Principal, Executive Recruiting Lead

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Principal, Executive Recruiting Lead to lead and manage the team at Zoox. In this critical role, you will act as a trusted strategic thought partner directly to the C-suite, successfully executing Director/VP+ leadership searches and driving infrastructure of our executive search function in-house. This role requires a proven track record of successfully executing searches for senior level roles, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and thriving in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. 

• Leadership: Design and scale a world-class executive search function, including managing/coaching a small team, development of internal executive research capabilities and long-term succession planning.
• End-to-End Recruitment:  Own and drive the entire executive recruitment lifecycle, from initial strategy meeting to candidate offer and closing, ensuring a seamless and high-touch experience for all executive candidates.
• Market Mapping & Sourcing: Develop sophisticated, data-driven market maps of executive talent in relevant industries (e.g., autonomous technology, automotive, software, hardware engineering, operations, finance).
• Candidate Engagement: Articulate the Zoox mission, vision, and unique culture compellingly to high-profile executive candidates, often involving complex compensation, negotiation, and relocation strategies.
• Confidentiality & Discretion: Handle extremely sensitive and confidential candidate information and internal organizational details with the utmost professionalism and discretion.
• Partnering with Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the CEO, C-suite, and other senior leaders on talent planning, and executive hiring best practices.
• Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in executive search processes, leveraging tools, metrics, and interview methodologies.
• Passive Candidate Conversion: Develop and execute tailored strategies to attract and successfully engage highly passive, hard-to-reach executive candidates, effectively converting passive interest into active candidacy.

• Experience: 5+ years of experience with executive searches (Director+) and 15+ total recruiting experience.
• Domain Expertise: Proven experience recruiting executive talent in a highly technical and/or rapidly scaling environment (e.g., hardware, software, AI/ML, autonomous systems, high-growth tech).
• Leadership:  Successful multi-year track record as a player-coach, managing small team/direct reports.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and present to C-level executives.
• Negotiation: Expert-level negotiation and closing skills, particularly for complex executive compensation packages.
• Executive Sourcing & Talent Mapping: Providing real-time competitive intelligence and talent benchmarking to the executive team, identifying shifts in the talent landscapes that may necessitate  pivots.
• Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.

• Experience at a retained executive search firm focused on technology (either companies or function). 
• Interest in the autonomous and electric vehicle industry.
• Expertise in leveraging ATS (we use Lever) to build metrics, sourcing strategies, and talent pipelines.

• This role will report out of our Foster City, CA office in a hybrid capacity (minimum of 3 days onsite)

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

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Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to View email address on ziprecruiter.com or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note:

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.