Bolstering US-based SeekOut’s India Foothold with Country Head Appointment in 30 Days

Introduction

In the evolving workforce landscape, companies often depend on fragmented tools with limited talent insights. SeekOut is at the forefront of this space as a data-rich AI talent search engine that empowers companies with untapped talent reservoirs, diversity-focused strategies, and data-driven recruitment solutions. Since its inception in 2017, this B2B SaaS HRTech platform has secured $189 million in funding and boasts influential investors like Tiger Global Management, Madrona Venture Group, Mayfield, and Founders Circle Capital. 

Problem Statement

Headquartered in Bellevue, US, SeekOut aimed to scale its presence in India. Initially operating in India through a vendor model and offshore development, they focused on establishing the SeekOut India Development Center (SIDC). To achieve this, they sought a Senior Director of Engineering capable of driving their strategy for globally shared product and service development by leveraging top talent worldwide.

The client mandated a hands-on, seasoned technical leader with the expertise to launch and scale a development center. This role required not only engineering leadership but also the capability to establish and manage other critical functions such as legal, HR, infrastructure, and cross-functional teams.

Execution & Solution 

Introduced through a referral from Mindtickle, we began by sharing the initial set of candidates, a mix from the US and India, all from large enterprises in similar domains.

While all candidates met the client's expectations, they were particularly interested in Lalit Patel, who brought nearly 25 years of industry experience. His background as a founding member of multiple successful startups gave him a unique edge, fitting the client's need for a leader who could hands-on build their India development center.

During his previous tenure at Instawork, Lalit had built a team of 80+ engineers and demonstrated his ability to drive 0-1x growth, which was crucial for SeekOut's mandate. Through our Behavioral Metrics Model, we identified Lalit as a blend of Creator and Nurturer, making him ideal for SeekOut's envisioned roadmap.

Recognizing the importance of the role and Lalit's potential, we advised the client on the role and salary evaluation. Lalit Patel joined SeekOut as the Country Head to drive their vision forward. We successfully closed the mandate within 30 days.

Looking Forward

As the Country Head of SeekOut, Lalit Patel has successfully established the new office space in Bangalore, hired a team of engineers, and onboarded a HR Director and Talent Acquisition Specialist. Additionally, he has built a fully functional legal and infrastructure framework. Looking forward, Lalit is set to drive innovative projects, foster a collaborative work environment, and contribute to SeekOut's strategic goals, ensuring the company’s continued growth and success in the Indian market.

For more information, please reach out to the Marketing Team.