Focus on Central Eastern Europe tips for the globally mobile Viewpoint careers advice blog

Focus on Central Eastern Europe â€" tips for the globally mobile Ever considered a move to Central Eastern Europe (CEE) to further your career? Do you know which countries the region comprises? Don’t feel bad if not â€" CEE can mean different things to different people. Think places like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and you’re in the right neck of the woods â€" sublime classical music and stunning medieval cities are all part of the cultural landscape. But what about the landscape for job opportunities in the healthcare industry? Might it be a viable work destination for you â€" in commercial pharma, medical devices, logistics, RD, digital marketing or something else? Central Europe is opening up CEE countries with good growth potential include the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Romania, all of which have been incorporated into the European Union. That has brought them under the influence of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and increased regulatory harmonisation. These countries have the most experience in producing pharmaceuticals in the region, with companies like Sanofi, Pfizer and other large multinationals dominating the field. The region is also set to become a hub of contract manufacturing and research â€" according to Reuters Cortellis Clinical Trials Intelligence, there are currently over 2,260 clinical trials in phases I to III within the region, with leading Contract Research Organisation (CRO) locations in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Pressures on the industry in recent years have included the global economic crisis, government preference for reimbursing generic over branded drugs, and the introduction in Hungary and Romania of the so-called ‘rep tax’, which has resulted in companies reducing their sales forces. New drugs onto the market must have clear and proven benefits for the patient, which has seen an increase in specialisation in areas such as oncology, nephrology and rare diseases. But as the clouds of economic adversity begin to disperse and companies adapt themselves to meet prevailing government and regulatory conditions, new types of employment opportunities are emerging. Meeting the skills challenge In my experience of the market in the Czech Republic, companies are increasingly recruiting smaller numbers of people with wider competencies â€" especially those with pharmaco-economic and business skills. This is borne out by my colleagues elsewhere in the region. It is clear that firms are looking for candidates who are multi-taskers. Because they are changing their models, there are an increasing number of key account managers who can open doors across organisational structures â€" people who will have access to financial managers, can make strategic commercial decisions and can speak to hospitals as well. These are new roles for some companies, and it’s more about price and economics than ever before. Consistent with the global trend reported in the 2013 Hays Global Skills Index, I see a shortage of skills in the region. This is particularly pronounced among those with qualifications in quality assurance, clinical project managers, medical advisors, compliance managers and those with technical experience in medical devices. When it comes to recruiting non-local candidates, my colleague, Peter Sitte, Hays Life Sciences Recruitment Manager based in Hungary comments: “In terms of global mobility, we’re more likely to see incoming talent through high level marketing roles, where large multinationals want to import new ideas into the region from company head-quarters â€" typically from the UK, France, Switzerland, Germany and the USA.” He notes that clinical project management and RD are specific areas where individuals from Western countries are welcomed with open arms, because of the significant contribution they can make to meeting skills shortages. What about the money? Salaries in CEE are generally lower than in Western countries, but the cost of living is lower too. So when people come it’s not so much about the money, but more about career advancement and gaining broader experience. That and, of course, the fresh air, cobbled streets and cultural delights that can only be experienced in the heart of Europe â€" and you can’t put a price on that! Have you worked in the CEE and made the move to another country? Maybe you’d like to explore a move? For general advice on relocating, you may like to read this Viewpoint article, and for insights on the material covered here, please share your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ below. Join the Life Sciences Industry Insights with Hays LinkedIn group to share your thoughts and stay up-to-date with the latest on business, employment and recruitment news in the life sciences industry. Join the conversation