Demand for senior IT specialists is outstripping supply,
pushing up salaries, according to research by recruitment firm Best
People.
The survey of more than 100 companies recruiting for IT roles
highlighted a lack of director and senior management-level IT
professionals.
This has resulted in
improved salaries and benefits packages as firms compete to
attract candidates. Some 75% of companies said they offered
employees
flexible working, and 85% said their benefits package was
standard or above.
The recruitment agency said salaries are set to "soar" as
employers have to recruit from a shrinking pool of talent.
Companies are also struggling to fill vacancies quickly,
according to the survey. It found that 50% of those recruiting said
it took more than three months to fill a director or senior
management role. Nearly 10% had experienced a five-month wait.
Steve Baxter, director at Best People, said, "The increased
demand from our clients reflects the shortage of good executive
candidates in the IT recruitment marketplace. There are simply not
enough IT workers looking for opportunities. We anticipate no
decline in market growth and sourcing niche candidates will remain
a priority."
He added that the techniques needed to attract good employees
must go beyond a good salary.
"A good
work/life balance is just as important as an attractive salary.
Although benefits offered to IT professionals may be
industry-leading, flexible working is now expected as even more
employees demand packages to suit their lifestyles."