The finance hiring market has picked up over the past six months.

At the senior end, demand is back. CFO and GM Finance hiring has increased, with demand for future-focussed leaders who can drive transformation, lead teams and engage with stakeholders.

Demand continues for specialist hires in areas such as tax and regulatory reporting.

What we’re seeing on the ground

Hiring is happening but with more control:

• Greater use of fixed-term contracts as a “try before you buy” approach
• Slower decision-making, affecting junior level and immediately-available candidates

Where the market is heading

The major banks are likely to stay focused on efficiencies and headcount savings, while demand is increasing from mid-sized firms, often driven by new CFOs or finance leaders looking to upgrade capability in their teams.

The practical takeaway

AI is now part of the hiring conversation - appearing in job briefs, interviews and role expectations – so candidates need to demonstrate they’re engaging with it.

For hiring managers, the message is simple: the best hires aren’t coming through job ads. If you’re looking for people who genuinely make an impact, you need access to networks, not just applicants. That’s where strong recruiter partnerships make the difference.