"The phone call that led me into executive leadership”

For some time, Thalit Promnart had his eyes set on attaining a leadership role in the insurance sector. After fifteen years in the industry, he had climbed his way up to a senior position at one of Thailand’s largest insurance firms, where he led the charge on all things product and marketing. But due to certain organisational dynamics, it was unclear whether it was possible for Thalit to progress further in the company. He felt his career had stalled.

Little did he know that it wouldn’t be long before he would be moving on up again. Just as he began contemplating his goal more intently, a call came from Charatsanan Holasutsakul, Manager at Robert Walters Thailand. She introduced an opening as the Managing Director for a life insurance company, and it seemed perfectly aligned to Thalit’s skills, experience and career goals.

It felt like Charatsanan had carefully analysed my profile and handpicked a role that was designd for my ambitions.

"I have wanted, for a while now, to apply the knowledge I’d amassed in actuarial science and marketing towards the growth of an organisation. For me, that meant stepping into a leadership position within a respected insurance company,” Thalit reflects. “Of course, I said yes to proceeding with the interviews.”

Going after your dream job can be exciting, but it is also natural to feel nervous about the process that lies ahead. Nevertheless, Thalit remembers the process of securing the role as one that was “seamless” thanks to Robert Walters Thailand.

“Charatsanan and team listened carefully to understand what everybody wanted. They made sure that everybody was on the same page. It was obvious they weren’t just matching a person to a job; they were fostering a connection between the candidate and client,” he says. “I felt supported throughout, and their guidance led me to make the right decision.”

The interview process painted a detailed view of what to expect, which Thalit says has been instrumental for a successful transition. This foray into executive leadership has been a real ride, covering all aspects of managing an organisation. From managing shareholders’ expectations to strategic planning and keeping employee morale up, Thalit had finally achieved the role he has always wanted.

All this he traces back to the phone call from Robert Walters Thailand. “Before this, I couldn’t have fathomed how a single call can alter the course of my life and career so profoundly – but now, I can. This has been an incredible new chapter in my career and I’m very happy with the professional growth I’ve reaped so far. I’m grateful for how this opportunity has helped me step out of my comfort zone to embrace a greater challenge.”