What clients and candidates are experiencing right now in Pharma and MedTech
As 2026 gets underway, finance teams within pharmaceutical and MedTech organisations are operating in a more considered and deliberate hiring environment. These insights reflect what is consistently coming through in hiring conversations on both sides of the market.
Finance roles within healthcare are becoming more visible, more connected to the business, and more closely aligned with decision-making than in previous years.
Finance is playing a more visible role in decision-making
Employers are increasingly looking to finance professionals not only for accuracy and compliance, but for insight, support and sound judgement, particularly in regulated and fast-moving environments.
In practice, this means finance is being involved earlier in conversations, rather than validating decisions after the fact.
For candidates, this shift has changed how roles are assessed in interviews. Hiring managers are placing less emphasis on task ownership and more focus on how finance professionals have influenced outcomes, supported stakeholders or improved processes.
Regulated industry experience continues to hold strong value
Pharmaceutical and MedTech organisations remain focused on compliance, audit readiness and governance.
From a client perspective, finance professionals with regulated industry experience reduce risk and shorten onboarding time. From a candidate perspective, this experience continues to be a strong long-term differentiator in the market.
Systems and data quality remain front of mind
Many organisations are refining reporting processes, improving controls or bedding down ERP systems.
Candidates do not need to be systems specialists, but those who are comfortable working with structured data, reporting environments and periods of change are resonating strongly in hiring conversations.
Contract finance is a strategic, not reactive, solution
Contract and project-based finance roles continue to play a key role across pharma and MedTech, particularly where organisations are managing transformation, growth or interim gaps.
Clients value the flexibility and immediate capability these professionals provide, while candidates increasingly view contract roles as intentional career moves that offer exposure to complex environments and meaningful work.
Hiring and career decisions are more intentional
Both clients and candidates are approaching 2026 with greater clarity.
Hiring decisions are being made thoughtfully rather than reactively, while finance professionals are taking more time to assess scope, leadership and long-term fit before making a move.
As 2026 continues, alignment and communication are becoming just as important as technical capability.