Market Update
Mainland China Financial Services Talent Outlook 2025
Financial institutions in Mainland China are adjusting their hiring plans in a year defined by selective growth, regulatory recalibration, and accelerated adoption of AI. Investment is increasingly concentrated on high-impact roles that strengthen operational resilience, cross-border capability and digital performance.
Download our latest report to understand what's influencing financial sciences and services recruitment across the country, and find practical guidance for employers and professionals building long-term strategies.
What’s inside the report?
Our specialist team outline the talent trends influencing decision-making across key areas like banking, asset management, quant trading and financial technology. Download the report today to:
- See how hiring sentiment is changing in 2025 and where firms plan selective growth
- Compare Mainland China and Hong Kong hiring requirements, licensing needs and strategic entry considerations
- Understand the rise in demand for quant, data and AI-focused talent
- Assess hiring patterns across private markets, public markets, ETFs and systematic strategies
- Review practical actions employers can take to secure specialist talent in competitive areas
- Identify the skills professionals need to stay competitive as AI, automation and cross-border activity accelerate
Employers can use these exclusive insights to support their hiring plans. For professionals, this report highlights where opportunities are growing and the capabilities firms value most.
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Alternatively, download this report in Mandarin.
FAQ: Hiring and careers in Mainland China's financial services industry
Hiring activity is strongest in asset management, quantitative trading, financial technology, compliance and risk. Firms are prioritising candidates with cross-border expertise, AI and data skills, and experience in sectors aligned with national priorities such as advanced manufacturing and green technology.
Hybrid capabilities are key. Firms want candidates who combine financial knowledge with technology fluency, quantitative strength or regulatory understanding. Skills in AI engineering, data analytics, machine learning, risk modelling, compliance and product structuring are in particularly high demand.
Hiring is selective but stable. Firms are investing in roles that support digital infrastructure, regulatory resilience and cross-border business. While some areas remain cautious, quant, technology and compliance hiring continue to expand.
Demand is rising for AI-driven research analysts, ETF product specialists, investor relations professionals with global LP networks, and compliance staff who can manage increasing regulatory complexity.
Competition is high. Candidates with advanced degrees, strong coding skills, internship experience and exposure to systematic strategies are best positioned. Firms are hiring for signal engineering, high-frequency trading, AI-integrated model development and algorithmic execution.
AI adoption is creating new roles in model training, infrastructure engineering, digital risk and automation. Banks and asset managers are building proprietary large models, increasing demand for AI engineers, data security specialists and machine learning experts.
Shanghai leads in cross-border finance, quant hiring and financial technology. Shenzhen is strong in fintech, blockchain and embedded finance. Beijing remains important for regulatory-focused roles. The Greater Bay Area continues to grow due to integration with Hong Kong.
Yes. Foreign institutions expanding on-shore typically hire local professionals in key roles like compliance, operations, finance, and sales. For on-shore private fund manager structures, the regulations governed by AMAC and related authorities place significant emphasis on qualified senior management, investment teams and regulatory compliance. This often means building a locally-based team, so local hiring is highly important.
The report outlines practical steps including targeted sourcing and the sequencing of priority hires for Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Partnering with a specialist recruiter like Selby Jennings helps firms access passive talent and reduce time-to-hire for niche roles.
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Need support with hiring in Mainland China? Speak to our specialists
If you are scaling teams, strengthening regulatory capability or building out technical functions, securing the right talent is a priority.
Our consultants specialise in financial services recruitment across Mainland China and APAC's key financial hubs, helping firms hire professionals with the expertise, regional knowledge and cross-border capability needed to drive performance. Speak with our team to discuss your hiring plans.
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