors leading the charge. Our findings reveal:

• Accounting and Advisory spearheads the demand, accounting for 20.7% of the total job postings.
• Real Estate and Property Management is not far behind, with 17.2% of the postings.
• Consulting rounds up the top three with 13.8% of the job adverts.

These sectors not only represent the highest demand but also indicate where ESG principles are becoming deeply integrated. See Figure 1 for job posting distribution by sector. While this may not represent a long-term trend, it certainly provides a perspective on the current demand.

The Rise of In-House ESG Teams

When we consolidate roles under the consulting and advisory umbrella, they encompass a staggering 40% of the total job postings. This not only underscores the value of external consultancy but also hints at sectors investing heavily in in-house ESG expertise. As shown in Figure 2, the Real Estate and Property Management and Banking and Financial Services sectors stand out in this regard, offering golden opportunities for budding professionals.

Experience Matters: What's the Ask?

Delving deeper, our data paints an interesting picture of the experience levels sought by employers.

• Entry-Level (0-2 years): [62.1%]
• Mid-Level (3-5 years): [24.1%]
• Senior-Level (6-10 years): [10.3%]
• Leadership/High-Level (>10 years): [3.4%]

A significant portion of the ESG roles are catered towards professionals in the early stages of their career. See Figure 3.

Internship Opportunities: A Year-Round Endeavour

Interestingly, despite October not being a traditional intern-hiring month, a handful of firms are actively recruiting.

For example, the "Intern - ESG Data & Reporting" position, set to run from January to April 2024, indicates that companies are strategically planning well ahead, potentially aligning with projects or reports due in the year's first quarter. Likewise, the "Sustainability / ESG Services - Internship Programme" slated for winter 2023 underscores a deliberate intent to tap into fresh insights during a time typically less active in both academic and business realms.

This evolving landscape highlights two prominent insights. Firstly, the ESG sector in Hong Kong deeply appreciates the energy and novel viewpoints that interns contribute. Secondly, there's a palpable shift towards anticipatory, strategic recruitment, with companies forecasting their requirements and aligning their hiring timelines to meet these needs effectively.

Sample Scope and Sources

To offer a snapshot of the ESG job landscape in Hong Kong, we've focused on a set of 29 job listings that were randomly sampled over a two-week span within September and October 2023. While this sample size may not encompass the entire breadth of the market, it provides a concise view of prevailing trends across diverse sectors. The listings were taken from various prominent job boards and company websites, giving an overview of roles, industries, and experience requirements.

Organisations in Focus

Our dataset includes listings from notable organisations such as:

伟易达 Corporate Services, Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited , CCG Property Services Limited, Hong Kong Maxim's Group , Harbour City Estates Limited , Kerry Properties Limited , CLP Holdings Limited, Shanghai Commercial Bank Ltd , 玛泽咨询 CPA Limited, Hong Yip Service Company Limited , Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, The , SW Hong Kong , 奥雅纳 , etc.

Learn from the Practitioners

Are you eager to gain firsthand insights from industry forerunners? Reserve your place in our curated career talks, part of the 'Paving Your Professional Career Path in Sustainability' series.

• For enthusiasts eyeing consultancy roles in Hong Kong, we feature in-depth insights from key players, including ISS ESG and ESG Matters.
• For a corporate angle, immerse yourself in viewpoints from industry stalwarts such as Vitasoy, Polar Air Cargo, DFI Retail, HKBN, Ricoh, LINK, and MTR.
• Expand your understanding further with expert contributions from ESG specialists based in Canada and the UK.
• And for those with a preference for sessions in Chinese, sessions from industry leaders at Google, HSBC and Adidas are a must-attend.

A Quick Dive into Job Search Rhythms

?? Career Growth Habits: Quick Poll!

While we're on the topic of jobs, when do you find yourself casually browsing job portals or LinkedIn for potential opportunities?

?? Start of the Week (Monday & Tuesday) ?? Midweek (Wednesday & Thursday) ?? Weekend Vibes (Friday - Sunday) ?? Completely Random

We're genuinely curious! Cast your vote and engage in the discussion.

In conclusion, while this article offers a glimpse into Hong Kong's ESG landscape during a specific timeframe, it's essential to understand that market dynamics are fluid. Stay connected for more insightful snapshots in our forthcoming editions.

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