Pankaj Pandey

With 18 years of experience as a subject matter expert executive search consultant, I've developed strong skills in hiring C level executives, networking, and executive research within the banking & financial services, shared services, and GICs (India) industries. My expertise extends to both the Indian and Global markets. Throughout my career, I have successfully handled a wide range of front-to-back office roles in investment banking, including non-technical and technical positions.

• CSIR UGC JRF Qualified (Biotechnology), 06/2004
• Linkedin Workshop by GrowthSchool
• Certificate in Diversity Management by Great Learning
• Certificate in Generative AI Fundamental by Databricks

• Established MeritFox India, a boutique search firm, and built a team of 9 domain specialists.
• Supported Investment Banks, Asset Management Firms, Hedge Funds, Consulting firms, Indian AMCs, and Fintech clients over five years.
• Managed and led a customer-focused team, making strategic decisions for clients and business growth.
• Closed over 300 mandates, including 75+ leadership, 50+ front office, and various lateral hires across business functions.
• Established a German Investment Banking Technology Centre in Bangalore (01/2009 - 12/2010), recruiting 200+ individuals across levels from India, US, UK, and APAC within two years.
• Established an outsourcing and offshoring practice for ABC Consultants from inception.
• Deployed at an Investment Bank in Bangalore (01/2011) for nearly a year, collaborating directly with global internal and external stakeholders.
• Developed and implemented tailored search strategies to identify and successfully onboard suitable candidates.
• Developed business strategies aligned with client objectives.
• Successfully executed cross-border searches.
• Ensured high customer satisfaction and strengthened client relationships, positioning the organization as a preferred business partner.
• Provided market analysis and salary forecasting advice based on industry trends.
• Conducted market and competitor analysis to identify new business and revenue opportunities.
• Cultivated relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple organizations.
• Possesses a strong global presence in the IT & ITES sectors, primarily in the US, UK, Europe, and Singapore.
• Identified new market entrants and expansion opportunities for existing organizations in India.
• Consistently recognized as a top performer throughout my career.

• Internet searches (active & passive)
• Headhunting
• Networking
• LinkedIn
• Social Networking Sites
• Twitter
• XRaying
• Lead Generation
• Boolean Searches
• Journal
• Conferences
• Sites/Communities (GitHub, Stack overflow, Techgig etc.)
• Competitor Mapping
• Chrome Extensions
• Internet/Google Searches
• Naukri

• MeritFox India, Managing Partner (Founder), 01/2020 - Present
• Mancer Consulting Services, Senior Manager, 02/2019 - 11/2019
• SSJ Solutions, General Manager, 07/2018 - 02/2019
• ABC Consultants, Client Manager, 01/2015 - 04/2018
• Mancer Consulting Services, Manager, 12/2008 - 12/2014
• Brainsoft Consultants, IT Recruiter, 07/2007 - 12/2008

• Selected for Annual Conference twice (ABC Consultants)
• Won Best Senior Manager award for the month of 04/2019 & 08/2019.
• Best Practice Award for the year 2016 - 2017
• Rising Star for the year 2015 - 2016
• Won Best Manager award for the year 2013 - 2014
• Won Best Team Lead award for the year 2012 - 2013
• Won Best Employee Award for the year 2010 - 2011.
• Won Rising Star Award for the year 2009 - 2010.
• Won Best Employee (IT) for the year 2009 - 2010.
• Won Best TL & Employee of the month’s award many times.
• Won first prize in Business Plan competition during MBA.

• New business development, client relationship management, and client mining.
• Successfully converted dormant clients into profitable key accounts.
• Adept at market mapping for new customer identification.
• Liaised with senior stakeholders to generate business.
• Developed customized talent acquisition strategies for each mandate, encompassing talent pooling, screening, evaluation, negotiation, and successful onboarding.
• Prepared automated and manual ad hoc, weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for management review.
• Strong understanding of industry trends and global markets.
• Successfully conducted dipstick studies (competency mapping, operational structure, appraisal cycle, compensation benchmarking) with periodic GAP analysis and process re-engineering to enhance efficiency, cost control, and service quality.
• Provided industry mapping to clients based on hiring needs and expansion plans.
• Extensive experience in talent market landscape and mapping for critical/hard-to-fill skills.
• Driven diversity, equity, and inclusion programs for clients to meet annual targets.
• Led the 'Candidate Engagement' Program for committed candidates.
• Experienced in leading/managing recruiting, sourcing, and coordination teams.
• Achieved annual targets ranging from 70% to 170% at ABC Consultants as an Individual Contributor and Team Manager.
• Achieved 200% of individual contributor target and managed a maximum P&L of 3.5 Cr at Mancer.
• Built 5 Investment Banking & Hedge Funds clients into key accounts at ABC Consultants, becoming the #1 vendor partner for three consecutive fiscal years.

Banking & Financial Services - Investment Banking, Capital Markets, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Hedge Fund, Alternative Investment Fund, Private Equity, Product Engineering/Software Engineering, Data Management & Analytics, Consulting, Shared Services, GIC.