Openlink Endur: Why it’s Still a Safe Bet for Your Career

Endur business analysts, project managers, and developers are in high demand. Major initiatives like Shell’s switch from Aligne to Endur, along with increased market volatility, have driven this surge. Despite Endur’s eyewatering cost, sales continue, as it allows new entrants to quickly establish themselves across multiple commodity markets. And, once a business adopts Endur, it must continually upgrade and enhance the platform, creating an ongoing need for skilled professionals.

While challenges with Endur remain, including slow batch processing and growing competition from newer, cloud-based platforms, Endur remains a safe bet. Its significant installed base and the high cost and complexity of replacement make it a sticky solution. 

“For some, Endur is a significant sunk investment that makes any idea of replacement highly unpalatable. This means that they then need to figure out ways to continue to leverage that investment and make it work for them even as trading speeds up and their business evolves and changes … there’s obviously a huge installed base that’s going to take years – perhaps decades –  to sort itself out in terms of what it wants to do post-Endur.”

– Dr Gary M. Vasey, Managing Partner, Commodity Technology Advisory

Replacing Endur is risky and, if done incorrectly, often seen as a “career-limiting move,” says Dr Vasey. As a result, companies prioritise maintaining Endur while modernising it with cloud interfaces and additional features—creating a steady stream of work and demand for Endur experts well into the future.

As Dr Vasey aptly puts it, 

“It’s going to be a great job market for the next twenty years or more, probably that’s how long it’s going to take people to replace their investment if they choose to.”

The result? If you have hands-on Endur experience, you’re in demand. Endur professionals now command up to 20% higher salaries than those with experience in other ETRMs, such as Allegro or TriplePoint. Here’s how to make the most of these opportunities:

Think Beyond Salary

I recently spoke with an Endur professional who could have secured a 30% salary increase by moving companies—but chose to stay. There are a few key reasons for this.

Flexibility is a major factor, as this professional typically visits the office a few times a month, while many companies are now enforcing four-day in-office mandates. More importantly, this professional values the familiarity of their team, along with the stability and long-term vision offered by their current employer.

The commodities market is cyclical, and experienced professionals understand that new projects and entrants can disappear as quickly as they emerge. Additionally, one of the biggest risks to talent in the Endur space is offshoring, which is becoming a growing trend. For example, earlier this year, BP announced a 5% reduction in its global workforce, affecting around 1,100 IT professionals, while looking to hire in Hungary, Malaysia, and India. Since then, we’ve spoken with several Endur specialists in London and Houston who are uncertain about their futures within the business. 

At the end of the day, career stability is something you just can’t put a price on. But staying in one place too long can hold you back by limiting your exposure to different ways of working and reducing the variety of skills you gain. It’s not about avoiding a move altogether, but making sure you’ve considered the following about the company you’re considering moving to:

• What’s their long-term strategy?
• Who’s sponsoring the Endur programme?
• How much investment have they committed?
• Are they relying on contractors or a consultancy?

Understanding these factors will help you avoid joining a project that could fizzle out when market conditions change.

Expand Your Skill Set

If you’re looking to break into Endur from another ETRM or tech background, there are ways to position yourself effectively. Many of the skills from platforms like Allegro or TriplePoint are transferable, and a strong understanding of the commodities trade lifecycle can set you up for success. We’ve placed developers and business analysts without prior Endur experience who, after training, have gone on to thrive in long-term roles.

Investing in your own upskilling can make you a stronger candidate. If your current employer isn’t offering opportunities to expand your expertise, it may be time to look elsewhere.

Leverage the Right Connections

Endur professionals are in a unique position—your skills are highly sought after, and companies are actively competing for top talent. This means you don’t need to jump at the first opportunity that comes your way. Instead, having the right market insights and knowing when to move is key.

At Cititec Talent, we’ve spent over 20 years building relationships in the Endur space. We’re always in touch with hiring managers and industry leaders, so we know when the best opportunities are coming up—even before they’re advertised.

If you’d like to explore your options or simply stay updated on the latest Endur market trends, get in touch. Whether you’re actively looking or just keeping an eye on what’s out there, we’re here to help.

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