Description
You will operate as the single point of accountability for the executive search channel, shaping how Kyndryl engages with external partners, manages multi-million-dollar search investments, and delivers consistent hiring outcomes across regions. Your work will balance strategy development with operational execution, using data, structured governance, and stakeholder alignment to drive measurable improvements in hiring performance.
In this role, you will collaborate closely with executive stakeholders, Talent Acquisition leadership, Procurement, Legal, and external partners to build a disciplined, scalable, and insight-driven search model that supports critical leadership hiring.
What you will do
Design and lead vendor strategy
1. Define and manage the global strategy for the preferred executive search firm ecosystem, including firm selection, segmentation, and deployment
2. Establish a clear and scalable vendor operating model that supports priority talent pipelines and reduces fragmentation
3. Build long-term partnerships with key search firms aligned to business-critical hiring needs
Govern agency-led search execution
4. Oversee active executive searches to ensure delivery of high-quality, business-aligned candidate slates
5. Monitor search progression, pacing, and outcomes, identifying risks and defining clear intervention actions
6. Set expectations with agencies on search briefs, market positioning, and candidate quality standards
7. Drive corrective actions including recalibration, escalation, or vendor replacement when performance gaps occur
Own governance, compliance, and commercial management
8. Manage end-to-end commercial governance including vendor approvals, engagement models, and adherence to preferred terms
9. Oversee SOWs, contracts, purchase orders, and invoicing in partnership with Procurement and Finance
10. Ensure all searches are executed through approved vendors within compliant frameworks
11. Optimize search spend, balancing cost management with quality hiring outcomes
Drive performance management and analytics
12. Define and implement SLAs, KPIs, and performance standards for all executive search partners
13. Build and maintain dashboards to track search progress, cycle time, candidate quality, and hiring outcomes
14. Analyze vendor performance and ROI to inform vendor selection and ongoing optimization
15. Translate data into actionable insights that improve search strategy and execution
Lead change management and transformation
16. Implement standardized global governance processes across executive search activities
17. Drive adoption of new vendor models and operating practices across regions and business units
18. Engage stakeholders through structured communication and clear expectations on ways of working
Optimize agency workflows and systems enablement
19. Design and continuously improve end-to-end executive search agency workflows across intake, briefing, search execution, and offer stages
20. Ensure consistent use of Workday ATS and Encore CRM for pipeline tracking, reporting accuracy, and visibility
21. Define system usage standards for internal stakeholders and external agencies
22. Partner with HR Technology and Operations to enhance automation, reporting, and vendor tracking capabilities
23. Identify and remove process inefficiencies to improve agency cycle time, candidate experience, and hiring leader satisfaction
24. Establish a feedback loop using system data and stakeholder input to continuously refine workflows and vendor engagement models
Who You Are
25. Required skills and experience
Extensive experience in executive search operations, vendor management, or executive recruitment program leadership
Demonstrated experience managing complex global programs with multiple stakeholders and regions
Proven track record of driving delivery performance accountability
Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, contracts, and vendor spend
Experience defining and managing governance frameworks including SLAs, KPIs, and compliance standards
Advanced analytical capability with experience building dashboards and translating recruiting data into actionable insights
Experience working with ATS and CRM systems to manage pipelines and reporting
Ability to influence senior stakeholders through structured recommendations, data insights, and clear decision frameworks
Preferred skills and experience
Experience designing or transforming executive search vendor models at a global or enterprise level
Background partnering with Procurement and Legal on vendor frameworks and contract negotiations
Experience driving change management initiatives across distributed or global teams
Familiarity with executive hiring across multiple industries or geographies
Experience improving recruitment workflows through automation or process optimization
Being YouThe “Kyn” in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we’re excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging — being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team — is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That’s The Kyndryl Way.
What You Can ExpectYour career with us isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure with purpose. We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best.
From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won’t just contribute—you’ll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth.
We’re here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you’ll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You’ll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you’ll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success.
We want you to thrive here—and we’re committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what’s next.