The roles set to be in demand in Scotland in 2025

The 2020s so far have seen monumental changes in how people work, and 2025 is shaping up to be no different. Continued rapid advancements and investment in artificial intelligence are reshaping the world of work before our eyes, at the same time as governmental interventions increase already challenging financial and operational pressures on businesses across the UK.

Betsy Williamson, founder and CEO of Core-Asset Consulting - the recruitment partner for financial and professional services firms across the UK - explains: “Visionary leadership and bold investment will define success in 2025. And finding the right skills to navigate these headwinds is business critical.”

With this in mind, we reveal the five functions and associated roles expected to be most in demand in Scotland in 2025.

Technology integration and automation

There will be an even greater and increasing reliance on AI, data analytics and automation in 2025 to enhance business efficiency and speed up and support decision-making.

Roles in demand in 2025 will include:

• AI specialist (average median salary: £92,500 per annum / average contractor day rate: £600)

• Data analyst (average median salary: £83,500 per annum / average contractor day rate: £400)

• Digital transformation lead (average median salary: £145,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £900)

Regulatory compliance and risk management

An increasingly complex regulatory environment, and subsequent focus on businesses’ operational resilience, will drive demand for compliance expertise.

Roles in demand in 2025 will include:

• Compliance officer (average median salary: £95,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £550)

• Regulatory analyst (average median salary: £87,500 per annum / average contractor day rate: £450)

• Operational risk manager (average median salary: £97,500 per annum / average contractor day rate: £550)

Cybersecurity and digital resilience

Heightened threats to digital infrastructure, in addition to incoming regulation around fraud prevention, necessitate advanced cybersecurity measures for businesses of all sizes.

Roles in demand in 2025 will include:

• Cybersecurity specialist (average median salary: £100,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £600)

• Technology risk manager (average median salary: £100,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £600)

• IT governance lead (average median salary: £142,500 per annum / average contractor day rate: £800)

Strategic change management

Change has been the biggest constant in the 2020s so far. Navigating organisational transformation and unlocking productivity to help ease slowing growth will be priorities for all businesses.

Roles in demand in 2025 will include:

• Business change analyst (average median salary: £80,500 per annum / average contractor day rate: £550)

• Strategy consultant (average median salary: £120,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £750)

• Transformation project manager (average median salary: £117,500 per annum / average contractor day rate: £700)

Complex tax management

Recently announced changes to UK tax policies, plus anticipated U.S. government policies to come, will require international and intercompany tax expertise. There’ll also be increased demand for personal tax specialists amidst new UK policies from April 2024.

Roles in demand in 2025 will include:

• Global tax specialists (average median salary: £83,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £600)

• Intercompany specialists (average median salary: £83,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £550)

• Personal tax specialists in practise and wealth management (average median salary: £73,000 per annum / average contractor day rate: £550)