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

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. Our consultant 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.