Return on Talent: India Country Head Executive Search Case Study

>The Background 

Market Intelligence, Intelligently Applied 

A global labor market insights company—with headquarters in Moscow (ID) and Boston (MA) and offices in the United Kingdom, Europe, and India—works with partners across six continents. The company drives economic prosperity by providing insights that help build and develop people, institutions, companies, and communities. Their India operations are based in Chennai. 

The parent company is a leading global investment firm offering alternative asset management, capital markets, and insurance solutions. It generates attractive returns through a patient, disciplined investment approach. The firm employs exceptional talent, supports portfolio company growth, and sponsors investment funds across private equity, credit, and real assets while maintaining strategic hedge fund partnerships. As a member of the S&P 500, the firm maintains a strong market presence. 

>The Challenge 

Heading in a New Direction 

We were retained to find an India Country Head amid rapid headcount expansion, business growth, and technological advancement. The client needed a seasoned leader to guide their India operations forward. This role demanded specific qualifications: extensive analytics experience, labor data expertise, proven ability managing technology operations at scale, and—critically—a diverse candidate with experience in the Global Capability Center ecosystem and the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors. 

>The Solution 

Mapping the Talent-scape 

We began by mapping BFSI organizations and leaders with strong data analytics backgrounds. We prioritized candidates with Chennai connections, making relocation more feasible. With diversity as a non-negotiable requirement, we maintained a 90:10 pro-diversity ratio in our search. After identifying ten promising candidates, we applied our three-pronged assessment approach evaluating leadership ability, strategic thinking, and technological expertise. 

Our comprehensive solution included detailed insights on each candidate, our professional observations, relevant case studies, and analysis of the unique value each would bring. This thorough approach enabled the client to confidently select the top candidates for further consideration. 

>The Result 

The Perfect Matchmaking 

We recommended six exceptional candidates showing strong alignment with both the role requirements and location. The client conducted rigorous assessments, inviting the top three finalists to Chennai for comprehensive day-long evaluations including 360-degree feedback from potential supervisors, peers, and team members. A thorough debriefing in our presence helped the client make their final decision. 

The unanimous choice—which aligned perfectly with our recommendation—was a female candidate who fulfilled the diversity requirement! Through focused candidate and client engagement, we successfully filled this critical position within the established timeline.