Sales & Marketing Market Insights Q1 2017

2016 was a challenging year for sales and marketing functions across key industries in Hong Kong.

Due to uncertainties at the macro level, organisations were being ever more vigilant in their hiring strategies. Job seekers typically faced a longer application and interview process.

In 2016, we saw a trend where job vacancies were often replacements rather than newly created positions. It was also a year where we saw an increase in temporary and contract positions as opposed to permanent positions. This phenomenon was a reflection that businesses still felt uncertain about the short-to-medium term economic outlook for Hong Kong.

Retail faced a challenging year in 2016

Overall the retail sector continued to be sluggish in 2016, especially for luxury brands, watch & jewellery and wine & spirits companies. As retail demand continued to slow down in Hong Kong, many businesses faced a drop in sales and profit margin compared to 2015.

In times of such adversity, we saw companies repositioning their recruitment strategy by bringing in professionals who are experienced in directing and steering businesses out of challenging environments. In this regard, professionals with hands-on experience in business performance turnaround are highly favourable in today's Hong Kong job market.

For other parts of retail such as FMCG and mass retail sectors, hiring activity remained low especially at the mid-management level roles. Despite a challenging 2016 for retail hiring, we saw a continual demand for professionals strong in retail operations due to high staff turnover at the store operations level.

Digital and start-up sales & marketing roles will be in demand

Going into Q1 2017, as e-Commerce matures and the number of online shoppers grows, we expect to see an increased demand for professionals with strong digital marketing and CRM experience. These professionals will find themselves with plenty of career opportunities in the months ahead. We also expect to see a continual demand for talent in financial services organisations, especially in terms of specialist sales functions such as risk and compliance sales roles.

In recent times, there has been a build up in momentum from start-ups and developing companies. Although Singapore has been positioned as the start-up hub in Asia, we expect this may change based on the trend we observed over the last 12 months in 2016. Many local and international start-ups have chosen Hong Kong as a starting point. With start-ups, the challenge in talent attraction will continue to exist. While there is a diverse talent pool in Hong Kong offering an excellent mix of skills and international experience, the majority of job seekers will still prefer to join established companies with proven track record of success.

Many start-ups offer equity to professionals to remain competitive. For professionals who are keen to join start-ups, we highly recommend that you conduct research and due diligence on these new companies before making the decision to join.

Sales & Marketing
Salary Report for Q1 2017*

Banking & Financial Services
Job title	Years of experience	Annual salary range (HK$)
Marketing
Marketing Director	15+	1.4M–2M+
VP, Marketing	12+	780K–1.3M
AVP / Manager Marketing	6–10	540K–720K
Associate / Assistant Marketing Manager	3–5	240K–480K
Head of Corporate Communications / Affairs	15+	1.3M–1.8M+
VP, Corporate Communications / Affairs	12+	720K–1.2M
AVP / Manager Corporate Communications / Affairs	6–10	480K –720K
Associate / Assistant Corporate Communications Manager	3–5	240K–480K
Head of Events	15+	1.1M–1.5M+
VP Events	12+	660K–1M
AVP / Manager Events	6–10	480K–600K
Event Specialist	3–5	240K–420K
VP Media Relations	6–10	720K–1.3M
Head of Market Research / Business Intelligence	15+	1.2M–1.7M+
Market Research / Business Intelligence Manager	6–10	600K–900K

Commerce & Industry
Job title	Years of experience	Annual salary range (HK$)
Media / Entertainment
Chief Editor	15+	900K–1.3M
Marketing Director	15+	1M–1.2M
Director, Sales	15+	1M–1.5M
Director, Distribution	12+	1M–1.2M
Associate, Media Sales	10+	720K–1M
Associate Director, Distribution	10+	720K–1M
Manager, Sales	8+	480K–720K
Marketing Manager	5–10	420K–720K
Distribution Manager	6–8	420K–650K
Programming Manager	5–8	300K–540K
Executive, Sales	3–5	300K–480K
Marketing Executive	3–5	240K–360K
FMCG
General Manager	15+	1.5M+
Sales Director	12+	840K–1.3M
Sales Manager	8+	540K–720K
Key Account Manager	6–8	390K–520K
Assistant Key Account Manager	3–5	260K–360K
Marketing Director	15+	840K–1.3M
Marketing Manager	10+	650K–910K
Assistant Marketing Manager	6–8	390K–520K
Senior Brand Manager	7–10	520K–780K
Brand Manager	5–8	360K–520K
Assistant Brand Manager	3–5	300K–360K
Category Manager	5–8	360K –480K
Assistant Category Manager	3–5	240K–360K
Product Manager	5–8	360K–480K
Assistant Product Manager	3–5	300K–360K
Trade Marketing Manager	5–8	360K–520K
Assistant Trade Marketing Manager	3–5	300K–360K
IT / Telecommunications
Managing Director	15+	2.5M+
Head of Sales	15+	1.8M–2.2M
Sales/Business Development Director	10–15+	1.3M–1.6M
Sales Manager	6–8+	540K–800K+
Account Manager	3–5	400K–600K
Head of Marketing	15+	1.2M–1.6M
Marketing Director	10–15	800K–1.2M
Marketing Manager	8+	500K–720K
Assistant Marketing Manager	6+	350K–500K
Channel Manager	4–6	500K–800K
Product Manager	3–5	400K–600K
Social Media Manager	5–8	520K–650K
Sales Operation Manager	8–10	325K–400K
Professional Services
Marketing Director	15+	1M–1.5M
Marketing Manager	6–8+	480K–780K
Corporate Communications Manager	5–8	480K–720K
Business Development Director	15+	1.2M–1.6M
Business Development Manager	6–8+	600K–960K
Business Development/Marketing Executive	3–5	300K–600K
PR Manager	6–8+	480K–720K
Industrial & Manufacturing
General Manager	15+	1.3M–1.8M
Sales/Business Development Director	10–15	800K–1.3M
Business Development Manager	8–10	650K–800K
Sales Manager	6–8	480K–660K
Sales Executive/Sales Engineer	3–5	240K–360K
Marketing/Communications Director	10–15	800K–1.3M
Product Marketing Manager	8–10	650K–800K
Product Marketing Engineer	3–5	240K–360K
Marketing Manager	6–8	500K–800K
Marketing Executive	3–5	250K–420K
Retail
Head of Marketing	15+	1M–1.5M
Marketing Manager	10+	650K–910K
Assistant Marketing Manager	5–8	360K–480K
Marketing Executive	1–3	144K–240K
Senior Brand Manager	6–10+	650K–910K
Brand Manager	4–6	420K–540K
PR Manager	5–8	360K–650K
Assistant PR Manager	3–5	300K–364K
Merchandising / Buyer Manager	8+	585K–910K
Digital Marketing Director	10–15	1M–1.5M
Digital Marketing Manager	6+	480K–720K
CRM Director	10–15	910K–1.5M
CRM Manager	8+	650K–910K
Retail Operations Manager	8+	650K–910K
Assistant Retail Operations Manager	6–8	480K–600K
Area Manager	5+	420K–520K
Store Manager	3+	240K–360K
Advertising Agency
Group Managing Director	20+	1.5M–2M+
Managing Director	15+	1.2M–1.5M
Business Director	12+	960K–1.2M
Client Services Director	12+	960K–1.2M
Strategic Planning Director	12+	850K–1.2M
Group Account Director	10+	720K–850K
Account Director	8–10	480K–720K
Account Manager	5+	300K–420K
PR Agency
Managing Director	20	1.5M+
Director / Group Account Director	15+	1M–1.5M
Account Director	8–10	550K–780K
Account Manager	5+	360K–480K
Property & Real Estate
Head of Leasing	15+	1.2M+
Senior Leasing Manager	12–15	800K–1.2M
Leasing Manager	8–10	600K–800K
Assistant Leasing Manager	6–8	420K–600K
Senior Leasing Officer	3–5	300K–420K
Head of Marketing/Communications	15+	1.2M+
Marketing/Communications Director	12–15	900K–1.1M
Senior Marketing/Communications Manager	10–12	720K–900K
Marketing/Communications Manager	8–10	480K–720K
Assistant Marketing/Communications Manager	6–8	360K–420K
Senior Marketing/Communications Officer	3–5	300K–360K

*Notes about salary report:

Titles and levels vary from organisation to organisation.
The salary ranges given are only approximate guides. For tailored salary advice, please contact us directly.
12-month base salaries are assumed.
All other benefits and bonuses are in addition to these figures.
Bonus ranges can vary significantly from company to company and will be influenced by market conditions, business and individual performances. Bonus ranges from 1 month at the low end to 100%+ at the upper.
Holiday entitlements range from 12–25 days with senior executives not usually receiving less than 18 days. Less than 15 is very rare and 20 days is becoming the norm.
Healthcare policies are standard.
Pension plans vary with some companies offering greater than the standard contribution. Top up schemes can increase employer contribution levels as much as 15–20% of the base salary for senior executives.