Head of Recruitment

Company : Confidential (Leading global technology & digital transformation services firm)

Location : Bangalore, India (Hybrid work model)

Experience : 15+ years in talent acquisition (with at least 5 years in a leadership role)

Scope : Lead global and India talent acquisition efforts

Team & Budget : Manage a large recruiting team and oversee a hiring budget of approximately ₹1 Crore

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Talent Acquisition leader to head our company’s recruiting function on a global scale. In this strategic yet hands-on role , you will design and drive the overall talent acquisition strategy to support our fast-growing business, while ensuring effective execution of hiring goals. You will spearhead recruitment across India and international locations , attracting top talent in key domains such as AI / ML, product engineering, and digital transformation . The ideal candidate is both a visionary strategist and a results-driven executor , capable of building strong hiring processes, leading high-performing teams, and delivering on ambitious talent needs. This role is based in Bangalore with a hybrid work arrangement, and will involve close collaboration with senior leadership to shape the workforce of the future .

Key Responsibilities (KRAs)

Talent Acquisition Strategy : Develop and implement a comprehensive global talent acquisition strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans . This includes workforce planning in partnership with business leaders to anticipate hiring needs and ensuring talent pipelines for current and future skill demands.

Leadership & Team Management : Lead, mentor, and motivate a large team of recruiters and TA professionals across India and other geographies . Set clear performance KPIs, provide coaching and development, and foster a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

End-to-End Recruitment Operations : Oversee the entire recruitment life cycle – from talent sourcing, employer branding, and interviewing, through offer negotiation and onboarding – ensuring a smooth and positive candidate experience globally . Drive operational excellence to meet closure targets for all open positions across business units and regions.

Strategic Sourcing & Talent Pipelines : Design innovative sourcing strategies to attract top talent in niche and high-demand areas (e.g., AI / ML, data science, product engineering, digital transformation). Leverage multi-channel recruitment approaches – including social media, networking, referral programs, campus hiring, and partnerships – to build robust talent pipelines .

Employer Branding & EVP : Champion the company’s Employer Value Proposition (EVP) and lead employer branding initiatives. Work closely with Marketing / HR to enhance our presence on job platforms, social media, and industry events, positioning the company as an employer of choice in the tech and digital domain .

Stakeholder Management : Partner closely with C-level executives and department heads (Engineering, Data / AI, Product, etc.) to understand talent needs and advise on hiring strategies. Act as a trusted advisor on recruitment best practices, market talent trends, and competitive hiring insights, ensuring alignment of TA efforts with the broader business strategy .

Process Improvement & Systems : Define and continuously improve the talent acquisition processes , frameworks, and tools. Implement best-in-class recruitment technologies (ATS, CRM, AI-based tools) and assessment methodologies to increase efficiency and quality of hire. Use data and analytics to drive decision-making, track hiring metrics (time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, quality-of-hire, diversity metrics), and identify areas for improvement .

Budget & Vendor Management : Manage the talent acquisition budget (~₹1 Crore) and optimize spending for maximum ROI . Oversee relationships with external recruitment partners and vendors (agencies, RPO providers, job boards); negotiate contracts and ensure vendors deliver value and support hiring targets.

Compliance & Best Practices : Ensure that all recruitment activities comply with relevant local and international employment laws and regulations , as well as internal policies . Uphold best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the hiring process, promoting fair and unbiased hiring practices.

Global Coordination : Coordinate recruitment efforts across multiple regions (India, APAC, EMEA, Americas), ensuring a consistent talent acquisition strategy while adapting to local talent landscapes. Collaborate with global HR and Talent teams to integrate global initiatives and share best practices across regions.

Reporting & Talent Analytics : Prepare and present regular reports to senior management on recruiting progress, challenges, and achievements. Provide insights on market trends and talent availability, and refine strategies based on data trends and feedback.

Continuous Improvement : Stay abreast of latest trends in talent acquisition and innovative hiring techniques . Continuously experiment with new approaches (e.g., employer branding campaigns, referral incentives, technology assessments) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of hiring. Lead or contribute to special projects such as employer awards submissions, career site enhancements, or recruitment marketing campaigns as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

Experience : 15+ years of progressive experience in talent acquisition or recruitment, including 5+ years in a leadership role managing teams and strategy . Experience in fast-paced, high-growth or transformational environments is highly desirable .

Global Exposure : Proven expertise in managing global recruitment efforts , with familiarity in hiring across India and other international markets (such as North America, Europe, and APAC) . Understanding of multicultural recruitment practices and ability to work across time zones is important.

Domain Knowledge : Strong background in hiring for technology and digital roles – e.g., software engineering, AI / ML, data analytics, cloud, product development, digital transformation – at scale . Ability to quickly grasp skill requirements in emerging tech domains and adapt sourcing strategies accordingly.

Leadership & Communication : Excellent leadership skills with experience building and leading large teams. Able to inspire and develop talent, and influence senior stakeholders effectively . Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the credibility to engage with C-suite and represent the company externally.

Strategic & Analytical Mindset : Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically. Proficiency in using data and metrics to drive recruitment strategies and decision making . Experience with recruitment analytics, reporting dashboards, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Technical Proficiency : Familiarity with modern recruiting systems and tools (Applicant Tracking Systems, CRM, sourcing platforms, LinkedIn Recruiter, etc.). Awareness of AI-driven recruitment tools and social media recruiting techniques. Experience implementing new recruitment technologies or process automation is a plus.

Budget Management : Experience managing recruitment budgets or resource plans, with a track record of optimizing cost-per-hire and efficiently allocating resources.

Education : Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field (Master’s / MBA preferred). Relevant certifications (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, or specialized talent acquisition certifications) are an advantage.

Additional Qualities : High integrity, results-oriented, and adaptable. Innovative mindset with a willingness to challenge the status quo in talent acquisition. Strong understanding of employment law and compliance in multiple jurisdictions. A passion for employer branding and candidate experience excellence.