“Whom do Russian companies invite to work from abroad?“
“First of all it is top managers. If a company deals with export markets or its shares are traded on the New York or London stock exchanges, then western managers are hired as chief financial officers, investment experts and in a number of other key positions. The explanation is very simple: it is these people who have to communicate with their colleagues in the west. And if they studied in the same business school it makes establishing communication so much easier.Another typical case is when a western company opens a plant or a subsidiary in Russia. Then it is natural that experts come from Europe, from the company‘s head office, not only to fill the position of plant or branch manager, but also for other leadership and engineering positions. They then set up the production. In time, when Russian experts are trained, a process of substitution will take place. A classic example of this is IKEA. Top managers from the parent company stayed only for the beginning of their business growth.Or take the oil and gas sector. When you buy imported equipment (Norwegian or German, for example), you invite experts from abroad. But they tend to come for a limited time, train local experts and then leave again.“
“What is the normal term of stay for Western experts?“
“Top managers are piece experts. Individual agreements and contracts are reached with each of them. But for experts at any level, the minimum contract term is three years, and then anything else depends on additional conditions and arrangements. Naturally this does not apply to shift work arrangements.“
“How has the demand for foreign experts changed in recent years?“
“Demand is growing. And the government has responded to this too. One should just think of the changes to our legislation made in the spring that simplify entry into Russia for qualified professionals. I should point out that such an expert here is considered to be someone whose salary exceeds one million rubles per year. This is not such a large amount, around 25,000 Euros, but even so, special exception is made for those who are invited to work at Skolkovo – in this case the size of the pay is not important, it is all at the discretion of the employer.“
Therefore it is more correct not to speak of a western manager, but rather a manager of the western style.
“What is the salary of a Western top manager in Russia?““Up to 250,000 to 300,000 Euros per year in a large company. But whereas previously Western specialists were paid significantly more than Russian ones, now wages are becoming even. Highly skilled experts get the same salary, social payments and compensation regardless of their nationality. If there are Russian citizens with the same competence, they will be paid exactly the same as foreigners. Therefore it is more correct not to speak of a western manager, but rather a manager of the western style.“
“Recently a French doctor explained that his motivation for moving to Russia was very simple: ‚When I was offered a salary four times bigger than I was getting in Turin, I didn‘t think too long about it...‘”
“If you found a Russian doctor of the same level, he would be paid the same amount. Doctors with special skills are worth it...There is another reason that it is advantageous for foreigners to work in Russia. Our system of taxation includes a flat-rate income tax of 13 percent. Even if the salaries of a top manager or a specialist in Germany and Russia are the same, in Russia a greater amount will remain in their hands after tax.“
So it is not only a financial officer who could easily find a job in Russia, but a good chef could too.
“How big is the market for foreign professionals in Russia?“
“It is fairly large, but I would not say that it is a separate market. The world economy has become quite globalized. If we are talking about unique and highly-qualified experts, people will be happy to have them anywhere, so it is not only a financial officer who could easily find a job in Russia, but a good chef could too. Most employers do not care whether their programmers are British, French or Russian. Another thing is that wages for certain professionals are higher in different countries. And so specialists will travel there from abroad.Thanks to the Internet, job search has become much easier, and there are many vacancies like these on our website and in the databases of recruitment agencies. This is shown by the fact that such famous headhunting companies as Egon Zehnder International, Michael Page and many others, have opened offices in Russia.