Securing a Strategic Commercial Leader for Taiwan's Semiconductor Ecosystem
How Robert Walters helped a leading AI infrastructure company appoint its first Director of Business Development in Taiwan.
Case Study
Our client is a pioneering photonic computing company transforming the future of artificial intelligence infrastructure. As the business accelerated its expansion across Asia, it sought to establish a stronger commercial presence in Taiwan through the strategic appointment of a senior Business Development leader. Given the highly specialised nature of the role, the company required an executive search partner capable of identifying candidates with deep semiconductor industry expertise, an established local network, and the ability to drive market growth in a rapidly evolving sector.
- Service: Executive Search
- Industry: Semiconductor / AI Infrastructure
- Size: 400+ employees globally
- Locations: United States, Canada, Taiwan, and global operations
The challenge
As a fast-growing AI infrastructure company expanded its presence in Taiwan, it needed to appoint its first Director of Business Development to drive market growth and build strategic relationships across the semiconductor ecosystem. The role was critical to supporting the company's long-term expansion plans in one of the world's most important technology markets.
However, the search presented several challenges. The role required a rare combination of deep semiconductor industry expertise, an established network within Taiwan's technology landscape, and the commercial leadership capabilities to engage senior stakeholders across the value chain. In addition, the company faced significant time pressures and needed to secure the right individual quickly to support its product roadmap and regional expansion plans.
As a US-based company entering the Taiwan market, it also had limited access to local talent networks and market intelligence. Traditional recruitment approaches were unlikely to reach the highly specialised and predominantly passive talent pool required for such a strategic appointment, prompting the company to engage Robert Walters on an exclusive executive search assignment.
The solution
To address these challenges, we implemented a targeted executive search strategy tailored to the client's aggressive hiring timeline and expansion plans in Taiwan.
- Conducted a focused talent mapping exercise to identify senior business development leaders with deep semiconductor industry expertise and established industry networks.
- Leveraged Robert Walters' market intelligence and executive search expertise to provide insights on talent availability, compensation expectations, and candidate motivations.
- Maintained close communication with both the client and candidates throughout the process, ensuring a streamlined interview process and rapid decision-making.
- Provided proactive offer management and stakeholder alignment to secure the preferred candidate in a highly competitive talent market.
Key results
Our targeted executive search approach delivered a successful outcome within an aggressive hiring timeline and a highly competitive talent market.
- Successfully appointed the client's first Director of Business Development in Taiwan within 3 months.
- Delivered highly qualified candidates aligned with the client's requirements, achieving an 80% interview conversion rate and a 100% offer acceptance rate.
- Leveraged market intelligence and proactive offer management to successfully secure the client's preferred candidate.
- Earned an exclusive search mandate by demonstrating speed, market expertise, and a highly consultative approach throughout the engagement.
By combining targeted talent mapping, market intelligence, and proactive stakeholder management, Robert Walters helped the client secure a key commercial leader to support its growth in Taiwan.
Client testimonial
Robert Walters acted as a true partner throughout our search, providing valuable market insights and helping us secure the right leader at a critical stage of our growth.
Head of Talent Acquisition,
Leading AI Infrastructure Company
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Speak to our expert permanent recruiters
John Winter
Country Manager Taiwan
John has over 15 years of recruitment and general management experience in the UK, Singapore and Taiwan. Currently he serves as the Country Manager for Robert Walters' Taiwan business.
Amy Lin
Tech & Digital Transformation Taipei
Experienced in tech recruitment with strong understanding of infrastructure and IT talent markets, focusing on IT roles across software, hardware, and consumer sectors.
Gary Liao
Tech & Digital Transformation Taipei
Focused on semiconductor recruitment, supporting global and local firms in hiring key talent, with a focus on engineering and leadership roles.
