The 10 Best Jobs in the UK for 2020 Unveiled

Pay, job satisfaction and the number of job openings on offer are the key factors Glassdoor considers when producing their annual list of Britain’s best jobs. Looking for a new post in 2020? To help you find one you’ll love, we take a look at the careers that made this year’s top ten.

Enterprise architects identify the right technology systems architecture for a company’s business strategy. Opt for this career and you’ll be meeting regularly with business managers and technical developers, as well as keeping up with the latest technological trends.

To succeed as an enterprise architect you’ll need to be assertive, business savvy and able to think strategically. You’ll also need experience in a variety of areas including network administration, cloud computing, project management and systems administration.

Become a product manager and you’ll be responsible for developing and managing a company’s services or goods. By overseeing every stage of the production process and providing access to the latest technology, you’ll ensure that each product is made with efficiency and speed. 

If this sounds like your perfect post, you’ll need to be a top-notch communicator, as you’ll be working with a wide range of colleagues from senior managers to developers. You’ll also require plenty of creativity in order to invent new features and products based on customer feedback.

This senior role involves making sure that companies run as efficiently as possible so that they meet their clients’ needs. Operations managers are responsible for monitoring production and provision systems, overseeing inventories, managing quality assurance programmes and researching new technology.

Interested? You’ll need to be a confident but tactful communicator, as your job will involve liaising with other team members, tracking their performance, training new staff,  and presenting data to stakeholders. You’ll also need experience of using business software and writing reports.

If you’re organized and business-minded with excellent communication skills, you might enjoy this stimulating career, which focuses on improving and growing businesses. Business development managers carry out a wide range of tasks including identifying new markets, sourcing new products, setting goals and generating leads. They’re also responsible for building relationships with customers and suppliers.

This high-pressure role requires an organised project manager, who is self-motivated and able to think strategically. IT skills and the ability to network confidently are essential, and you’ll also need experience of forecasting and analysing sales. While many business development managers are graduates, it’s perfectly possible to access this career via entry-level sales/marketing roles or an apprenticeship.

DevOps engineers build, maintain and test the infrastructure and tools that speed up the process of releasing software. They also ensure that systems are secure against cyber attacks, developing software fixes and updates.

This is a career that requires teamwork, problems solving skills, an eye for detail and the ability to juggle a number of projects. You’ll also need to brush up on your coding skills and your IT operations know-how. To access the best jobs, you’ll generally need a 2:1 degree in a STEM subject, although some employers ask for a master’s degree as well.

If you become a data scientist, you’ll be responsible for collating and interpreting the enormous amounts of data that businesses collect. You’ll then transform the data into useful information and present your findings.

The ability to use algorithms, statistical techniques and machine learning tools such as SQL, SAS and Hadoop are at the heart of this job. You’ll also need to be an analytical thinker and an excellent communicator, as you’ll need to collaborate with others to find solutions.

This high-level job involves developing people-friendly HR agendas that also help leaders to implement their business goals. It’s a role that requires plenty of relevant professional experience, as you’ll be  working closely with the senior leaders of businesses and organisations.

To succeed as an HR business partner, you’ll need to excel at building relationships, coaching, using data and metrics and prioritizing tasks. You’ll also need to be a great listener and communicator, in order to understand each business and any issues it’s facing.

Employed by the public sector and private companies, finance managers give financial advice that enables their clients to make sound business decisions. They help with long-term and short-term financial planning, budgeting, business plan formulation and regulatory compliance.

To land a finance management role, you’ll need excellent analytical skills and a solid grasp of financial systems and procedures. You’ll also need to be a good communicator in order to liaise with solicitors, bankers, auditors and the Inland Revenue.

Delivery managers use Agile project management techniques and tools to help businesses complete products and improve inefficient processes. They’re experts at hiring project teams, keeping track of schedules and creating positive work cultures that inspire success.

You’ll need a range of skills to take on this challenging role, including data analysis skills and the ability to supervise projects using Agile and Lean techniques. You’ll also need strong interpersonal skills to motivate your teams, maintain stakeholder relationships and provide coaching.

Working across a range of industries, contract managers oversee projects that involve a partnership between businesses or organisations. Their role covers a variety of tasks such as negotiating, analysing and preparing contracts, coordinating deadlines and approving budgets. They also present information to stakeholders and solve any problems that arise. 

Confidence, communication skills and the ability to negotiate are essential for this job, as is an eye for detail and an in-depth knowledge of contractual language. You’ll generally need a degree in business or a related subject too, although a master’s degree could impress recruiters and open up more opportunities. Experience in a management role is vital too.

Are you a job seeker looking for a new career? If Glassdoor’s top ten has tempted you to explore the possibilities, take a look at our great range of career-related courses today!