CEO

Dananda Talent; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment technology firm is seeking a strategic leader to drive its vision and growth. The role requires overseeing product innovation and market execution in the HR tech sector. Candidates should have extensive leadership experience in SaaS and a strong grasp of recruitment technologies. This position involves collaborative partnerships and operational excellence, contributing to organizational culture and performance. Competitive compensation and equity opportunities are included.

Benefits

Competitive executive compensation package

Performance-based incentives

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong grasp of recruitment technology, applicant tracking systems, sourcing platforms, or talent analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the strategic roadmap for the Recruitment Tech business.
• Drive commercial strategy across sales, marketing, and partnerships.
• Oversee financial performance, budgeting, operational KPIs, and continuous improvement efforts.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

MBA or relevant advanced degree

Technical certifications in SaaS, cloud technologies, or AI/ML

Job description

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