7 Questions with our Product Lead: Nick Sebastian
17th Dec 2024
Nick Sebastian brings over a decade of experience and now leads Pivotal's Product Recruitment desk. In this Q&A, he answers questions on why product recruitment is rewarding, trends and challenges in product hiring for 2025, and more. If you work in product or hire product professionals, read on!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in product recruitment?
Product recruitment felt like a really natural fit. I initially got into recruitment because I’m ambitious and a people person - those traits naturally led me here. Before moving into product recruitment I worked in software recruitment, which helped build up my technical understanding.
Over time, I discovered my "why": the impact I can make by connecting great talent with the right opportunities.
2. What do you find most rewarding about connecting product professionals with the right opportunities?
It might sound grandiose, but the ability to change lives in small but meaningful ways is incredibly rewarding. When we talk about work-life balance, it’s not just a buzzword - it's giving candidates more time with their families or improving their mental health. Seeing the real-world impact of a career change makes this job so fulfilling.
3. What principles guide your approach to product recruitment?
Transparency is key. I see my role as a mirror, reflecting the market back to clients and candidates. It’s about equipping them with accurate information so they can make the best decisions.
Another cornerstone is community. Product is inherently social, and I’ve built a network where people share insights, learn from one another, and grow collectively.
4. Can you share a memorable moment from your career that highlights your expertise in product recruitment?
One story that stands out for me is helping a multilingual content writer transition into product. She had a knack for identifying issues with the products she worked on, and I could see she had the mindset of a great product professional.
Encouraging her to explore a product role paid off, and now she’s thriving in her new career. It’s not just about established talent from established companies, it’s also about spotting the next crop of product talent.
5. What trends or challenges do you see shaping product recruitment in 2025, and how are you addressing them?
AI is on everyone’s lips now - clients and candidates alike are focused on it. My approach is to immerse myself in the space, engage with clients, and pinpoint the most relevant developments.
Another challenge is the increasing overlap between product teams and other commercial teams. Helping product professionals align closer to overall business outcomes will be crucial.
6. If you could offer one piece of advice to companies hiring product talent, what would it be?
Be proactive and think outside the box. Identify behaviours and thought processes that will make someone a great product manager in the future.
In addition, invest in people - it pays dividends in the long run.
7. What types of roles are you focusing on, and how can clients and candidates connect with you?
I recruit across all product roles, from Product Managers to Chief Product Officers. At Pivotal, we’re sector-agnostic, working with a diverse range of clients. We’ve built a strong reputation partnering with VC/PE-backed businesses to accelerate their growth with top product and marketing talent.
You can reach me at:
📧 Email: nick@pivotallondon.co.uk
📱 Phone: 07386973598
Alternatively, you can reach out to us with a hiring request, and we'll be happy to assist.
