Director - Executive Recruiting - job 1 of 2

Company Description

Organizations everywhere struggle under the crushing costs and complexities of “solutions” that promise to simplify their lives. To create a better experience for their customers and employees. To help them grow. Software is a choice that can make or break a business. Create better or worse experiences. Propel or throttle growth. Business software has become a blocker instead of ways to get work done. 

There’s another option. Freshworks. With a fresh vision for how the world works.

At Freshworks, we build uncomplicated service software that delivers exceptional customer and employee experiences. Our enterprise-grade solutions are powerful, yet easy to use, and quick to deliver results. Our people-first approach to AI eliminates friction, making employees more effective and organizations more productive. Over 72,000 companies, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music, trust Freshworks’ customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX) software to fuel customer loyalty and service efficiency. And, over 4,500 Freshworks employees make this possible, all around the world. 

Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.

Job Description

We're seeking a strategic and highly experienced Director of Executive Recruiting to lead end-to-end search efforts for executive-level hires across our global SaaS organization. In this role, you will serve as a trusted partner to our C-suite and senior leadership—bringing rigor, creativity, and a leadership mindset rooted in our GREAT leadership behaviors. You will be responsible for developing and executing search strategies that thoughtfully assess and balance internal succession candidates alongside external market talent, ensuring we elevate the best leaders to shape our future. With a focus on candidate quality, inclusive slates, and stakeholder alignment, you’ll play a critical role in building a leadership team that builds our org capabilities to drive our mission forward.

• Partner directly with the CxOs and other functional leaders to understand business goals, succession needs, and hiring priorities.
• Participate in discussions involving internal leadership talent bench strength to proactively map internal talent to new leadership hiring requirements.
• Own and lead full-cycle executive searches (VP and above) across all functions including GTM, Product, Engineering, and G&A. Design and execute proactive executive search strategies that attract and cultivate diverse, high-performing, purpose-aligned leaders.
• Lead candidate assessment process by addressing candidate motivators, required domain expertise, demonstration of the Great Leadership Behaviors, and fit for our company values.
• Lead candidate engagement with discretion, gravitas, and insight—ensuring a white-glove experience throughout.
• Serve as an internal advisor on executive talent market trends, competitive intel, and org design implications.
• Collaborate with compensation, HRBP, and legal partners on offer strategy and executive onboarding.
• Drive operational excellence: track and report on key executive hiring metrics and search progress.
• Uphold and champion our employer brand in every search.

This role is based in San Mateo, CA and follows a hybrid work schedule - in office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; remote on Monday and

Friday.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of talent acquisition experience, with 5+ years focused on executive recruiting in tech or SaaS environments
• Demonstrated success placing VP, SVP, and C-level leaders in fast-growing companies - preferred experience includes prior search firm experience
• Deep understanding of executive-level assessment, organizational design, and succession planning
• Proven ability to manage confidential searches with high discretion and integrity
• Strong business acumen; able to translate complex org needs into clear search strategies
• Executive presence with exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience operating as a trusted advisor to the C-suite
• A builder’s mindset—comfortable working in fast-paced, high-growth, and sometimes ambiguous environments

Additional Information

The annual base salary range for this position is $212,000 — $300,00 USD + Variable Compensation

Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location, experience, job-related skills, and level. 

Freshworks offers multiple options for dental, medical, vision, disability and life insurances. Equity + ESPP, flexible PTO, flexible spending, commuter benefits and wellness benefits are also offered. Freshworks also offers adoption and parental leave benefits.

At Freshworks, we are creating a global workplace that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for all and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer work environment that advances the goals of our employees, communities and the business.

At Freshworks, we are creating a global workplace that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for all and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer work environment that advances the goals of our employees, communities and the business.