Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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Elena Kulikova

Elena Kulikova

Abu Dhabi

Summary

Experienced Executive Search Recruiter with 10+ years of global hiring success across fintech, tech, and regulated markets. I specialize in building high-performing teams from scratch, with deep expertise in ADGM and DIFC compliance, C-level hiring, and UAE talent strategy. Proven track record in launching new offices, leading Talent Acquisition and C&B functions, and driving hiring excellence across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Global Executive Search Recruiter

Freedom Holding (Fintech)
03.2023 - Current
  • Led strategic executive search across regulated sectors, securing C-level & managerial talent critical for ADGM/DIFC license approvals.
  • Acted as a fractional HR Manager, enhancing onboarding and policy alignment to support compliance and company culture.
  • Owned and led Talent Acquisition locally—optimizing recruiter workflows, candidate experience, and UAE hiring strategies.
  • Partnered with Legal and Compliance to align recruitment with ADGM/DIFC and local labor laws.
  • Advised leadership on talent strategy, org design, and succession planning to enable scalable growth.
  • Handled high-level confidential searches with utmost discretion and professionalism.
  • Improved onboarding satisfaction by 40% by developing and rolling out 10 new internal policies and communication protocols.
  • Built and scaled recruitment operations from scratch, implementing structure, process, and leadership rhythm to drive consistency across global hiring efforts.

Global Executive Search Recruiter

Dyninno (IT, Fintech, Entertainment)
09.2022 - 03.2023
  • Directed global executive and SME searches, adeptly navigating diverse cultural landscapes across the Middle East, Americas, Europe, and Asia.
  • Developed and nurtured a network of high-caliber professionals, allowing quick access to top talent and reducing time-to-hire by up to 30%.
  • Leveraged recruitment data and performance metrics to drive better decision-making, reducing hiring costs by 15% while elevating hire quality.
  • Expertise in conducting discreet and confidential searches for sensitive, high-level positions globally.
  • Designed and implemented executive onboarding programs that increased retention by 25%, accelerating integration and long-term success.
  • Led high-impact recruitment strategies that attracted top talent, resulting in a 30% increase in the quality of hires.
  • Partnered closely with C-suite and senior leadership as a trusted advisor on succession planning, talent strategy, and leadership development.

Senior Talent Marketing Manager

Peak (IT)
08.2020 - 08.2022
  • Led the establishment of an office in Dubai, overseeing the entire hiring process while ensuring full compliance with local regulations.
  • Trained hiring managers on best interview practices across global markets, resulting in a 13% decrease in time-to-fill and a 17% reduction in cost-per-hire.
  • Revamped job descriptions by incorporating high-impact keywords and refining requirements, leading to a 40% increase in qualified candidates within 3 months.
  • Optimized recruitment workflows, achieving 25% greater efficiency and a 15% improvement in candidate conversion rates, tailored to international market needs.
  • Built strategic relationships with hiring managers and stakeholders to align talent acquisition with business goals, ensuring both cultural and regulatory compliance on a global scale.
  • Strengthened employer branding across digital platforms, driving a 25% increase in candidate engagement and a 15% boost in social media interactions through data-driven content strategies.

Senior Manager Talent Acquisition

Tata Consultancy Services (IT)
06.2016 - 08.2020
  • Led a company-wide employer branding transformation, significantly enhancing visibility and engagement with top-tier talent across India and the UK.
  • Directed cross-functional teams to revamp corporate culture and engagement initiatives, resulting in a 30% increase in employee satisfaction and a 2x return on HR investment.
  • Designed and launched targeted recruitment campaigns across LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed, increasing applicant volume by 25% and reducing time-to-hire by 15%.
  • Implemented a structured candidate evaluation framework, improving hiring accuracy and cultural fit by 25%.
  • Built and maintained strategic talent pipelines, enabling consistent engagement with top candidates and achieving a 30% reduction in time-to-hire.
  • Provided hands-on leadership to recruiting, branding, and HR teams, aligning efforts across departments to drive performance, scalability, and long-term hiring success.

HR Generalist

National Research University Higher School of Economics
01.2014 - 05.2016
  • Managed core HR functions such as recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and benefits administration.

Education

Master of Psychology -

National Research University Higher School of Economics
Moscow
01.2016

Bachelor of Philosophy - undefined

National Research University Higher School of Economics
01.2014

Skills

  • SAP SuccessFactors
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Organizational Design
  • Employer Branding
  • Recruitment Metrics
  • Executive Search
  • Candidate Experience
  • Onboarding
  • Relationship Building
  • Leadership
  • Confidentiality
  • Strategy development

Languages

English - Native
Russian - Native
Armenian - Native
French - Proficient
Hindi - Proficient
Arabic - Beginner

Timeline

Global Executive Search Recruiter

Freedom Holding (Fintech)
03.2023 - Current

Global Executive Search Recruiter

Dyninno (IT, Fintech, Entertainment)
09.2022 - 03.2023

Senior Talent Marketing Manager

Peak (IT)
08.2020 - 08.2022

Senior Manager Talent Acquisition

Tata Consultancy Services (IT)
06.2016 - 08.2020

HR Generalist

National Research University Higher School of Economics
01.2014 - 05.2016

Bachelor of Philosophy - undefined

National Research University Higher School of Economics

Master of Psychology -

National Research University Higher School of Economics

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Elena Kulikova