Regional Operational Director – APAC & India Early Careers

Every year, we help hundreds of thousands of people find rewarding jobs in the ever-changing world of work.

We understand the importance of a job in peoples lifes and we want to help them find work that feels good. And we’ll help them continue to grow as their needs and ambitions change.

At Randstad, our value comes from our people and that is why we put them first. We are proud of our learning culture and career architecture framework that encourages ours team to develop both personally and professionally.

We believe that talent grows when presented with opportunity and this is why we encourage our people to think beyond their role. We have created a culture that enables talent to flourish, encouraging entrepreneurship, fostering team spirit, and continually building mutual trust.

Role Overview

Job Title: Regional Operational Director – APAC & India Early Careers

Reports To: Global Program Lead

Location: APAC Region (India, Japan, ASEAN, GCG, ANZ)

Scope: Regional APAC Delivery (including Japan), India Early Careers Solution, and Global Leadership Team collaboration.

Volume Responsibility: ~5,000 annual hires across Early Careers and Professional hiring.

About Randstad Enterprise

As the leading global talent solutions provider, Randstad Enterprise enables companies to create sustainable business value and agility by keeping people at the heart of their organizations. Part of Randstad N.V., we combine unmatched talent data and market insights with smart technologies and deep people expertise. Our integrated talent solutions - delivered by Randstad Advisory, Randstad Sourceright, and Randstad RiseSmart - help companies build skilled and agile workforces that move their businesses forward.

Randstad Enterprise supports some of the world's most renowned brands to build talent acquisition and management models that not only meet their business needs today but also in the future. We offer solutions across the EMEA, APAC, and North America (NAM) regions. This results in a digital way of working and requires a proactive mindset. Our solutions know no limits; we have proven experience delivering market-leading MSP, RPO, Total Talent, and Services Procurement Solutions including technology, talent marketing, talent intelligence, and workforce consulting services.

About the Team

Our team is a group of talented and dedicated professionals who are passionate about our work and committed to delivering exceptional results. We are a global group that values collaboration, open communication, and a supportive work environment. This team is responsible for Full Life Cycle Recruiting and Recruiting Operations in partnership with a global Fortune-500 client, and we take pride in the important role we play in achieving our client's business goals.

We are a diverse group with a range of skills and backgrounds, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. We are committed to fostering a culture of learning and growth, encouraging each other to take on new challenges and develop our skills. We believe in working hard, having fun, and celebrating our successes together.

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Global Program Lead, you will hold total operational and financial responsibility for the client engagement and partnership across the APAC region. You will be a vital member of the Global Leadership Team, actively collaborating to align regional delivery with global strategy.

This role requires a sophisticated operational leader who can balance the management of a high-volume professional RPO (~5,000 hires combined) across complex regions like Japan, while simultaneously standing up and overseeing a brand-new, dedicated Early Careers solution for India. Crucially, you will embed a rigorous operating rhythm and robust delivery governance across all teams, supported by dedicated Quality Assurance (QA) and Training functions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional TA Strategy & Senior Stakeholder Management

Partner consultatively with senior client stakeholders across the APAC region and globally to design and execute cutting-edge regional TA strategies.

Act as a trusted advisor, bringing forward industry best practices, talent intelligence, and innovative methodologies to future-proof the client’s talent model.

Develop content for and lead high-impact operational and partnership reviews (MBRs/QBRs) both internally and externally.

1. Operational Delivery & Governance

Drive the operational delivery of ~5,000 annual hires spanning early careers and professional segments across APAC (including nuance-heavy markets like Japan).

Embed a structured, highly disciplined operating rhythm and strict delivery governance into the daily ways of working across all recruitment teams.

Oversee a dedicated Quality Assurance (QA) Team to guarantee that RPO delivery aligns flawlessly with contractual compliance, regional regulations, and internal governance.

Oversee a dedicated Training Team to ensure accurate process adoption, continuous professional development, and swift onboarding of delivery teams.

Ensure all regional accounts consistently meet or exceed SLAs, KPIs, and customer satisfaction (NPS) targets.

1. India Early Careers Solution Oversight

Take ultimate operational accountability for the implementation, stabilization, and ongoing success of the new Early Careers solution in India.

Ensure the delivery model is optimized for high-volume campus, graduate, and apprentice hiring, leveraging digital-first attraction and assessment tactics.

1. Financial & Contractual Management

Own the regional budget, forecasting, and full P&L management for the assigned APAC portfolio.

Implement strategic programs to guarantee the attainment of business plans regarding growth, cost-effectiveness, and profitability.

Ensure all contract schedules are signed, centralized, and adhered to, with the ability to execute commercial terms and manage accurate client billing/collections.

1. Team Leadership & Matrix Management

Manage, inspire, and monitor a diverse, matrix-based delivery team spread across multiple APAC geographies.

Coach and mentor direct reports, establishing clear performance metrics and productivity goals to encourage staff retention and career progression.

Directly manage employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions as required, in compliance with regional corporate guidelines.

Position Requirements

Experience & Education

experience in recruitment operations, talent acquisition leadership, or regional RPO delivery within complex, global organizations.

Proven track record managing large-scale regional portfolios with hiring volumes exceeding several thousand hires annually.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

Regional Expertise: Deep understanding of the APAC talent landscape, with specific experience navigating complex markets like Japan and high-volume environments like India.

Governance Mindset: Demonstrated experience embedding operational rhythms, QA frameworks, and training governance into matrixed recruitment teams.

Financial Acumen: Direct experience managing a complex P&L, including accurate forecasting and budget optimization.

Stakeholder Management: Superior consulting, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; comfortable influencing and challenging executive-level stakeholders globally and regionally.

Continuous Improvement: Detail-oriented with an innate drive for quality. Experience utilizing Six Sigma, Lean, or Agile project management methodologies is highly preferred

Is this the job for you? We would love to hear from you! Please apply directly to the role and we will get in touch with you.