Role Overview

The Head of Talent Acquisition - India will lead and scale end- to- end talent acquisition for one of the world's leading architecture and design firms, supporting multiple studios across India. This role is responsible for building a best- in- class hiring infrastructure that attracts exceptional design, technical, and leadership talent, while reinforcing the firm's culture, values, and design excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning

- Develop and execute a national talent acquisition strategy aligned with business growth, studio expansion, and global workforce plans

- Partner with Managing Directors, Studio Leaders, and Practice Leaders to forecast hiring needs across design, technical, leadership, and support roles

- Translate business plans into scalable hiring roadmaps for India

End- to- End Recruitment Leadership

- Own full- cycle recruitment for India across architecture, interiors, workplace strategy, urban design, sustainability, digital design, and other functions

- Ensure consistent, high- quality hiring practices while allowing studio- level flexibility

- Drive senior leadership hiring including Design Directors, Studio Leaders, and Business Leaders

Employer Branding & Market Positioning

- Strengthen the firm's employer brand in India as a destination for top design talent

- Lead campus engagement with leading architecture and design schools

- Represent the firm at industry forums, design events, and talent platforms

- Partner with marketing and global TA teams to align brand messaging

Stakeholder & Studio Partnership

- Act as a trusted advisor to India leadership on talent trends, compensation benchmarks, and competitor intelligence

- Balance global TA frameworks with local market realities

- Influence hiring decisions while maintaining design quality and cultural fit

Process Excellence & Governance

- Implement and optimize recruitment processes, ATS usage, and hiring metrics

- Ensure compliance with local labor laws and global hiring standards

- Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in hiring practices

Team Leadership

- Lead, mentor, and develop the India talent acquisition team

- Set performance goals, hiring SLAs, and capability development plans

- Build a consultative, high- credibility TA function

Data & Insights

- Track and report on hiring metrics: time- to- hire, quality of hire, diversity metrics, and cost efficiency

- Use market intelligence to inform leadership decisions

Key Stakeholders

India Managing Directors & Studio Directors

Global & APAC Talent Leadership

HR Business Partners

Design & Practice Leaders

External search partners and academic institutions

Qualifications& Requirements

- 12- 15 years of progressive experience in talent acquisition, preferably within:

Architecture, design, engineering, or professional services firms, Global consulting, creative, or knowledge- based organizations

- Proven experience hiring senior design and leadership roles

- Strong understanding of the Indian architecture & design talent ecosystem

- Experience working within matrixed global organizations

- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders

- Knpwledge of employer branding or talent marketing

Key Competencies

Strategic thinking and business acumen

Credibility with senior design professionals

Strong judgment and cultural sensitivity

Data- driven decision making

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills