SALES & MARKETING SALARY GUIDE | UAE 2014

CONTENTS
MANAGING DIRECTORS LETTER

SALES, MARKETING & SUPPORT

MARKET INSIGHT
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
SALES

3
4
5
6

UNDERSTANDING THIS GUIDE

TALK TO US

MANAGING
DIRECTORS
LETTER

Welcome to Morgan
McKinleys UAE Salary
Guide 2014.

This guide provides insights into salary trends in key

disciplines and professional communities within the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, based on
what we have observed over the past year, together
with a compilation of hard facts and figures on gross
salaries.

Morgan McKinleys UAE operation is focused on

sourcing talent for mid-management and senior roles
for Banking & Financial Services, Accountancy &
Finance, Energy, Sales & Marketing ,Supply Chain,
Manufacturing, Construction, and Office Support
throughout the GCC.
The GCC is one of the most economically dynamic
regions in the world, with the UAE leading the way
across the Gulf region and this is very much reflected
in the buoyancy of the recruitment market and the
resultant hiring trends.
In our last report we reported that reverberations from
the Eurozone crisis led to a subdued recruitment drive
among UAE-based multinationals in 2012 but
commented that there were signs of returning
confidence. We predicted an upward trend.

Dubai, with the other Emirates, is the employment hub for the
region, with rising levels of demand for consumer goods driving
demand for more Sales & Marketing and Supply Chain
professionals across the Gulf region. Rising levels of demand
within both the green and traditional energy sectors also mean
a growth in opportunities for Power Generation professionals.
Inward and local investment in sectors such as FMCG,
packaging and chemicals is creating demand for Manufacturing
professionals, especially those with knowledge of techniques
such as Six Sigma, as well as Accountants.
With many new projects announced recently, there is a
significant demand for professionals in the Construction and Oil
& Gas industries, with Iraq particularly short of oil industry
specialists.
With the three main credit ratings agencies improving their
ratings, the high level of business activity and improvements in
balance sheets and liquidity, confidence is high in the Banking
& Financial Services sector.
In 2014 we expect to see an increase of 8% to 10% in the
number of job opportunities across all industry sectors and
salaries rising in the range 6% to 8%. Less easy to predict is
the change in the cost of living over the coming years, although
it is safe to say that in many countries the only way is up,
putting pressure on employers and presenting candidates with
some tough choices. However, Morgan McKinley will as ever
be well placed to advise on important issues such as local
accommodation and schooling.
We hope you find the insights presented in this report
interesting and useful, and welcome any feedback.
Trefor Murphy
Managing Director | UAE

Results from 2013 have vindicated this positive

outlook.

T: +971 (0)4 352 2506

The UAE returned to growth in 2013 and this growth

looks certain to accelerate in 2014, with a renewed
focus on the infrastructure, tourism and construction
sectors, especially in light of the news that Dubai will
host Expo 2020.

Morgan McKinley has spent the past 16 years recruiting

mid to senior professionals in the GCC market.

tmurphy@morganmckinley.ae

SALES,
MARKETING & SUPPORT
ADVERTISING, MEDIA & BRANDING | CREATIVE | MARKETING
COMMUNICATIONS | PR | SALES | ADMINISTRATION

SALES, MARKETING & SUPPORT

HIRING TRENDS

TALENT SUPPLY

SALARY & COMPENSATION TRENDS

Alpen Capitals latest report on the GCC

Food Industry estimates that the per
capita food consumption in the region will
expand at a CAGR of 3.1% over 201217, reaching 49.1 million metric tonnes
by the end of 2017. It attributed this
increase to the rapidly growing
population in the GCC, and the increase
in foreign tourists as well as the rising
income levels of the region. Such rapid
developments in demand obviously
present excellent opportunities for private
sector businesses looking to grab a
share of this growing market.

Industry-specific skills are still in short

supply. A notable trend is the need for
candidates that have experience selling
into the North African region. Globally
recognised as an area of significant
growth, established local businesses are
viewing North Africa as the next frontier
to increase profitability and brand
awareness. Again, candidates, especially
within FMCG or SMCG sales that have
niche skills and experience are finding
their opportunity to move to a direct
competitor as a much easier option that
moving onto a new product; hiring
managers want to utilise the available
skills set in a competitive market.

The demand for niche sector experience

has driven up salaries across the region.
Sales and Marketing professionals are
also seeing a rise in profit-related bonus
and commission schemes, with many
companies offering such incentive
programmes as a win for both parties,
especially in growing markets.

In 2013 Morgan McKinley saw a rise in

the number of international SMEs
entering or expanding within the market
and we expect this trend to develop
further in 2014. Distribution companies
are also expanding, bringing to market
more international brands to satisfy the
expat community within the region.
Across financial services, the need for
quality corporate communications, PR
and marketing experience has also been
significant. Morgan McKinley continues
to build strong teams for our agency
clients and predicts that the blossoming
construction and real estate markets will
drive further hiring.

Agencies within the PR, marketing and

corporate communications space are
back on track and are starting to pick up
some serious traction after the financial
crash of 2008, with a large increase in
the number of newly posted opportunities
in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE in
particular.

Despite the increasing demand for

quality candidates, agency remuneration
packages have shown little growth in the
UAE a rather odd exception. This is not
the case with agencies in Saudi Arabia
and Qatar, who appear to be increasing
their incentives and salary packages
considerably.
If the market expands at the rate
expected, job seekers in the region can
expect to see a continuing upward trend
in compensation packages. Experience
across a wider geography, including
Africa, will be a key asset for sales and
marketing candidates looking to boost
their salaries. Many HR teams are also
reorganising their bonus, commission
and salary schemes to ensure staff
retention, especially at the key mid
management level.

SALES, MARKETING & SUPPORT

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

GROSS SALARIES (AED PER MONTH)

0-3 years
experience

3-5 years
experience

5-8 years
experience

8+ years

Marketing Executive

8,000 - 13,000

13,000 +

Marketing Manager

15,000 - 18,000

18,000 - 21,000

21,000 - 27,000

Marketing Director

2,0000 - 22,000

22,000 - 25,000

25,000 - 28,000

28,000 - 35,000+

PR Account Executive

10,000 - 13,000

13,000 +

PR Account Manager

15,000 -17,000

17,000 - 19,000

PR Account Director

2,0000 - 23,000

23,000 - 25,000

26,000 - 28,000

28,000 - 32,000

Corporate Communications Manager

2,0000 - 23,000

23,000 -25,000

26,000 - 30,000

Head of Corporate Communications

3,0000 - 33,000

33,000 - 35,000

35,000 -38,000

38,000 - 42,000

Digital Account Manager

2,0000 - 23,000

23,000 - 25,000

26,000 - 29,000

Digital Account Director

25,000 - 27,000

27,000 - 29,000

29,000 - 31,000

32,000 - 40,000 +

Role:

SALES, MARKETING & SUPPORT

SALES

GROSS SALARIES (AED PER MONTH)

0-3 years
experience

3-5 years
experience

5-8 years
experience

8+ years

Sales Director

42,000 - 46,000

44,000 - 50,000

50,000 - 55,000

60,000 +

Sales Manager

25,000 - 28,000

28,000 - 32,000

35,000 - 38,000

45,000 +

Sales Executive

15,000 - 20,000

20,000 - 24,000

24,000 +

National Sales Manager

25,000 - 28,000

28,000 - 32,000

35,000 - 38,000

40,000 +

Regional Sales Manager

22,000 - 26,000

26,000 - 30,000

25,000 - 38,000

38,000 +

Account Manager

12,000 - 16,000

20,000 - 22,000

22,000 - 24,000

Retail Sales Manager

10,000 - 14,000

14,000 - 18,000

22,000 - 26,000

30,000 +

Sales & Marketing Manager

18,000 - 20,000

22,000 - 26,000

27,000 - 30,000

32,000 - 36,000

Business Development Director

40,000 - 44,000

44,000 - 46,000

50,000 - 55,000

55,000 +

Business Development Manager

25,000 - 26,000

26,000 - 28,000

30,000 - 32,000

35,000 +

Role:

SALES & MARKETING SALARY GUIDE | UAE 2014

UNDERSTANDING THIS GUIDE

METHODOLOGY:
The salary information provided in this guide has
been compiled by dedicated researchers across
Morgan McKinleys sales, marketing and support
divisions. Our researchers are in regular contact
with both employers and candidates across these
sectors in the UAE.

Please note, the information presented in this

document should be used as a general guide only.
Where number of years experience is mentioned, it
is only to give an approximate framework in which to
gauge what a typical professional is likely to earn
with the level of experience shown.

SALARY DATA:

In order to match candidates to the right career

opportunity for them, Morgan McKinley assesses
individuals on all their skills and abilities when
deciding on their suitability for roles with our clients.

The salary ranges in this guide are indications of

what individuals with similar experience might
expect to earn in new roles in 2014. This salary
data is based on placements made during the
last six months, as well as the specialist
knowledge of Morgan McKinleys consultants.

Finally, the gross salary is quoted which is defined

as the total gross salary paid each month not
including bonus payments, guaranteed or otherwise.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
For more specific salary or hiring information, please
visit www.morganmckinley.ae or contact your
Morgan McKinley consultant directly.

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