David Chong

Building Trust - with an Amazing Startup Team | Executive Search

Singapore, Singapore

About

With over 18 years of experience in talent acquisition across in-house, agency, and RPO environments, I’ve led end-to-end hiring strategies, built high-performing teams, and crafted compelling employer branding that consistently attracts top-tier talent. Currently based in Singapore, I lead talent strategy at Nanolumi—a fast-growing deep tech startup in material sciences—driving growth through strategic hiring and organizational design. I also partner with global MNCs to hire senior leaders across Japan, leveraging cultural insight and executive search expertise to ensure the right leadership fit.

Experience

  • Head of HR at Nanolumi
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    Build a high-impact, mission-driven team by attracting top talent, fostering a strong culture, and aligning people strategy with rapid business growth.

  • Director at FocusCore Japan
    Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Identifying exceptional leaders who thrive in Japan's unique business culture. If your company is facing hiring challenges or looking to build a resilient leadership team, let’s connect!

  • Talent Acquisition Director APAC at Korn Ferry
    Oct 2021 - Dec 2023 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Lead APAC recruitment delivery for marquee clients as part of global projects. • Coach high performing teams across diverse cultures and countries. • Achieve P&L targets, perform project repricing, enable governance and improvement. • Partner specialists in Branding, DE&I, and Quality in Continuous Improvement and Delivery Excellence. • Support RPO Sales and Solutions in pursuing new opportunities. Achievement: Exceeded P&L and SLAs. #talentacquistion #talentacquisitionstrategy #outsource #rpo #workforcestrategy

  • Talent Acquisition Leader, non-ANZ at Toll Group
    May 2020 - Sep 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Implement recruitment remodel across APAC, EMEA, and USA. • Build digital brand and talent communities, redesign internal referral program. • Review data analytics, simplify processes, and improve recruiter productivity. Achievement: Successfully onboarded new RPO. Toll Group solves any logistics, transport or supply chain challenge for customers worldwide.

  • Talent Acquisition Director, ASEAN at Pactera
    Jan 2019 - May 2020 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Remodel in-house recruitment and implement talent strategy. • Drive team KPIs to ensure positive experience for hiring leaders and candidates. • Engage Institute of Higher Learning to attract students to strengthen Singaporean core. Achievement: Completed TA remodel and built a manual end-to-end applicant tracking system. Pactera offers Technology Services to clients in Banks, Insurance, Telco, and Retail.