To Singapore & Live Roles - W/E 7th September

Hello and welcome back to MCG Talent - Asia’s weekly Newsletter. 

Each week we bring to you our priority roles, latest updates and insights into what we’re seeing in the market at the moment. 

Live roles, market insights + something new this week - we’re now on Whatsapp!

Table of Contents

• New Launch (Whatsapp!)

• To Singapore (Market Insights)

• Priority Roles - W/E 7th September - Asia

• FAQ - How's the Market Looking?

For any new readers, you can check out our previous editions here.

• The Cover Letter is dead. Replace it with this.

• Do this and let jobs come to you.

• Why you should go all in on LinkedIn.

• Nail your next interview with these 5 tips.

• Make sure these three things are not on your CV.

Quick One - We’ve started an MCG Whatsapp Channel for daily updates on live roles before they are advertised on LinkedIn.

We’re still figuring out how to best position ourselves but we hope this will grow into our most direct method of outreach yet.

New jobs → direct to your phone → as they come in.

Sign up here!

New week I’m back to Singapore and things are a little bit different this time around.

The first time I visited, I had two reference points.

→ The Merlion
→ Marina Bay Sands

Not very helpful when they're facing opposite each other (see below)

Didn’t know where to go.
Didn’t know a single person.

Thankfully, you adapt and figure things out fast.

Repeat visits and a lot of coffees have led to us being in a situation where Singapore has been very kind to us over the last year.

This time we're flying out with a calendar that looks a lot busier than the first time.

Breaking SG reinforced a few things about moving in a new market:

→ Keep saying yes, until you're in a position to start saying no
→ Listen more than you talk
→ Stay curious and follow up with everyone

And a special one just for Singapore: Carry a spare polo shirt for the summer months 😂

Very grateful to be able to split time between two phenomenal and very different cities in HK and SG.
 
Singapore, excited to be back and I’ll see you next week.

P.S. Anyone in Singapore who can recommend the best restaurants/coffee shops?

In the meantime, here’s our priority roles for the week 😎

Priority Roles - W/E 7th September - Asia. 

↳ Project Manager - Luxury/Retail - UAE 🇦🇪 

Our client is a leading luxury and retail firm based in Dubai. They are seeking a Project Manager with a strong background in luxury retail to drive the execution of high-profile retail projects.

Candidates must have a proven track record in managing luxury retail projects, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and a deep understanding of the UAE’s luxury market and consumer trends. Recent experience delivering high-end store openings or brand experiences is essential.

Fluency in English is mandatory, with Arabic as an advantage. For more information, please contact Tom Southgate.

↳ Program Director - Creative/Advertising - Tokyo 🇯🇵 

We are working with a top-tier creative agency in Tokyo who are seeking a Program Director (with a Creative background) to lead a dedicated team of project managers, creatives, digital designers, developers, and video producers. This role will collaborate closely with teams in APAC.

The role demands extensive agency experience, with expertise in shaping creative strategies and leading multidisciplinary teams in Japan. Candidates must have a deep understanding of the Japanese market and consumer trends, with a track record of delivering bold, impactful campaigns.

Fluency in Japanese and English is required. For further details, please send Harry Lee a message.

↳ Business Development Lead - Cryptocurrency/Blockchain - Singapore 🇸🇬 

A fast-growing cryptocurrency and blockchain company based in Singapore, is seeking a Business Development Lead with a strong background in fintech sales to drive client acquisition and business growth.

Candidates must have a proven track record in securing high-value clients in the cryptocurrency or blockchain sector, exceptional networking skills, and a deep understanding of Singapore’s fintech ecosystem and regulatory landscape.

Recent experience in closing deals within the Web3 space is essential. Fluency in English is mandatory, with Mandarin as an advantage. For more information, please contact Harry Lee.

Must have a valid RTW in Singapore - we are unable to sponsor for this position.

↳ Financial Communications Director - PR - Singapore/Hong Kong 🇸🇬🇭🇰 

We are partnered with a leading PR firm with operations in Singapore and Hong Kong who are seeking a Financial Communications Director with extensive experience in financial PR to drive strategic communications and client growth.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in crafting high-impact financial communications strategies, strong relationships within the financial services sector, and expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments in Singapore and/or Hong Kong.

The role is based in either Singapore or Hong Kong but requires close collaboration with regional teams, with potential travel between the two locations.

Fluency in English is mandatory, with Mandarin and/or Cantonese (per location) as a strong advantage. For further details, please contact Anisha Kukreja.

If you have friends or colleagues who might match the criteria of the above - please share this email so they can reach out and apply.

FAQ - How’s the Market Looking? - September 2025

Our most frequently asked question. It’s hard to be specific as we work across multiple markets and verticals but the general gist is that we remain in a client-driven market.

Put simply: Supply (applicants looking) outweighs demand (jobs available).

This tighter market is reflected in the downward results of the large Recruitment PLCs and something we anticipate to carry over into 2026.

Our advice is to stay consistent, build an online presence and go off-LinkedIn as much as possible when applying for new positions.

We’ve previously written about the importance of staying visible, patience and breaking through in crowded markets.

Made it this far? Thanks for reading! Make sure to drop me a Connect on LinkedIn for more live roles and day to day across both the Middle East and Asia!