Permanent hiring success for senior AI leadership

As demand for senior AI talent continues to grow globally, this established organisation needed to hire a highly experienced AI Lead for a newly created role. The position required an individual equivalent to Director-level seniority (DEM), with over 10 years of experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence senior business stakeholders. Additionally, the ideal candidate needed proven expertise in technical delivery as well as people and vendor management.

However, traditional job advertisements were only attracting average-quality candidates who fell short of meeting the strategic needs of this critical role. This prompted the company to seek a more targeted recruitment approach to secure top-tier talent.

To address these challenges, we implemented a tailored recruitment strategy designed to identify and attract high-calibre AI professionals:

1. Conducted in-depth discussions with HR and multiple interviewers to align on expectations for the role, including technical expertise, leadership qualities, and cultural fit.
2. Directly headhunted senior AI talent from our extensive network in Hong Kong and overseas markets, targeting individuals with relevant experience in similar industries.
3. Delivered a strong shortlist of qualified candidates within two weeks of commencing the search process.
4. Maintained close communication with candidates throughout the process to ensure alignment on role expectations, salary practices, and career aspirations.
5. Presented three exceptional finalists for consideration, leading to one successful hire after a smooth 2.5-month recruitment process.