Permanent Recruitment Case Study: Growth Manager, Asia Pacific

Job title of Permanent Recruitment: Growth Manager, Asia-Pacific
Recruitment Type: Retained and Exclusive to Faststream Recruitment
Business Type: Maritime Software focused on Navigation and Decarbonisation
Location: Singapore with Asia-Pacific Remit
Key Stakeholders: Head of Growth and Human Resources Director
Faststream Recruitment Representative: Robert Warner, Associate Director - Asia-Pacific, Faststream Recruitment
A global maritime software company, specialising in navigation and decarbonisation solutions, approached Faststream Recruitment for support in hiring a Growth Manager to lead their entry into the Asia Pacific market. While already well-established in other regions, the business had yet to open operations in APAC.
The role, based in Singapore, required an individual who could step into a broad commercial role – leading and growing a small cluster of existing accounts while developing new relationships with ship owners across the region. The candidate needed to be a versatile solution seller, skilled in lead generation and account management, and culturally aware to effectively operate across a diverse set of countries. The role also demanded a high level of autonomy, as the successful hire would report to a manager based in Denmark and navigate multiple time zones independently.

The Challenge

The client had a clear growth target in the region and had budgeted the role into their new year plans. They needed someone in place by January, with the hiring brief launched in November – creating a tight timeline, especially considering the upcoming holiday season and notice periods.

There were several key challenges:

  • The client was not a known employer brand in Singapore, and they lacked insight into the local candidate market.

  • Their previous experience with a contingent agency resulted in poor-quality CVs and minimal service.

  • They required salary benchmarking advice, needing validation on what talent they could secure within their budget.

  • The role was demanding, requiring self-motivation, cultural adaptability, and end-to-end sales skills.

The Solution

Faststream offered a retained and exclusive search, ensuring dedication to the assignment. Robert Warner led the search process, working closely with the client’s Head of Growth and HR Director to define a clear brief and build a tailored strategy for success.

Our Recruitment Process:

  • A detailed consultation to understand the expectations, skill requirements, cultural fit, and reporting structure.

  • A targeted search strategy using market mapping, proactive outreach, and insight-led sourcing across the APAC region.

  • Screening and behavioural assessment using PPA (Personal Profile Analysis) to evaluate drive, motivation, and working style.

  • Delivery of a high-quality shortlist within the agreed timeline.

  • Structured interview coordination, offer management, and preboarding support.

  • Clear, consistent communication and updates throughout – critical due to the compressed timeframe over the Christmas period.

Our collaborative partnership with the client enabled quick feedback loops and decision-making, helping to overcome the challenges of limited brand awareness and a competitive candidate market.

The Results

Faststream delivered a successful hire within a tight timeframe, despite the added complexities of recruiting over the Christmas period and into a new regional market. From the initial brief in November, the process was carefully managed to ensure the candidate was identified, assessed, and onboarded by January, meeting the client’s critical timeline for their Asia Pacific growth plans.

The appointed Growth Manager brought the ideal mix of skills – a strong background in solution selling, the ability to engage effectively with ship owners, and the self-driven attitude required to operate independently across time zones with minimal oversight. Their versatility and cultural awareness allowed them to connect quickly with customers across a diverse region, building trust and delivering commercial results.

The candidate met all performance targets set for the role. They not only maintained and grew the existing cluster of companies under their remit but also helped the business gain new traction in the APAC market. Their success in the role meant the client had no need to layer additional management above them, validating the quality and fit of the hire.

This placement has already had a wide impact on the business. Off the back of the hire’s performance and early wins, the company has begun to explore further expansion plans in the region, a significant step forward for a business previously without a presence in Asia Pacific.

Beyond the hire itself, the client benefited from:

  • Speed and precision in delivery, ensuring the role was filled ahead of critical business targets

  • Improved operational capability in a new market, delivered by a single, high-impact individual

  • Insight into local salary expectations and guidance on achievable candidate profiles within budget

  • Enhanced employer brand positioning, with Faststream acting as a professional ambassador in a region where the brand was not well known

  • A collaborative recruitment partnership built on regular updates, shared goals, and mutual trust

This project showcased the value of a specialist, retained approach – combining regional knowledge, technical understanding, and a commitment to delivering not just a candidate, but the right person to drive business growth.

​What next?

Find out more about our permanent recruitment services in maritime and shipping.

Permanent Maritime Recruitment

​Contact us

​Please complete your details in the form below:

Latest Insights

View All Insights
How to Measure Internal Hiring in Maritime - Maritime Recruitment - Faststream Recruitment
How to Measure Internal Hiring Success in Maritime

Hiring in the maritime industry is about securing the right talent to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Whether hiring for ship management, crewing, technical, or shore-based roles,...

Superintendent Survey 2025 - Faststream Recruitment
The Superintendent Survey – We want to hear from you

Calling all Superintendents Worldwide​Faststream Recruitment is launching a global Superintendent Employment Survey, and we’d love for you to take part.Why are we conducting this survey? The global...

Expanding Globally? How Maritime Leaders Can Stay Compliant - Employer of Record - EOR - Faststream Recruitment
Expanding Globally? How Maritime Leaders Can Stay Compliant

For maritime leaders, international expansion offers exciting growth opportunities but it also comes with workforce complexities. Hiring across multiple jurisdictions means navigating a web of visa...

Why Discipline, Not Motivation, Drives Career Growth - Faststream Recruitment
Why Discipline, Not Motivation, Drives Career Growth

Success in any career is not just about talent, ambition, or luck. It is about discipline. In the maritime and shipping sectors, the professionals who achieve long-term career growth are those who ...

Global Ship Operators Employment Report 2025 - Faststream Recruitment
Just released: Global Ship Operators Employment Report 2025

We are pleased to launch the Global Ship Operators Employment Report 2025, our most comprehensive look yet into the real thoughts, motivations, and concerns of ship operators worldwide. With insigh...

Scaling Your Maritime Workforce with RPO: A Flexible Approach to Hiring - Maritime RPO - Maritime Recruitment Process Outsourcing - Maritime Recruitment - Faststream Recruitment
Scaling Your Maritime Workforce with RPO: A Flexible Approach to Hiring

The maritime industry is constantly evolving, market fluctuations, regulatory changes, and shifting project demands mean that companies must remain agile. Yet, when it comes to hiring, many maritim...

The Future of Maritime Work: Permanent versus Contract Recruitment - Faststream Recruitment
The Future of Maritime Work: Permanent versus Contract Recruitment

The maritime industry is evolving, and so is its workforce. Traditional permanent roles have long been the backbone of maritime businesses, but in recent years, contract recruitment has been on the...

AI, Automation and the Future of Maritime Jobs: Why Human Skills Still Matter - Faststream Recruitment
AI, Automation and the Future of Maritime Jobs: Why Human Skills Still Matter

AI is reshaping the maritime industry at an unprecedented pace. From predictive maintenance and autonomous shipping to AI-driven recruitment and workforce optimisation, technology is making operati...

Take the Guesswork Out of Salaries: The Power of Custom Benchmarking for Maritime Hiring - Maritime Salary Surveys - Faststream Recruitment
Take the Guesswork Out of Salaries: The Power of Custom Benchmarking for Maritime Hiring

Salary benchmarking plays a vital role in maritime recruitment and compensation strategies, but not all salary reports provide real value. Many businesses rely on off-the-shelf salary surveys that ...

How EOR Services Simplify Global Maritime Hiring - Employer of Record - Faststream Recruitment
Exploring International Waters: How EOR Services Simplify Global Maritime Hiring

The maritime industry is inherently global, connecting ports, businesses, and talent across continents. However, hiring internationally in this sector is no small feat. Complex labour laws, diverse...

5 Signs You Need an RPO Solution For Your Maritime Business - Recruitment Process Outsourcing - RPO - Faststream Recruitment
5 Signs You Need an RPO Solution for Your Maritime Business

Recruiting in the maritime and shipping sectors is not getting any easier. With ongoing skills shortages, an ageing workforce, and increasing global competition, many businesses struggle to attract...

Closing the Gap Between Words and Actions in Maritime Leadership - Maritime Executive Search - Faststream Executive Search
Closing the Gap Between Words and Actions in Maritime Leadership

Let’s be honest, closing the gap between what you say and what you do as a leader isn’t easy. It’s especially difficult in maritime, where the stakes are high, the challenges are constant, and you ...