Searching Smarter: The Financial Services Careers & Hiring Podcast

The insurance and actuarial sector is evolving fast - salaries are rising, flexible working offerings and changing, and firms are competing harder than ever for the right candidates.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, Nicole Mahoney, SVP - Head of Life, Annuity & Health Actuarial Recruitment at Selby Jennings, joins us to explore key findings from the 2025 Talent Report.

We unpack how shifts and market disruptions are shaping both employer strategies and candidate expectations.

If you’re hiring in the insurance and actuarial space - or considering a move - this conversation offers the latest data and expert insights to help you stay ahead.

Covered in this episode:

- 00:00 – Intro

- 01:08 – What are the salary trends in insurance and actuarial?

- 03:07 – Bonuses in the insurance and actuarial sector.

- 06:53 – Flexible working in insurance and actuarial, and how changes have affected the sector.

- 11:56 – How have bonuses affected attrition in the insurance and actuarial sector?

- 14:24 – Industry disruptions and future trends in insurance and actuarial for the rest of 2025.

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Download the 2025 Talent Report - https://hubs.la/Q03mGjz-0

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/

Nicole Mahoney on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahoneynicole/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

One of the most stable yet important verticals within financial services is risk management. 

And that’s why, in this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, Anthony McCann, Executive Director - US Head of Risk Management & Analytics & Financial Operations at Selby Jennings, to break down the latest trends shaping compensation and career moves in the risk space.

Every year, we survey thousands of financial sciences and services professionals on how they’re feeling about their salaries, bonuses, benefits and which factors are contributing to career change decisions. And we’ve pulled three of the biggest factors that are driving market moves in risk management for this episode.

If you work in risk management or manage a team in risk management, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate hiring and career growth in the sector.

Covered in this episode:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 00:52 – Are candidates within risk management being paid more this year?
• 05:31 – What’s driving career moves within risk management?
• 09:57 – Bonuses in risk management: expectation vs. reality.
• 12:15 – Work flexibility, return to office, and retention within risk management.
• 21:15 – The outlook for the risk market for the rest of 2025.

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Download the 2025 Talent Report - https://hubs.la/Q03mGjz-0

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Anthony McCann on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-mccann-35606759/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

Bonuses don’t just reflect past performance - they often signal future moves.

That’s why we’re breaking down our findings from the 2025 Talent Report across seven verticals within financial sciences and services. 

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, Elizabeth Holmes, AVP Manager - Quantitative Analytics, Research & Trading Recruitment at Selby Jennings, joins us to unpack the key findings from the report as they pertain to the quants market.

From shifting candidate expectations to how academic motivations affect career and hiring decisions, Elizabeth shares what firms and professionals need to know to navigate the current quants landscape.

Covered in this episode:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:33 – How are quants professionals feeling about their bonuses currently?
• 03:02 – How market sentiment is affecting career move decisions.
• 06:10 – Does academic grounding still matter in the quants market?
• 08:58 – The state of return to office and flexible working within quants.
• 10:11 – Talent trends within quants moving into 2025.

Don’t miss the next part of this series - be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

LEARN MORE

Download the 2025 Talent Report - https://hubs.la/Q03mGjz-0

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Elizabeth Holmes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-holmes12/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

Are top performers in investment banking being rewarded? Let’s find out.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, Brianne Sterling, Head of Investment Banking Recruitment at Selby Jennings, joins us to unpack the biggest insights from the 2025 Talent Report.

Whether you're hiring investment bankers for your team or considering your next move as an investment banking professional, the insights from this episode will help you better navigate pay, performance and retention in 2025.

Covered in this episode:

• 02:06 - Salary and compensation trends in 2024 and 2025.
• 07:41 - Bonus expectations and realities within investment banking.
• 15:54 - Why are bankers leaving firms?
• 20:31 - Final thoughts.

Don’t miss the next part of this series - be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

LEARN MORE

Download the 2025 Talent Report - https://hubs.la/Q03mGjz-0

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Brianne Sterling on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianne-sterling-n%C3%A9e-toole-aa842272/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

What’s really happening in the financial sciences and services talent market?

That’s what we aim to uncover with the 2025 Talent Report. Every year, Selby Jennings produces a bonuses and salary survey report to provide empirical data for the financial sciences and services industry.

The report equips clients with insights and strategies needed to hire, develop and retain top talent, and helps candidates navigate the ever-changing job market.

And in this episode, US Head of Selby Jennings, Ben Hodzic, joins us to break down the key findings from the latest report and what they mean for 2025.

Covered in this episode:

• 2:16 - What the 2025 Talent Report reveals from the candidate and client perspective.
• 4:11 - The biggest takeaways from the report.
• 6:00 - How bonuses and the employment market have evolved over the past two years.
• 11:19 - Return to office insights - what are the expectations and what are firms providing?
• 18:33 - What to expect from the talent market throughout 2025.

This is the first part of a mini-series where we’ll uncover all the insights you need to know from the report. So if you’re not already, subscribe to the Searching Smarter podcast on your podcast platform of choice, so you don’t miss the rest of the series.

LEARN MORE

Download the 2025 Talent Report - https://hubs.la/Q03mGjz-0

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Ben Hodzic on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodzic-25a8bb59/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

The path to a career in portfolio management isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. With the industry evolving and the bar raising, what’s the best way to break into the hedge fund sector today?

Doug Garber, host of the investment podcast, Pitch The PM and experienced investor, has worked at some of the biggest names in the hedge fund industry, including Millennium and Citadel.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, he shares what it really takes to succeed as a PM, the importance of process in investing, and how aspiring traders and financial services professionals can stand out in today’s market.

Covered in this episode:

• 2:00 – Doug’s journey into financial services and how he secured roles at Millennium and Citadel.
• 12:19 – Why process is everything in investing.
• 13:47 – Understanding the ins and outs of a portfolio manager role.
• 23:30 – Owning your investment process - what it means and how big firms do it.
• 28:03 – The role of research in a hedge fund’s success.
• 30:53 – Is sell-side experience essential to break into the buy-side?
• 35:14 – How the talent bar is changing in investment roles.
• 38:40 – How aspiring traders and financial services professionals can stand out in today’s market.
• 41:09 – Is investing in AI underhyped or overhyped?
• 43:59 – Behind the scenes of The Pitch the PM podcast.

If you're currently navigating a hedge fund or investment management career, this conversation is packed with insider insights to help you take the next step.

LEARN MORE

Pitch The PM - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitch-the-pm/ 

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Doug Garber on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-garber-42aa508/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

The talent outlook within hedge funds is evolving. With AI and data-driven investing expanding, what skills separate highly sought-after talent from the rest?

In this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Marc Greenberg, a lifelong long/short equity expert who has worked across the buy and sell side as an analyst, portfolio manager, and consultant. Now, Marc supports medium-sized hedge funds through his firm, Greener Pastures.

We dive into how hedge funds attract and assess talent in today's landscape. We explore emerging skill sets, the quantamental approach to investing, and why hiring decisions are more critical than ever.

If you're in hedge fund recruiting, or looking to break into the industry, this episode is packed with insights you need to hear.

• 2:05 - Marc’s career journey to building Greener Pastures.
• 5:24 - Why hedge funds must start strong with tech and talent.
• 7:35 - Why hiring decisions are the most important factor in a hedge fund’s success.
• 9:21 - How and why the talent bar has been raised in hedge funds.
• 11:15 - The emerging skill sets that separate top performers.
• 15:42 - The critical skills hedge funds are looking for.
• 16:59 - Quantamental vs. systematic investing - where is the hedge fund industry headed?
• 21:08 - A look into the future with Greener Pastures.
• 23:14 - Underhyped or overhyped - Will quantamental investing overtake fundamental strategies as AI advances?

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Marc Greenberg on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-greenberg-cfa/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

What does it take to build a cyber-ready workforce in financial services? As AI evolves, so do the challenges and opportunities in the cybersecurity sector. 

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Giancarlo Hirsch, Managing Director at Glocomms - Phaidon International’s technology brand.

Gianocarlo specializes in technology talent. He shares insights into the most in-demand cybersecurity skills, the impact of AI on job roles, and what hybrid working looks like within the industry.

Whether you're a hiring manager looking to future-proof your cybersecurity team or a candidate wondering where the biggest career opportunities lie, this episode is for you.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro.
• 2:23 - What does the talent market in cybersecurity look like today?
• 4:45 - The most highly sought-after skillsets within technology and cybersecurity.
• 9:25 - Identity authentication and its impact on talent needs.
• 11:58 - Understanding authentication and what’s happening behind the scenes.
• 16:08 - Is AI taking cybersecurity jobs?
• 16:35 - How AI is benefiting and developing cybersecurity roles.
• 19:11 - How cybersecurity companies are incorporating AI solutions.
• 19:32 - What hybrid work looks like for cybersecurity teams and who has the most leverage.
• 22:52 - Underhyped or overhyped: The demand for cybersecurity roles.

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Giancarlo Hirsch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gchirsch/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

As AI transforms the banking and financial sector, the gap between leading and lagging organizations is widening. But what does this mean for talent, innovation, and the industry’s future?

In this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Alexandra Mousavizadeh, CEO and Co-Founder of financial services indexing and rating company, Evident.

From leading banks’ strategies to the evolving role of generative AI, Alexandra shares insights on how AI is changing the way banks hire, innovate, and use their data.

Whether you're a hiring manager navigating the rise of AI in financial services or a candidate wondering how AI will impact your career, this episode dives deep into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of banking.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:00 - Insights from the recent Evident AI symposium in New York City.
• 2:52 - Alexandra’s journey to founding Evident AI.
• 5:45 - Which banks are leading in AI adoption?
• 10:34 - What are the leading banks looking for when it comes to talent?
• 13:03 - How banks are incorporating AI research.
• 17:20 - How can large language models (LLMs) make financial services more efficient?
• 17:58 - Is AI taking over banking roles?
• 20:41 - How storage and utilization of data is becoming a key focus.
• 23:30 - What’s overhyped and underhyped about AI in financial services?
• 24:34 - When can we expect AI to fully integrate into our everyday lives?
• And much more…

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.



LEARN MORE

The Evident AI Index - https://evidentinsights.com/ai-index/ 

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/

Alexandra V. Mousavizadeh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-mousavizadeh/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

Fostering an inclusive workplace is a top priority for many of today's business leaders, especially when it comes to the financial sciences & services industry.

Converting intent into action can often be a challenge, however, so that's why Julie Flowers is the perfect guest for this episode.

Julie spent three decades at Chevron in global HR and talent acquisition roles before starting her own business dedicated to coaching and empowering seasoned career women to achieve their full potential.

Julie views people as a company’s number one asset and believes that there is huge untapped potential within the female workforce. Julie shares actionable strategies for recognizing your worth, overcoming self-doubt, and advocating for yourself in your career.

If you’re seeking practical advice and inspiration to advance your career or better support your teams, this episode is a must-listen.

Covered in this episode:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:24 - Why people are a company’s most important asset.
• 07:21 - What’s it like working for a Fortune 10 company like Chevron?
• 10:51 - The oil and gas industry as a financial services vehicle.
• 12:35 - Why Julie has chosen to coach women, and why women are downplaying their worth, value and purpose in the workplace.
• 16:04 - The challenges women still face in the workplace.
• 19:51 - Actionable strategies to discover blind spots around your own value to boost your confidence.
• 23:46 - The gender gap - how much progress have we made?
• 25:42 - Julie’s book and podcast recommendations for personal growth as a professional.
• And much more…

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

Elevate YOU Coaching - https://elevateyoucoaching.org/ 

Julie’s new podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/savvy-sisters-cocktail-conversations/id1778977988 

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Julie Flowers on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-flowers-936b2753/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw