Executive Search Lead

Executive Search Lead - Technology Canonical is a leading provider of open-source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1 200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office‑based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person in interesting locations around the world to align on strategy and execution. Canonical is a founder‑led, profitable and growing, remote‑first tech company that attracts a huge number of applicants to our organization. This opportunity is part of our Talent Science team, which ensures objective, scientifically rigorous and efficient processes to select the best new colleagues regardless of location, culture or background. The role We are looking for a Talent Scientist who will lead on teaching senior executives how to source senior talent. Your key skills will include: Experience identifying and approaching senior leadership talent either from a professional search firm or from an in‑house search function within the Technology industry. Excellent knowledge of tools used to identify future talent, including market mapping. Strong analytical problem‑solving ability to identify trends and patterns from data using SQL or Python. Location: EMEA – Home based Responsibilities Develop a search strategy for our business, ensuring processes enable headhunted talent to move smoothly through the pipeline. Coach senior leadership teams to drive hiring outcomes and to become experts at approaching and attracting exceptional talent for management and leadership positions. Drive talent analytics to provide real‑time insight by using SQL or Python to identify trends in data. Conduct in‑depth behavioural talent interviews to gain insights into motivations and behaviours. Build key relationships with global stakeholders to ensure delivery against our hiring agenda, closely monitoring hiring activities, driving results and ensuring consistency in operational processes. Seek continuous improvement on hiring processes and outcomes. Bring a passion for diversity and inclusion, removing unconscious bias from our hiring process and ensuring our sourcing strategy upholds this. Qualifications Professional experience of headhunting from a reputable executive search firm or in‑house search function, with a strong opinion on strategies and success in sourcing senior talent in the Technology industry. Exposure or appreciation of psychometric assessments. Strong analytical problem‑solving ability with proficiency in SQL or Python, and an excellent academic background (Bachelor’s or Master’s in Psychology or a people‑based subject, plus a good level of maths from high school). Experience conducting behavioural, competency‑based interviews and the ability to train stakeholders on how to get the best out of an interview. High level of personal organisation to work remotely and be effective. Willingness to travel to company events 2–4 times a year, for up to two weeks each. Other Skills You May Bring Advanced analytical and statistical analysis to interrogate data. Exposure to tools such as Greenhouse ATS, Thomas International and DISC profiling. Knowledge of psychometric validity and reliability metrics. What we offer Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person. Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year. Annual compensation review. Recognition rewards. Annual holiday leave. Maternity and paternity leave. Employee Assistance Programme. Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues. Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events. About Canonical Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the publisher of Ubuntu – one of the most important open‑source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud – we are changing the world on a daily basis. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. Canonical is an equal‑opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration. #J-18808-Ljbffr