Principal Recruitment Specialist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous leave

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Recruitment Specialist in Durban to lead executive and specialized recruitment projects. You will guide clients and the internal team, mapping talent markets, sourcing top candidates and ensuring a superior candidate experience.

You will mentor junior consultants, apply advanced sourcing techniques, and contribute to strategic talent discussions with clients. This role blends in-office collaboration with remote work to maintain a high-performance recruitment

Qualifications

• 8+ years in recruitment, with focus on executive search or specialized recruitment.
• Strong track record placing senior candidates in challenging roles.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex recruitment projects for executive and specialized roles.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients and stakeholders.
• Conduct market mapping and competitor analysis to identify talent pools.
• Source, screen and interview candidates to maintain a high-quality pipeline.
• Provide expert consultation on talent strategies, market intelligence and compensation benchmarking.
• Mentor junior consultants and share best practices.
• Ensure high candidate experience throughout the process.
• Support business development by pursuing new client opportunities.

Skills

Executive recruitment

Stakeholder management

Market mapping

Candidate screening

Interviewing

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

About the Role Our client, a distinguished recruitment consultancy operating in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , is searching for a highly skilled Principal Recruitment Specialist. This is a senior-level position focused on managing high-profile recruitment mandates and providing strategic guidance to clients and the internal team. You will play a critical role in identifying and attracting top-tier executive talent across various sectors critical to the Durban economy. This hybrid role offers the flexibility to balance in-office collaboration with remote work, ensuring a productive and engaging work environment. We are looking for a seasoned professional with a strong understanding of the regional market and a passion for excellence in talent acquisition.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex recruitment projects for executive and specialized roles.
• Develop and nurture strong, long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders and clients.
• Conduct thorough market mapping and competitor analysis to identify talent pools.
• Source, screen, and interview candidates, ensuring a high-quality talent pipeline.
• Provide expert consultation to clients on talent strategies, market intelligence, and compensation benchmarking.
• Mentor and guide junior recruitment consultants, sharing expertise and best practices.
• Ensure the highest standards of candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.
• Contribute to business development efforts, identifying and pursuing new client opportunities.

Requirements

• Over 8 years of comprehensive experience in recruitment, with a significant focus on executive search or specialized recruitment.
• Proven track record of successfully placing senior-level candidates in challenging roles.
• Extensive knowledge of the Durban and KwaZulu-Natal business and talent landscape.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and credibility with senior executives and clients.
• Proficiency in utilizing advanced sourcing techniques and recruitment technologies.
• A relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Benefits

• Our client offers an attractive compensation package commensurate with experience, including a competitive base salary and performance bonuses.
• The benefits include comprehensive medical aid, retirement fund contributions, and generous leave allowances.
• Employees have access to continuous learning and development opportunities, a stimulating work environment, and the chance to make a significant impact within a respected recruitment firm in Durban . The hybrid work arrangement supports a healthy work-life balance.