Senior Talent Partner - Data & AI

About Riverflex

Riverflex was founded in Amsterdam and London in 2018, growing into a global team dedicated to helping courageous leaders drive intelligent transformation. We operate through three core service pillars: strategy & transformation consulting for Creating Change, talent services for Building Teams, and business-accelerating AI products for Augmenting Intelligence.

We stand apart from traditional consultancies by combining AI-enabled teams and on-demand expertise to tackle complex client challenges. As we expand across the Netherlands, UK, and UAE, we are strengthening our internal Data & AI capability and evolving our Talent & Community unit into a revenue-generating, AI-native Talent Advisory model. Learn more at www.riverflex.com.

Your Role as a Senior Talent Partner - Data & AI

This is not a traditional, delivery-only recruitment position. You will operate as an entrepreneur within Riverflex, taking ownership of your market, building your personal brand, driving revenue, and serving as a trusted strategic partner for both clients and candidates.

You will engage in a 360° recruitment model, combining excellence in delivery, business development, and thought leadership within the dynamic Data & AI ecosystem. While business development responsibilities may start lighter, your ownership will increase as your pipeline matures.

Market Focus

We are specifically seeking a professional who:

• Possesses strong knowledge of the Dutch market (highly preferred, not mandatory).
• Has experience hiring in the UAE / GCC region (strongly desirable), including an understanding of:
• Talent dynamics in the region.
• Freelance/interim hiring models.
• Cross-border hiring complexities.
• Has exposure to or understanding of the UK market.
• Speaks Dutch fluently (highly preferred). English at C1 minimum is required.
• Is based in the Netherlands (preferred) or UAE, or open to relocating to the NL.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment Delivery

• Own end-to-end hiring for Data, AI, Automation, Engineering, and I&D profiles, covering both permanent and freelance/interim roles, from initial intake through to close.
• Manage 5–6 concurrent roles across the Netherlands, UK, and UAE with structure, speed, and uncompromising quality.
• Proactively source candidates via LinkedIn, CRM, talent communities, and events, building pipelines well in advance.
• Provide real market intelligence for every hire, including compensation benchmarking, candidate motivations, and I&D talent dynamics.
• Deliver a premium candidate experience through interview coaching, consistent communication, and a process reflecting Riverflex standards.
• Navigate freelance hiring complexities in the Netherlands, including WetDBA, or demonstrate a strong drive to quickly learn and adapt.

Business Development

• Contribute to commercial negotiations and placement agreements, working towards personal billing targets as your pipeline develops.
• Map and cultivate the Data & AI talent market across NL, UK, and UAE, identifying new opportunities and building key accounts over time.
• Establish and nurture long-term relationships with clients, hiring managers, and C-level stakeholders, positioning yourself as a trusted strategic partner.
• Develop a visible personal brand within the Data & AI ecosystem through thought leadership, events, and market insights, enhancing Riverflex's profile.

Talent Operations & Process Improvement

• Identify inefficiencies and implement AI-native solutions across recruitment workflows, driven by an automation mindset.
• Take ownership of pipeline reporting and metrics, including time-to-hire, conversion rates, and placement data.
• Enhance hiring manager and candidate experience via structured onboarding, clear communication frameworks, and robust feedback loops.
• Contribute to the strategic evolution of Riverflex's Talent & Community unit into a revenue-generating Talent Advisory model.

Who You Are

• Specialist Data & AI Recruiter: Proven track record in placing talent across Data, AI, Automation, Engineering, or Product roles, ideally with experience in agency, embedded, consulting, or founder-led recruitment environments.
• NL Market-Savvy: Strong understanding of Dutch hiring dynamics is highly preferred. Experience across UK markets is valuable; UAE/GCC coverage is a bonus.
• Location: Already based in the Netherlands with 2–3 days per week in our Amsterdam office – or genuinely open to relocation.
• Language: Dutch-speaking highly preferred. English at C1 minimum is required.
• BD-Ready: Possess a commercial mindset and comfort operating in a revenue-driven model. An entrepreneurial or account talent partner background is ideal. If new to BD, a genuine excitement to grow into it is key.
• AI-Fluent: Actively use AI tools across your workflow, understand tool tradeoffs, and can articulate how AI enhances your efficiency.
• Independent Thinker: Offer strategic advice, design processes, and provide solutions, not just execute.
• Structured and Entrepreneurial: Run tight processes without rigidity, take ownership proactively, and bring solutions.

What Riverflex Offers

• A competitive compensation package.
• 25 days off per year, plus a full week off between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible work from abroad for up to 6 weeks annually.
• Pension scheme for future planning.
• Learning & Development budget, including full access to all Udemy courses.
• ClassPass membership.
• Access to the latest tools: ChatGPT Pro, Claude, Notion, Sembly, SlideHub, and Riverflex's in-house developed software.
• Equity share scheme for long-term team members.
• A clear growth path toward leadership or market lead roles within our scaling Talent & Community unit.

Why Join Now?

You will be joining Riverflex at a pivotal moment. We are transforming our Talent & Community unit into a revenue-generating, AI-native Talent Advisory unit, expanding into the UAE, and deepening our Data & AI domain expertise. If you are commercially sharp, market-savvy, and eager to build something impactful across the Netherlands and UAE, this is your chance to shape a market, not merely fill roles.

Key skills/competency

• Data & AI Recruitment
• 360 Recruitment
• Business Development
• Market Intelligence
• Candidate Experience
• Talent Advisory
• Pipeline Management
• Commercial Negotiation
• AI-native Solutions
• Stakeholder Management