This is Asia's most in-demand HR leader

The most in-demand HR professionals in Hong Kong are those with experience handling business transformation projects, according to Pure Asia Salary Guide 2019.

HR professionals who can demonstrate during interviews their ability to be both strategic and hands-on stand in good stead of getting hired.

Particularly in demand were candidates who can showcase their business partnering skills, such as decision-making, change management and ability to streamline processes.

The findings are a positive sign that HR is “no longer a back-office function” and is now seen as integral to future planning for the organisation.

Dorraine Tay, director, head of HR practices, Hong Kong at Pure Search told HRD that HR’s increasingly strategic function is partly due to the need to be more efficient in a VUCA world.

“With firms gearing up to streamline processes and drive cultural change with regards to how HR was viewed in their businesses, the function evolved into more of a business partner,” Tay said.

Companies have also been working on strengthening their HR capabilities and hiring more mid to senior level professionals across areas such as strategic talent acquisition as well as organisational development, she added.

Salaries also saw steady increase in 2018. However, bonuses remained flat, with companies more willing to offer a retention bonus to retain high-potential individuals.

Salary trends are expected to be the same in 2019, with employers willing to offer more competitive packages to attract candidates of the right calibre and culture fit.

According to the report, expected salary per annum were as follows:

• With 4-8 years’ experience
  • HRBP – HKD360,000 to HKD660,000
  • Organisational development – HKD360,000 to HKD720,000
  • L&D – HKD360,000 to HKD660,000
  • Compensation and benefits – HKD360,000 to HKD720,000
  • Talent acquisition – HKD360,000 to HKD660,000
• With 8-10 years’ experience
  • HRBP – HKD500,000 to HKD700,000
  • Organisational development – HKD540,000 to HKD800,000
  • L&D – HKD600,000 to HKD800,000
  • Compensation and benefits – HKD650,000 to HKD800,000
  • Talent acquisition – HKD550,000 to HKD700,000
• More than 10 years
  • HRBP – HKD700,000 to HKD2mill
  • Organisational development – HKD800,000 to HKD1.8mill
  • L&D – HKD800,000 to HKD1.8mill
  • Compensation and benefits – HKD800,000 to HKD1.8mill
  • Talent acquisition – HKD700,000 to HKD1.5mill

Looking ahead
Tay also shared with us her predictions for HR recruitment trends in 2019.

“The use of technology to transform HR processes and operate more leanly will continue to underpin hiring activity in 2019, while salaries should follow a similar pattern,” she said.

“As organisations move away from the traditional HR setting, candidates who are generalist HR practitioners should consider expanding their remit to become more client-facing and business-driven.”