Fanatics is a global digital sports platform covering licensed merchandise, collectibles, betting and gaming, and events. As it expanded across Japan and Korea, it needed its first senior HR leader for the region.
With no local TA team in Tokyo and hiring run from the UK and Singapore, Fanatics chose Grow from three search firms. Grow partnered with the international recruiting team to find an HR Director for Japan & Korea, combining compensation benchmarking, network-led sourcing and weekly pipeline reporting.
Rare Bilingual Leadership Profile
Few people in Japan combined senior HR leadership with native-level Japanese and English, and the role required balancing local culture with global HR processes across Japan and Korea.
Remote, Multi-Stakeholder Process
Hiring was run from the UK and Singapore with no local TA team in Tokyo, through about 4 interview rounds across the UK, Singapore, Tokyo and the US.
Tight Closing Window
Candidates held competing offers with short decision deadlines, while the client's internal approvals took time to complete.
100% Interview Rate
Secured client interviews for every candidate introduced, with 60% reaching the final round with the Japan MD.
Filled in About 3 Months
Completed the search about 3 months after kick-off, with verbal acceptance within 2 weeks of the final interview.
Offer Accepted Within 2 Weeks
Pushed for fast internal approvals and managed decision deadlines, securing acceptance within 2 weeks of the final interview for Fanatics' first senior HR leader in the region.