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Dananda Talent

CEO – Recruitment Technology

Dananda Talent

  • R Undisclosed
  • Permanent Intermediate position
  • Sandton
  • Posted 12 Jan 2026 by Dananda Talent
  • Expires in 34 days
  • Job 2630477 - Ref JHB000715

About the position

As CEO, Recruitment Tech, you will be the key executive responsible for running and growing this division. Reporting directly to the CEO of Dananda, you'll lead all aspects of the business—from vision to execution—with the autonomy of a founder and the backing of an established parent company. This role combines entrepreneurial leadership with strategic alignment to drive innovation in the recruitment technology space.
Responsibilities:
Business Strategy & Leadership

  • Own and execute the strategic roadmap for the Recruitment Tech business in close alignment with Dananda's broader objectives
  • Monitor market trends in HR tech, AI, and hiring platforms to guide long-term vision and product positioning
  • Define and communicate the division's vision, mission, and strategic priorities
  • Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, partnerships, and expansion strategies
  • Lead strategic planning processes and ensure effective execution across all functions
  • Represent the business externally with investors, partners, media, and industry stakeholders

 
Product & Technology Oversight

  • Collaborate with product and engineering teams to build and scale tech solutions including applicant tracking systems, talent intelligence platforms, and automation tools
  • Drive product innovation by translating market needs and customer insights into compelling product roadmaps
  • Ensure product-market fit through continuous customer feedback and data-driven iteration
  • Oversee technology infrastructure, security, and scalability to support business growth
  • Champion user experience and product quality across all offerings
  • Stay ahead of emerging technologies including AI, machine learning, and automation in recruitment

 
Revenue & Go-to-Market Execution

  • Drive commercial strategy across sales, marketing, and partnerships to grow customer base and revenue
  • Develop and manage pricing, distribution, and customer success strategies
  • Build and optimize sales processes, channels, and conversion funnels
  • Lead customer acquisition, retention, and expansion initiatives
  • Establish strategic partnerships with industry players, technology providers, and recruitment organizations
  • Monitor competitive landscape and ensure differentiated market positioning

 
Team Building & Culture

  • Recruit, lead, and mentor a high-performing, cross-functional team across product, engineering, sales, marketing, and operations
  • Foster a collaborative and innovation-driven work culture aligned with Dananda's values of integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration, and respect
  • Develop talent pipelines and succession planning for critical roles
  • Establish performance management frameworks and drive accountability across the organization
  • Create an environment that attracts and retains top-tier technology and commercial talent
  • Champion diversity, inclusion, and ethical practices throughout the organization

 
Operational Ownership

  • Oversee financial performance, budgeting, operational KPIs, and continuous improvement efforts
  • Ensure the division meets or exceeds growth, profitability, and performance goals
  • Manage P&L responsibility with full accountability for revenue, costs, and margins
  • Implement operational excellence frameworks and optimize resource allocation
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators across all business functions
  • Drive data-informed decision-making and performance management disciplines
  • Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements

 
Executive Collaboration

  • Work closely with Dananda's CEO to align on priorities, share learnings, and scale effectively
  • Collaborate with Dananda's broader leadership team including Head of Business Operations and other division leaders
  • Contribute to group-wide strategic initiatives and knowledge sharing
  • Leverage Dananda's infrastructure, brand, and market presence to accelerate growth
  • Report regularly on business performance, challenges, and opportunities to the parent company


Candidate requirements
Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field required
  • MBA or relevant advanced degree highly advantageous
  • Technical certifications in SaaS, cloud technologies, or AI/ML beneficial

 
Experience:

  • Proven experience in a CEO, VP, or Director-level role within a SaaS, HR tech, or recruitment platform company
  • Minimum 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in technology-driven businesses
  • Demonstrated success in building and scaling a business unit, ideally from early stage through growth
  • Strong grasp of recruitment technology, applicant tracking systems, sourcing platforms, or talent analytics tools
  • Experience managing P&L with full accountability for business performance
  • Track record of leading cross-functional teams and operating with both autonomy and strategic alignment within a larger organization
  • Proven ability to raise capital, manage investor relations, or operate within a portfolio structure (advantageous)

 
Technical & Industry Knowledge:

  • Deep understanding of the HR technology landscape and recruitment industry dynamics
  • Knowledge of AI, machine learning, and automation applications in talent acquisition
  • Familiarity with SaaS business models, metrics, and growth strategies
  • Understanding of applicant tracking systems, recruitment CRM, and talent intelligence platforms
  • Awareness of data privacy, security, and compliance requirements in HR tech

 
Additional Requirements / Personal Attributes
Leadership Competencies:

  • Visionary and strategic thinking
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with execution discipline
  • Change leadership and innovation management
  • Team building and talent development
  • Decision-making under uncertainty
  • Resilience and adaptability in fast-paced environments


Business Competencies:

  • Product-driven with a commercial mindset—able to translate customer needs into scalable technology solutions
  • Clear communicator, data-informed, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
  • Financial acumen and P&L management
  • Go-to-market strategy and revenue generation
  • Customer-centric approach to business building
  • Partnership development and stakeholder management


Technical Competencies:

  • Product management and technology roadmap development
  • Understanding of software development lifecycles and agile methodologies
  • Data analytics and performance measurement
  • Market analysis and competitive intelligence
  • Pricing strategy and revenue modeling


Personal Attributes:

  • High integrity and ethical standards aligned with Dananda's values
  • Passionate about technology's potential to transform recruitment
  • Collaborative leadership style with ability to work autonomously
  • Results-oriented with a focus on sustainable growth
  • Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration
  • Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and building equitable technology solutions

 
Success Metrics
First 90 Days:

  • Comprehensive business assessment and strategic plan development
  • Key team members identified and recruitment initiated
  • Product roadmap refinement and prioritization
  • Go-to-market strategy optimization
  • Strong working relationship established with Dananda CEO and leadership team


First Year:

  • Achievement of revenue and growth targets
  • Successful product launches or enhancements
  • Team built out across critical functions
  • Customer acquisition and retention goals met
  • Operational frameworks and KPIs established
  • Positive unit economics and path to profitability demonstrated


Ongoing:

  • Consistent revenue growth and market share expansion
  • Product innovation and competitive differentiation
  • High customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Scores
  • Team engagement and talent retention
  • Operational efficiency and margin improvement
  • Strategic alignment with Dananda's broader objectives

 
Additional Requirements / Personal Attributes
Leadership Opportunity:

  • Lead a fast-growing division with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup and the strategic support of Dananda
  • Full autonomy to shape strategy, build the team, and drive execution
  • Direct reporting line to Dananda's CEO with board-level exposure

 
Market Position:

  • Be at the forefront of reshaping the hiring industry with innovative technology
  • Access to Dananda's established market presence, brand reputation, and customer relationships
  • Opportunity to leverage AI and automation to solve real recruitment challenges

 
Growth & Impact:

  • Scale a business from growth stage to market leadership
  • Make a meaningful impact on how organizations find and hire talent
  • Build and shape organizational culture from the ground up

 
Resources & Support:

  • Backing of the Regenesys Group and Dananda's infrastructure
  • Access to capital, operational support, and strategic guidance
  • Collaborative ecosystem within a portfolio of innovative ventures

 
Compensation & Benefits:

  • Competitive executive compensation package
  • Performance-based incentives aligned with business growth
  • Equity participation opportunities (structure to be discussed)
  • Comprehensive benefits package

Desired Skills:

  • Experience managing P&L
  • Commercial mindset
  • Communication

Dananda Talent

About the agency

Who We Are Dananda Talent provides an agile talent management solution to our professionally qualified students at the Regenesys Business School, for new graduates, senior managers and the executive market. The purpose behind Dananda Talent – formed in 2007 – is to build a life-long relationship with our students as we pursue our common purpose of making our world a better place through leadership development Danada has grown into a respected, independent recruitment provider, advising international and local companies, offering exceptional insights and services across multiple markets and industries. Its success is based on understanding trends, using strong networks, and working with a database of over 190 000 alumni. Dananda Talent is a holistic human capital and strategic business partner focused on supporting our clients and candidates to achieve their professional, personal and financial aspirations. We do this by connecting the right people to the right opportunity, where together they can co create, collaborate and connect for future success. Our team of talent consultants is able to leverage their cumulative capabilities and experience to produce a unique value proposition designed to meet the needs of our Clients through customised, agile sourcing solutions, working with blue chip cli-ents and well respected global industry leaders. What we do • Senior Management and Executive Recruitment • Permanent Recruitment • Temporary Employment Services (TES) • Industry and Talent Mapping • Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) • Response Handling Process Services • Contract Recruitment The Dananda approach • We adopt a customized, agile and adaptable approach to each and every recruitment assignment we undertake. Each assignment is expertly managed individually, so that we can deliver candidates who match specific requirements. • We use the best search methodologies to find the best candidates within a significantly shorter timeline. We have a large candidate database and also proactively approach passive candidates for each role, giving clients the best of both our Search and Contingent Recruitment capabilities. • We continuously build active relationships with sought-after and skilled individuals to ensure that we are able to access the best talent quickly. We keep track of these individuals as they grow and progress through their career. • We constantly build our networks, tapping into new developments and trends in the market and advise you about what’s happening in your industry. What makes us different Dananda strives to stay ahead of the market in areas where our clients have great talent needs especially in scarce skills. By operating locally, in Africa and internationally, Dananda has access to the latest trends which enables both us and our clients to stay ahead of the curve. Our team of talented Sourcing and Recruitment Specialists who adopt international world class Boolean sourcing techniques, ensures that no stone remains unturned in finding the best candidate. • We enjoy what we do • We are passionate about people development • We have fun while developing meaningful connections with people who entrust us with their future • We unlock potential into execution when our build and contribute to the success of the organisations and communities we place them in.

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