Why Are Head of HR Salaries High in Commodities Trading?
Mathilde de Mareuil
10k followers. CEO of Shipping & Trading Network (HEADHUNTING). Vice President at WISTA CH. English & French native speaker. Active in commodities trading. Speaker at conferences: talent & skills as well as DE&I
Last week, I was asked to comment in the Tribune de Genève on why salaries for Head of HR in trading are significantly high. The answer lies in the strategic and complex nature of the role.
Unlike in many industries, HR in trading is not just about hiring and compliance—it’s about shaping the business. Here’s why:
1?? Managing Global Operations
Commodities firms often operate across multiple jurisdictions, with employees in production, transport, and extraction, navigating labour laws, tax structures, and compliance. Due to this complexity, global HR leaders in trading can earn between CHF 300,000 and CHF 500,000 per year, with top professionals exceeding CHF 600,000 including bonuses.
2?? Talent Acquisition & Retention
There is often intense competition for talent in this industry. The expertise of HR leaders in recruiting top talent is crucial. While recruitment is often outsourced to headhunters—who ar aware of market moves and people who are "open to opportunities"—many companies also build in-house Talent Acquisition teams, often made up of former headhunters with a strong background in trading and commodities recruitment. This role is vital in securing the best professionals in a highly competitive market.
Over the past five years, compensation for Head of HR in trading has increased by 25-40%, reflecting the rising demand for top-tier HR leadership.
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3?? Crisis & Change Management
HR plays a key role in managing workforce restructuring, market volatility, and regulatory changes. Their ability to navigate layoffs, expansions, and leadership transitions directly impacts a company's stability and long-term success.
4?? Shaping Corporate Culture
Beyond traditional HR functions, the Head of HR is instrumental in shaping company culture, developing innovative strategies for employee wellbeing, performance, and retention. Their work directly influences workplace satisfaction and overall business performance.
With employee retention and engagement becoming top priorities, companies now allocate more than 15% of total HR budgets to culture and retention initiatives, further reinforcing the importance of strategic HR leadership.
In short, HR leadership in trading is high-stakes, highly specialised, and essential to success.
What are your thoughts? Do you think HR is undervalued in commodities trading?
Solving Complex Banking Challenges | Multi-Role Manager and Team Leader | MBA | Lawyer | PhD | Advisory Board Member for Startups | Panel Moderator
1 个月Mathilde de Mareuil very interesting analysis
Talent Acquisition | Employer Branding | Assessment | TA technology | Early Careers
1 个月It’s surprising how outdated the perception of HR still is, especially in commodities. HR today is far from just handling payroll, absences, or workplace policing—it’s a strategic function driving talent acquisition, performance, learning, and overall business success. These are now specialized fields that bring real value, and it’s no surprise that leading companies have HR teams in the hundreds. Time to upgrade the mindset!
Commodities Researcher, Writer and Investment Manager
1 个月Great talent has to work hard for the money - and deserves it!
Business Development and Recruiting at STN
1 个月I had no idea the compensation for HR execs was so high! :D
Marketing and Event Manager
1 个月Great insights! HR in trading goes beyond hiring—it shapes and impacts every side of the business. Super interesting to see how much compensation has increased in the past five years, reflecting just how crucial top HR leaders are in this (and all!) industries. ??