North Bund goes global in manager search

The North Bund Group is seeking a professional to oversee planning and projects on the Huangpu River waterfront in Hongkou District.

With an annual salary of up to 1.5 million yuan (US$214,350), the deputy general manager will assist the general manager with urban renewal planning, project development and management over a three-year period. 

The successful candidate should drive regional development as well as the shipping and finance sectors, according to an online global recruitment notice.

Details and an application form are available on Hongkou’s website (shhk.gov.cn). Applications must be submitted within 30 days.

It is the first time a state-owned enterprise in Hongkou has sought candidates from around the world. The practice aims to develop the North Bund region with a global vision, according to the Hongkou government.

"We are offering the competitive payment and best career platform as well as sincerity to invite a business partner to develop together with the North Bund," said Huan Xiang, deputy Party secretary of the Hongkou State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

Candidates must be Chinese and middle or senior managers in other companies. Other requirements include at least eight years of management experiences for large-scale projects and candidates should be acquainted with policies and laws in the planning and construction sectors.

The post requires a bachelor's degree or above in urban planning or civil engineering, a senior professional qualification. Candidates should be under 48 but that can be relaxed for outstanding talent. 

"Chinese professionals working overseas are welcome to return home to contribute their wisdom to the North Bund," Huan said.

The North Bund Group was established in 2017 to take charge of the redevelopment projects in the riverside region.

Other senior posts with the group will be advertised later, said Zhang Shun, deputy Party secretary of the group.

"Many current officials, who were promoted or appointed by the government, are familiar with the policies or government affairs, but lack the international vision and broad interpersonal network," Zhang said.

Along with the Lujiazui financial hub on the east bank of the river across from the Bund, the North Bund forms downtown Shanghai’s “golden triangle.” Riverside regions have already been transformed with greenery and paths.

The new-look North Bund will include a central business district with office buildings and commercial facilities. The riverside region, covering about 4 square kilometers, will be on a par with the Lingang Special Area and the Pudong New Area in the east.

It will become a "new engine" for Shanghai's future development with the tallest building in Puxi as well as well-preserved history and culture, according to the district government.

The North Bund is already home to more than 1,600 financial companies with 5 trillion yuan of assets under management, including a ninth of China’s mutual funds and more than 4,700 shipping-related companies, including Cosco Shipping, Shanghai International Port Group, the China Shipowners’ Association and Costa Cruises.