Sector: Global SaaS | Location: Australia (APAC HQ) | Engagement model: Flat fee retained search – milestone based.
Case highlight
Placed a VP of Marketing for a global SaaS company in a confidential, multi-stakeholder executive search. Delivered under a flat-fee retained model, aligning global decision-makers and securing top talent in the AU market.
The challenge
A global SaaS company was preparing to elevate its marketing leadership in APAC to meet the demands of its next growth phase.
This was a high-stakes and highly confidential executive search. The role needed to be repositioned for future impact, and the recruitment process had to be managed discreetly to protect internal alignment, market perception, and candidate engagement.
The client’s internal TA team was offshore, and given the confidential nature of the role, they were unable to engage directly with candidates in the local market. This required a trusted, discreet partner on the ground in Australia who could navigate the executive landscape with care, credibility, and confidentiality.
To further complicate things, the hiring process involved stakeholders across multiple continents, each with different views on what was essential, desirable, and achievable. The lack of alignment risked delaying key decisions and potentially losing top-tier candidates to more agile opportunities.
Our response
TSG had already delivered several critical hires for this SaaS business, so we had a strong understanding of their leadership culture, decision-making rhythms, and go-to-market strategy.
But our ability to execute this VP-level search wasn’t based on past experience alone.
We brought the same structured, senior-level recruitment methodology we use with any executive engagement. This meant we were able to act quickly, manage global stakeholders, and deliver a shortlist that matched both capability and cultural alignment.
What we delivered:
- Role Repositioning Strategy
We worked closely with the client to define the future state of the VP of Marketing role balancing strategic objectives with internal sensitivities. - Confidential Scorecarding & Market Mapping
We created a scorecard of must haves and non-negotiables, then conducted targeted market mapping, benchmarking each candidate against defined leadership criteria.
- Discreet Shortlisting & Candidate Engagement
All outreach was managed under NDA, with screening conversations focused on executive maturity, growth-stage readiness, and cultural fit. - Stakeholder Alignment Across Regions
We coordinated feedback and alignment across APAC, EMEA, and the US – navigating diverse leadership expectations and aligning them to a shared hiring outcome. - End-to-End Candidate Experience Management
We ensured every candidate was respected, informed, and fully engaged protecting the client’s brand despite timeline changes or internal debate.
The outcome
After aligning expectations across the business, the client successfully hired a strategically aligned VP of Marketing who brought both regional insight and global perspective.
The business moved forward with clarity, confidence, and a unified marketing vision across regions.
Why it worked
TSG made this complex, high-stakes hire possible by:
- Applying a proven senior search process, customised for this unique scenario.
- Aligning global stakeholders and removing roadblocks to decision-making.
- Managing candidate engagement with the discretion senior roles demand.
Commercials
We agreed to a flat-fee retainer, split across two milestone payments tied to search kick-off and shortlist presentation. Simple. Transparent. Aligned.
