The protection of sensitive data, the use of the latest technologies—including AI in finance—and the growing importance of mobile solutions and digital customer experience (CX) are trends shaping the job market in the financial and real estate sectors. According to the ManpowerGroup report “Financials & Real Estate Industry World of Work 2025,” the increasing demand for data analysis specialists and the gradual return to office work signal significant changes in the industry.
New Flexibility, Old Rules
The latest ManpowerGroup report, “Financials & Real Estate Industry World of Work 2025,” analyzes global trends shaping the finance and real estate sectors and their impact on the labor market. After a period dominated by workplace flexibility, a return to office work is approaching. According to KPMG, as many as 83% of CEOs worldwide anticipate that within three years, their teams will work exclusively in-office—a significant increase compared to 2023, when only 64% of leaders predicted this scenario. At the same time, 6 out of 10 employees worldwide acknowledge that companies currently have greater control over determining the work model.
Maciej Mamrot, a labor market expert at Manpower in the finance and accounting sector, notes that while the hybrid model—allowing 2-3 days of remote work—has become standard, eliminating remote work options may result in the loss of valuable candidates. “Nonetheless, companies are increasingly appreciating the willingness to work from the office, especially for junior positions. Although the current balance of power in the job market favors employers, it is important not to overuse this advantage. As the economic situation improves, the job market will also strengthen. Currently, workplace flexibility is one of the key factors considered by candidates in recruitment processes, alongside job stability and career development opportunities. Existing employees also value remote work as an important benefit,” he adds.
Meanwhile, Grzegorz Kózka, a recruitment expert in the real estate sector, highlights that the return-to-office trend is particularly noticeable in real estate, with many companies actively promoting and striving to fully implement an in-office work model. “Some organizations allow a hybrid model with 1-2 remote workdays per week. Advisory agencies show slightly more flexibility, though typically not exceeding three remote workdays. In development companies, direct client interactions—relationship-building and business meetings—are fundamental to effective operations. Office work also fosters project team integration, which positively impacts their morale and efficiency. Real estate professionals recognize that business growth relies on team synergy, best reinforced through daily office presence,” explains the Manpower expert.
AI and the Future of Skills
Experts from the World Economic Forum in the “Future of Jobs Report 2025” emphasize that the financial sector is adopting AI solutions faster than other industries. By 2030, specialists in Big Data, AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity will be among the fastest-growing roles. Simultaneously, according to ManpowerGroup data, 72% of employers in the finance and real estate sectors worldwide admit to struggling to find employees with key skills. In Poland, this issue affects 55% of companies. The greatest recruitment challenges concern IT specialists and data analysts. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, there is an increasing need to bridge skill gaps and invest in employee development. Skill gaps related to AI were identified by 30% of companies globally as one of the main challenges in implementing artificial intelligence.
Katarzyna Kwiecińska, a recruitment partner for finance and accounting firms at Manpower, highlights that automation and technology advancements, including robotic process automation (RPA) and AI, are taking over routine tasks, allowing specialists to focus on analysis and strategy. “There is a growing demand for experts implementing new solutions, optimizing processes, and working with analytical tools like Power BI and Power Query. As technological innovation accelerates, competition between industries for a limited pool of skilled tech talent will intensify. Companies that effectively adapt their recruitment strategies to new trends—offering competitive salaries, development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements—will gain an edge in attracting top talent,” she adds.
“Digitization in the real estate sector is not a new phenomenon; we have been observing its development for several years. The most rapidly adopted and commonly used technologies include Big Data, AI, VR, and cloud computing. Digitalization primarily supports administrative processes in project management, property maintenance and operations, as well as sales processes,” says Grzegorz Kózka. “A key aspect of digitization is data collection and analysis—both internal and external—which allows for process optimization, including efficient energy management. Most importantly, it provides tools for in-depth analysis and strategic decision-making. Implemented solutions aim to save time and costs while minimizing the risk of human errors. The rapid advancement of technology ensures that the demand for experts capable of effectively implementing and utilizing modern solutions will continue to grow,” adds the Manpower representative.
Digital Customer Experience Shapes the Demand for New Skills
Financial service leaders are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and Big Data to anticipate customer needs and enhance digital customer experience (CX). According to McKinsey, 57% of users worldwide now actively use mobile devices for banking—an 18-percentage-point increase compared to 2020-2023. Customers expect personalized content and features, and 60% of them, according to Accenture, would be willing to share more data in exchange for faster and more convenient services, such as simplified insurance claims processing without lengthy forms. At the same time, financial and real estate sector companies face challenges in acquiring employees with sales and customer service skills needed to improve customer experience quality.
Source: ManagerPlus
