In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf markets, the tech sector is experiencing a significant increase in employment opportunities and this trend shows no signs of slowing down, even during the summer.
If a candidate has a proven track record of successfully managing projects and possesses the necessary skills, they will not have to wait for an extended period to receive a job offer from a potential employer.
Moreover, the demand for AI skills is fueling a new wave of active recruitment across various industries, seeking suitable candidates, according to Gulf News.
“We are seeing large spikes in hiring across all sectors at the moment,” said Tom Clarke, Partner, Technology and Services Practice, Middle East at Heidrick & Struggles.
“There is specific large demand in professional and IT services firms, as well as software organizations specialized in areas such as AI.”
“There is also ongoing interest from firms outside of the region looking to enter the market. We are seeing new system integrators, software vendors, and boutique consultancies closely examining their market entry strategy.”
Undoubtedly, it is an advantageous period for tech professionals in the UAE and the Gulf region. The concerns about extensive job cuts in the US and the global tech industry that occurred in late 2022 and early 2023 have now become a distant memory.
Demand for AI Skills Fuels Active Recruitment in the Gulf Region
The growing prominence of Generative AI has significantly increased the demand for tech professionals. In fact, the UAE has taken proactive measures to ensure they remain at the forefront of AI advancements.
They have established an AI council to explore strategies for maintaining a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving field. Moreover, in 2019, the UAE introduced the world’s first specialized graduate-level university focused on AI research.
“Companies are seeking AI expertise as they look to automate and streamline their operations using generative and advanced AI modules. Against today’s digital-first business environment, experts with deep tech expertise, experience in strategy, and willingness to get their hands dirty are critical to help organizations enact major system changes and re-architect exercises.”
Heidrick & Struggles recently released a trend report detailing the expectations for Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) in the Middle East. The report highlights that as the markets have progressed, companies have eliminated or reduced these allowances and included them as part of the fixed component of overall compensation.
Retaining Key Leaders: The Emergence of LTIPs in the Middle East
One particular area that requires further development is the broader utilization of long-term incentive plans (LTIPs). While major technology markets commonly use LTIPs, their prevalence in the Middle East region is relatively rare.
However, we anticipate that LTIPs will become increasingly common in the coming years as organizations in the region strive to retain their key functional leaders.
This trend is already evident in the technology sector, where every funding deal, whether it be an acquisition or a private equity funding round, emphasizes the retention of the original tech talent.
The demand for individuals with a proven local track record in skills and project experience is growing more intense as employers and their offers compete for such candidates.
According to a corporate head-hunter, it has reached a point where a Chief Information Officer (CIO) can request and obtain almost anything they desire if they can demonstrate proof of project delivery at their current employer.
Major companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are updating their strategies in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) as the demand for AI expertise continues to rise.
The surge in tech employment is expected to persist for the foreseeable future, with AI being a particularly prominent field, even though the adoption of the metaverse concept may have been relatively slow in comparison.