Why you should move to Ireland to work in Financial Services

In the past five years there has been momentous change in the Financial Services industry in Ireland – working as a specialist Recruitment Consultant in the sector, I’ve seen this first-hand. The boom of the Celtic Tiger and subsequent economic crash put a lot of pressure on Financial Service Professionals, many choosing to seek brighter futures overseas. This has meant we are now experiencing a skills shortage in Irish Finance – we have too many fantastic jobs and too few suitable candidates.

If you’ve established your career in London, Brussels, Poland, New York, Sydney, Luxembourg, Cayman Islands, or Bermuda, you may be reluctant to take the plunge and make the move back to Ireland. There are many reasons, however, why relocating to Dublin or one of the other financial hubs in Ireland would be great for your professional and personal life.

The world’s best companies

Ireland is a talent hub for Financial Services, one that experienced phenomenal success over the last few years. The facts speak for themselves – 250 of the world’s leading financial firms and half of the world’s top 50 banks, including Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, State Street, Credit Suisse, Bank of America and JP Morgan, have internationally-focused operations here. There are also some exciting growing Boutique firms who providing some amazing opportunities. These companies are attracted by Ireland’s low tax rates, educated workforce, proximity to the EU and the fact that we’re the only native English-speaking country in the Euro zone. This has resulted in over €3.8 trillion of funds being administered from Ireland, and the Irish Stock Exchange is the global leader for funds listing.

Exciting new roles

There is a lot of scope for Financial Services professionals to sink their teeth into challenging and rewarding roles that they may not find in other countries. Financial Services in Ireland directly employs over 35,000 people, and more jobs are being created every month thanks to a quickly recovering economy and lots of foreign investment. In particular, there has been substantial growth in Funds, Payments, Capital Markets, Information Security and Insurance jobs. I’ve seen a huge surge in opportunities not just in Dublin, but across the country – everywhere from Cork and Waterford to Galway and Donegal.

High quality of living

The availability of jobs is an obvious draw for overseas candidates, but so too is the quality of life you can enjoy in our Emerald Isle. Recent candidates I’ve placed from overseas are delighted with their decision to move to Ireland. Cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway boast a vibrant social scene, perfect for those who want to balance hard work with hard play after working hours. If you’re moving from a high-cost city like London or Sydney, you’ll also benefit from much lower living costs. This, coupled with our excellent free education system and the emphasis on a healthy work/life balance, is ideal for those with families. The Irish sporting culture is amazing and local club memberships are very affordable whether it be Golf or GAA and most companies support membership with “club subs”

Higher wages and other perks

A big draw also for many, of course, is the high salaries and benefits you can enjoy in the Financial Services sector in Ireland. Recent growth means that there is now a skills gap in the industry – there aren’t enough talented candidates to fill the roles that are emerging. Financial Services companies are willing to offer very competitive packages to the right candidates, no matter where they are currently located. The first step in the process is usually a phone or Skype interview, where you can establish if the company is right for you and find out more about the industry in Ireland.

There is no sign of things slowing down in Financial Services in Ireland – far from it. With more global financial services companies establishing their operations here, those in the industry have the opportunity to learn from the best and rise to the top. Isn’t it time you bite the bullet and explored the possibility of a Financial Services role in Ireland?

Send your CV now to ben.mcshane@careers-register.com for an initial consultation.

Visit Cpl.ie for Finance and Banking jobs in Ireland