Manchester businesses aren’t waiting any more. After a long period of holding off on permanent hires, they’re making them, and the latest figures show the North of England is now leading the country.
The KPMG and REC Report on Jobs: North of England, published on 8 October, found that permanent placements across the region rose in September at their strongest rate since mid-2022. The North led all four monitored English regions for both permanent and temporary staff demand, permanent vacancies rose for the first time since April, and temporary vacancies grew for an eighth month in a row. KPMG also reported that starting salaries in the North are rising faster than anywhere else in England.
That last point tells you a lot. Faster-rising salaries mean employers know they’re in competition for good people, and they’re willing to pay to win.
At TalentYard, we recruit PAs, Executive Assistants, Office Managers and HR professionals across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the North West. Our 2026 salary guide puts Manchester and North West Executive Assistants supporting directors and the C-suite at £40,000 to £60,000, with Office Managers and hybrid PA-Office Manager roles at £32,000 to £45,000. Most roles are hybrid, typically with two to three days in the office.
I also think Manchester offers something London often can’t. Assistants here tend to wear more hats, which means faster progression and broader experience, often with a better work-life balance and lower living costs for a similar level of responsibility. For ambitious PAs and HR professionals, that’s a very attractive proposition, and it’s why I’m seeing strong candidates choose the North West.
The demand we’re seeing comes from professional services, construction and property, healthcare, technology and fast-growing, investor-backed businesses. They all want organised, systems-confident support staff who can take ownership.
My advice is simple. Candidates who stand out are the ones who can show real impact, not just list duties. And the employers getting the best hires are the ones who move quickly and are clear about what success looks like in the role.
