Key Account Manager

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Key Account Manager – Talent Advisory & Growth based in India.

This is a high-impact, remote role focused on helping high-growth startups solve critical hiring challenges through a combination of talent advisory, account management, and AI-powered recruitment technology. You will act as a trusted advisor to founders, CXOs, and hiring managers, guiding them from initial hiring briefs through candidate selection and offer closure. The role combines consultative relationship management with hands-on ownership of talent pipelines and commercial outcomes. You will manage a portfolio of startup accounts while continuously identifying opportunities to improve hiring strategies and outcomes. A strong emphasis is placed on autonomy, problem-solving, adaptability, and measurable performance. The environment is fast-paced, entrepreneurial, technology-driven, and designed for professionals who want significant ownership and uncapped earning potential.

• Own the full client and talent acquisition lifecycle, from initial discovery and hiring brief through candidate qualification, negotiation, and successful closure.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 3–5 startup accounts, building trusted relationships with founders, CXOs, hiring managers, and other key decision-makers.
• Lead regular client conversations, understand hiring priorities, challenge assumptions constructively, and provide data-driven recommendations based on market and talent realities.
• Manage end-to-end candidate pipelines, including sourcing, qualification, outreach, stage progression, coordination, and offer negotiations.
• Use AI-powered sourcing, recruitment databases, and outreach tools to accelerate candidate identification and improve conversion rates.
• Proactively troubleshoot stalled searches by refining job specifications, adjusting target talent pools, and adapting sourcing strategies.
• Own portfolio-level revenue, retention, repeat mandates, and closing targets, consistently working toward defined commercial and performance objectives.
• Develop long-term client relationships that encourage account retention, expansion, and additional hiring mandates.
• Contribute to broader talent advisory and growth initiatives by sharing market insights, successful approaches, and opportunities to improve recruitment processes.

• Demonstrated experience owning a multi-stage process from discovery or briefing through negotiation and closure, ideally in recruitment, talent acquisition, consultative sales, account management, or client success.
• Strong consultative communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas clearly, influence decision-makers, challenge assumptions constructively, and use data to support recommendations.
• Proven problem-solving and adaptability, particularly when managing ambiguous situations, stalled processes, changing priorities, or demanding client requirements.
• High ownership and agency, with the ability to independently manage a portfolio, prioritize competing tasks, and consistently deliver against revenue or performance metrics.
• Previous experience in agency recruitment, executive search, or in-house talent acquisition is advantageous.
• Experience working directly with founders, CXOs, senior executives, or hiring managers is highly valued.
• Familiarity with recruitment platforms, ATS systems, CRM databases, AI-enabled sourcing tools, or modern talent technology is a plus.
• Understanding of startup ecosystems, business models, technology hiring, and broader talent-market dynamics is beneficial.
• Strong commercial mindset, negotiation ability, relationship-building skills, and a genuine interest in helping companies make better hiring decisions.
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment while maintaining strong communication, accountability, and follow-through.

• Competitive compensation: ₹6,00,000–₹15,00,000 CTC per year, depending on location, experience, and background.
• Uncapped performance incentives: Opportunity to significantly increase earnings through performance-based compensation and successful portfolio growth.
• Remote-first flexibility: Work remotely from anywhere in India with an emphasis on outcomes rather than unnecessary meetings or supervision.
• High-impact exposure: Work directly with startup founders, executives, and senior hiring leaders across the Indian and US startup ecosystems.
• AI-powered tools: Access to proprietary talent databases, AI sourcing capabilities, and outreach technology designed to reduce manual recruitment effort and increase productivity.
• Career development: Build expertise across talent advisory, recruitment, account management, consultative selling, and startup business growth.
• High autonomy: Take ownership of your client portfolio, revenue objectives, relationships, and day-to-day execution.
• Entrepreneurial environment: Join a fast-moving, technology-led environment backed by established investors and focused on innovation in talent acquisition.