Professional services salaries & market trends

What key trends have you observed in 2017?
The model of consultancy continues to diversify beyond pure strategy, with themes such as leadership, cyber, AI, data analytics, full-stack digital transformation, futureof-work and customer journeys now central to most consulting firms. Data and digital, overall, are now very much the dominant themes for consultancies across every sector.
Leveraging both digital capability and another marquee theme, flexibility, the LLPs have crafted cloud-based services and platforms which freshen their models and encourage higher-contact client relationships. This has led to marketers from ecommerce brands and fresh B2B tech firms being in much higher demand than usual.
In the legal space, consolidation through mergers continues to grow, with lawyers’ increasingly courting talent from the Big 4, which has created new opportunities.
We have also seen event budgets take a big cut, which started with Brexit. Roles for events specialists have been reduced mostly to freelance with job security a real issue for this group. In contrast, designers and bid cycle specialists still remain in high demand.
What key trends do you expect to see over the next 12 months?
We are likely to see an increase in innovative challenger brands, as we have seen in the fintech industry; which will create more opportunities for B2C marketers, especially those from technology and agency backgrounds.
Across law and accountancy, the cultural veil-lifting with regard to fee earning and personal branding is set to continue in an effort to reduce client churn, drive trust and attract growth firms to the roster. This will increase demand for client listening and feedback skills, automation, as well as CRM specialists who can slicken these processes.
The bid cycle, which has always struggled to retain talent, should continue to become more automated, allowing the specialists to focus on bid/no-bid advice, pricing, reporting and perhaps copywriting and generalist marketing.
We expect platform marketing to grow, as candidates from tech firms will be in greater demand. Use of video interviews during hiring processes will continue to rise, especially first stage interviews. Finally, candidates with B2C and agency consumer brand experience are likely to be in more demand.
Do you anticipate any changes to permanent salaries and bonuses over the next 12 months?
No, any changes are very unlikely, other than for mid-range business developers, systems experts, marketing operations and bid cycle specialists.
What methods are companies using to attract and retain top talent?
On top of salaries, competitive packages with extra benefits and attractive bonus schemes are also common. Companies are offering candidates more overseas secondment opportunities as well as the freedom to rotate industries. In 2017, we saw a real drive in developing ethical CSR and wellness policies, driven equally by HR and comms as well as marketing.
Contract roles & day rates
For professional services, we would typically be tasked with finding business development candidates, however we are now noticing the element of marketing in these positions is increasing.
The legal space is typically stringent about requiring previous legal experience while consultancies and accounting are more open to other backgrounds. Roles at the junior end of the professional services market have been more competitive, which indicates a lack of high quality candidates at this level.
Sign up for more insights

Related jobs
Salary
£80000 - £100000 per annum + Bonus
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Marketing (general)
Seniority
Head of
Salary
£100,000 - £124,999
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
Head of Marketing
Reference
RPP_1749823523
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
£120000 - £140000 per annum + Bonus + Benefits
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
B2B
Seniority
Director/Chief
Salary
£125,000 +
Sector
Consultancies
City
London
Description
A B2B financial services consultancy is seeking a Marketing Director to design and implement marketing campaigns targeted towards insurance and banking providers.
Reference
RPEL_1749823149
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
£60000 - £75000 per annum + 30 days AL, Private Medical & 10% pens
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Fixed Term Contract
Discipline
Bids & Tenders
Marketing (general)
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£60,000 - £79,000
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
A well known Legal Consultancy is seeking a Proposal & Bids Specialist on a 9-12 month fixed term contract to take the lead of multiple bids and proposal processes.
Reference
PR/132635_1748446310
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Tom BrocktonAuthor
Tom BrocktonRelated posts

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
06/16/2025
Summary
Hiring great marketing talent has never been easy. In 2025, the recruitment landscape has changed. The biggest challenge facing hiring managers isn’t just about finding great candidates. It’s about

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
06/16/2025
Summary
While today’s marketers are looking for the full package, salary remains key to attracting and retaining top talent. Fair pay is important and this year it’s under the microscope more than ever. With

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
As employers enter the second half of 2025, the pressure to remain commercially resilient while managing ongoing cost constraints is shaping how hiring decisions are made. Amid continued salary stag

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/30/2025
Summary
The landscape of hiring a marketer has changed. A solid job spec isn’t the be all and end all anymore. Today’s marketing professionals are making career moves with more intention than ever. Marketers

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/30/2025
Summary
When it comes to hiring the right marketing professionals, getting the job description right is crucial. Knowing how to write a job description means you’re doing more than just list responsibilities

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/14/2025
Summary
Three days in the office. No change in salary. Hybrid working is evolving. What does that mean for employees and employers in 2025?What was once presented as a benefit is now a source of tension. Acro

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
03/31/2025
Summary
Looking Back at 2024For much of 2024, marketing recruitment across the UK has contended with a series of setbacks. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics showed a steady decline in

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
03/20/2025
Summary
Attracting top-tier marketing talent is challenging. The best candidates often have multiple options, allowing them to pick out a company they would feel proud to work for. This is where the power of

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
03/20/2025
Summary
Hiring a marketing manager is no small task. Marketing plays a pivotal role in any business, and the right hire can send both brand perception and revenue on an upward trajectory. From campaign execu

Teaser
Hiring adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
03/05/2025
Summary
With Employer National Insurance (NI) contributions set to rise in 2025, businesses must rethink their hiring strategies, particularly in marketing, where agility and cost-efficiency are key. Hiring d
Recently viewed jobs