From tech startup opportunities to leading digital transformation, these are the top five MBA jobs in Hong Kong right now

1. Sustainbility Consulting

The Hong Kong government wants to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and more businesses are prioritizing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, triggering increased demand for ESG and sustainability consultants in Hong Kong. 

Big Three consulting firm McKinsey, for example, launched McKinsey Sustainability last year, a client-service platform focused on helping businesses achieve their climate goals. With offices in Hong Kong, McKinsey is looking for new talent to specialize in sustainability consultancy. 

Speaking in a recent BusinessBecause webinar—Jobs in Hong Kong: What You Need to Know—delivered in partnership with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business School, MBA grad Varun Sood (pictured) explains how he’s taken advantage of Hong Kong’s drive towards sustainability goals. 

After his MBA at HKUST, he launched a career at PwC as a senior associate within climate and sustainability. 

PwC has one of the biggest teams for sustainability consultancy in Hong Kong, which Varun says was a motivating factor for joining the global firm. In the HKUST MBA, Varun studied courses including sustainability as a competitive advantage and ESG investing. 

“Studying these topics gave me relevant and practical experience and I learned things that I apply in my job every day,” by Varun Sood, Full-time MBA — Class 2021. 

2. Project management, digital sector

Companies in Hong Kong are embracing digital technologies to keep up with the ever-changing business landscape and they’re on the lookout for new hires who can help enhance business productivity using new tech.

“Businesses are looking for people to manage projects and become the bridge between the technical and business teams, building strategy to push for digitization,” explains Christopher Yip (pictured), senior consultant for MBA career and alumni development at HKUST. With HKUST’s focus on business and technology, MBA students are well-equipped to offer this expertise, Christopher believes.

The HKUST MBA offers courses in Technology Entrepreneurship, Transforming Business with Artificial Intelligence, and Strategic Management, preparing students to enter fast-paced careers within digital and project management. 

3. Investment banking & Wealth management

Investment banking and wealth management divisions across the Asia-Pacific are continuously expanding.

The HKUST MBA provides a series of intensive courses led by internal and external trainers, preparing MBAs to enter top finance jobs across areas like project management, investment banking, insurance, and accounting.

With advantages to living in Hong Kong including legislation that favors free trade and a strong capital inflow particularly due to the proximity with Mainland China, the city is a great place to kickstart your finance career.

4. Regtech startup jobs

The burgeoning regulatory technology, or regtech, sector is predicted to be worth $55 billion by 2025, making it an attractive career route for MBA grads.

Regulation technology startups are devising ways to use computer programs and other technology to help banking and financial companies improve and manage compliance with government regulations.

“With regulation limiting the development of cryptocurrency, startups are building regtech solutions and hiring MBA graduates for these roles. Hong Kong has become a base close to mainland China to develop digital-asset businesses,” explains Christopher. 

Business schools like HKUST provide career coaching services to help students pinpoint the skills demanded in these emerging sectors. 

“The career coaches help break down your options, providing students with a better understanding of what the job market is like at the time and of Hong Kong as a city,” Varun notes. 

5. MBA jobs in mult-national companies

While finance is typically the most popular career path for MBA graduates in Hong Kong, Christopher says many HKUST MBA students pursue roles across a range of industries, including energy management and healthcare, within multinational companies.

“Due to the huge international student base at HKUST, multinational companies have been drawn to HKUST graduates as the international backgrounds of talent are an asset to the companies,” says Christopher. 

“Many businesses are developing new programs to expand regional business and hiring MBAs to manage this and their marketing strategies.” 

89% of HKUST MBA students are from outside Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, the growth of new industries and focus on sustainability and digitalization is creating exciting new job opportunities for MBAs from across the world. 

This, Christopher says, makes now the perfect time to take advantage of all that Hong Kong has to offer.

Source: BusinessBecause