Sierra is a conversational AI platform that helps enterprises build AI agents for customer experience. It entered Japan in December 2025 and acquired Tokyo-based Opera Tech in March 2026.
As Sierra scaled its Japan team, hiring relied on referrals. Grow partnered with Sierra as its RPO partner to secure team leadership and hire Agent Engineers and Strategists, building a Japan market map and sourcing playbook, role-specific screening guides, and an outbound sourcing channel.
Referral-Only Hiring
Relied only on referrals and Opera Tech acquisition hires. Built outbound sourcing and set up candidate shortlists by track: FDE, Consulting, and SWE.
Leadership Gaps
Needed a Lead Engineer and a Lead Strategist to lead the growing Agent Engineer and Strategist teams.
Rapid Team Scale-Up
Needed to scale both Agent teams quickly. Built screening guides for each role and shortened the interview process to reflect day-to-day FDE work instead of algorithm tests.
First Sourced Hire in 5 Weeks
Made Sierra Japan's first-ever sourced hire within 5 weeks, where every earlier hire had come from a referral.
2 Key Leadership Hires
Added a lead to both the Engineering and Strategy teams.
Rapid Early Team Scale-Up
Helped scale both the Agent Engineer and Strategist teams in the first 3.5 months of the partnership, which is ongoing as Sierra Japan works toward its year-end headcount goal.