MENA Hiring Market Update : Q3 2026

Q3 was a busier quarter for hiring across the MENA market. As the quarter progressed from late August into September, we saw more clients move from early conversations into active searches. The conversations changed too. Earlier in the year, many businesses were still working through where they needed to hire and which roles should take priority. By Q3, briefs were more clearly tied to specific business needs, such as entering a new market, strengthening a leadership team or adding expertise in a particular function. That made the market feel more purposeful. Clients were not simply exploring what might be possible. They were coming to us with a clearer view of where they needed support and what they wanted a new hire to achieve.

Hiring Activity Broadened Across the Market

We saw hiring pick up across a much wider range of sectors and functions in Q3, rather than being concentrated in just a few areas. We also saw more senior searches move ahead, particularly where clients had a clear business need and knew exactly what they were looking for. What stood out was not one particular sector dominating the market, but the breadth of activity. That is often a better sign than a spike in one area, because it suggests hiring demand is coming from a wider mix of organisations and business needs.

Technology and AI Remain Strong Areas of Demand

Technology remains one of the busiest areas of the regional talent market. Over the past 12 months, we have seen technology and AI talent across the region grow by more than 40%, and in Q3 we also saw that demand coming through in a much wider range of briefs. AI is now appearing in searches covering communications, marketing, operations, strategy and finance, not just technology roles. Employers want leaders who understand how technology can be used in their own function, where it can improve performance and where experience and judgement are still essential.

The interesting shift is that AI is becoming part of the conversation across the business, rather than sitting separately within the technology team. For clients, it is becoming less about finding people who can simply talk about AI and more about finding people who understand how to use it in a practical way.

Getting the Fit Right Matters More

We also saw stronger candidate interest in the region during Q3, including from international talent. That gives clients more choice, but it also makes getting the fit right even more important. For senior appointments, clients are looking beyond technical experience. The ability to work across different cultures, build relationships quickly and adapt to different decision-making styles is becoming more important, particularly for candidates moving into the region for the first time.

Onboarding has also remained a key part of the conversation. Setting expectations early and helping people understand how the organisation works can make a significant difference to how quickly hires become effective.

For senior hires, particularly those coming into the region for the first time, the first few months matter. The quicker someone understands how the organisation works and how decisions are made, the quicker they can start having an impact.

Outlook for the Rest of 2026

Going into Q4, clients have clearer hiring plans and a stronger sense of where they need to invest in leadership and specialist expertise. There is also a continued focus on balancing international experience with national talent development. In many of the searches we are handling, clients are thinking not only about the immediate appointment, but about the knowledge and expertise that person can help build across the business.

That longer-term view is becoming an important part of senior hiring. The question is not only whether someone can do the job now, but also what they can help build around them.

As we move through Q4 we expect clients to still be selective, but will be willing to invest when there is a clear need for the role.

Whether you are building a team to support growth across the region or considering a senior move into one the region’s expanding sectors, our team is well placed to help. We work with sovereign-backed entities, family offices and global firms across the Middle East and have a strong network of both local and international talent. To speak to our MENA team, get in touch here.

Hanson Search Group is a global talent consultancy providing executive search, recruitment and leadership advisory services. Built on more than twenty years of trusted relationships, we operate as a connected global platform of specialist practices with expert consultants embedded in key markets.