Construction sector: Counter-offers rising
- Design Manager – West Dublin – Main Contractor. 85,000 residential and commercial works.
- Project Manager – Large Residential Project in West Cork – €95,000 – €105,000 + Package
- Project Manager – (Schools) Tier one main contractor – Ashbourne, Lucan, Blanchardstown and Portlaoise – €100,000 DOE
Across the construction sector, counter offers are becoming far more frequent as employers attempt to hold on to experienced site professionals. A reduced talent pool, combined with ongoing skills shortages, is driving intense competition for project managers and site managers with proven delivery experience. This shortage of available talent is pushing salaries higher and increasing overall package expectations. Employers who are slow to move are losing strong candidates to competitors who act quickly, while candidates with the right experience are in a strong position to negotiate.
Life science sector: Specialist Hires moving quickly
- R&D Engineer III (Medical Devices), Co. Wexford, €55,000 – €65,000
- Maintenance Electrician (Pharmaceuticals), Co. Dublin, €58,000
- Senior Design Assurance Quality Engineer (Medical Devices), Co. Limerick, €60,000 – €83,000
Demand for highly specialised skillsets such as biocompatibility and design assurance continues to drive faster hiring timelines. Companies are reducing interview stages and accelerating decision-making in order to secure candidates before competing offers arise. There has also been a noticeable increase in contract hiring, with organisations bringing in fixed-term specialists to support key projects.
Replacement risk in niche roles: The loss of a single specialist can have a significant impact on project delivery, particularly where highly specific expertise is required. Replacing these individuals often involves long lead times, increasing risk across projects, especially within regulated environments such as GxP and ISO.
Property Sector: Decline of hybrid & remote work in the Property Sector
- Lettings Administrator – Dublin 2 – €35,000 – €40,000
- Property Inspector – Dublin 2 – €40,000
- Marketing Manager – Dublin 4 – €80,000 plus package
Over the past year, many professionals within the property and real estate sector in Ireland have continued to prioritise flexibility, with ongoing demand for hybrid or fully remote roles into 2026. However, the reality is that fully remote opportunities have become extremely limited, with fewer than 2 per cent of roles offering this option, and hybrid working also declining as more employers require staff to be on site.
This shift means employers must ensure offices and developments are adequately staffed, which can create additional challenges when attracting talent. At the same time, candidates continue to value flexibility, and organisations that cannot offer some level of balance risk losing out. For many professionals in the sector, flexibility around working hours and overall work-life balance is now as important as salary and career progression.
Engineering sector: Candidates Withdrawing late-stage
- Intermediate Quantity Surveyor (Civils) – Cork – €65,000 – €70,000
- Quantity Surveyor (Data Centres/Pharmaceutical) – Europe – €70,000 – €80,000
- Site Agent (Energy Sector) – Sligo – €80,000-€85,000
Within the civil engineering market, it is increasingly common for candidates to be involved in multiple interview processes at the same time. Strong demand, combined with counteroffers and improved packages, means that lengthy hiring processes are putting employers at risk. Delays in approvals or decision-making often result in candidates accepting alternative offers, forcing companies to restart their search and potentially impacting project timelines.
Once a competing offer is introduced, negotiations become more complex and expectations can increase. Employers who maintain clear communication, move efficiently, and align salary expectations early in the process are more likely to secure the right talent. A strong overall offering, including culture, progression opportunities and location, continues to be a deciding factor.
Finance Sector: Burnout, Compliance & Retention
- Mortgage Administrator – Dublin City Centre – €35,000 – €40,000
- Credit Controller – Dublin Airport – €35,000 – €45,000
- Mortgage Advisor – South Dublin – €40,000 – €55,000
Hiring levels across financial services and credit unions remain steady; however, internal pressures are increasing. Heightened regulatory oversight from organisations such as the Central Bank of Ireland has led to more extensive compliance and reporting requirements. This is taking place at a time when many teams are still operating with lean headcount, meaning existing employees are managing a broader range of responsibilities.
The result is a growing risk of burnout, which is becoming a key factor in employee movement. Experienced professionals across mortgages, credit control and compliance are increasingly open to new opportunities, not solely for higher salaries, but for improved structure, flexibility and more manageable workloads.
Employers should recognise that hybrid working options, realistic performance expectations and clearer separation of responsibilities are now critical in retaining staff. Retention strategies must go beyond salary increases and focus on creating sustainable and well-balanced roles.
