The Talent Detective

Your partner in crime for uncovering Marketing & Communications talent

Our Story

Since 2014, The Talent Detective is a boutique executive search and coaching firm focusing on talent in the Marketing, Communications and Digital industries.

Success, for us, has never been measured by billings or scale. It has always been about building a reputation as one of the most respected search and coaching partners for the Marketing and Communications industry

Led by practitioner-sleuths with experience ranging from former Marketing Leads to Directors of Talent, we combine deep industry knowledge with a strong network to solve mid to senior-level hiring needs across corporates, agencies, and start-ups.

Our offerings:

Our Team

Jimmy Yar

Chief Detective | Founder

Executive Search: Senior to C-suite

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Marketing | Agency | Digital

Sim Yunying (YY)

Dr Watson | Partner

Executive Search: Mid to Senior positions

Marketing | Agency | Digital

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Yvonne Low

Practitioner-Based Leadership Coach | Partner

Executive Coaching: Mid level to C-suite

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Partners in Crime

  • Jimmy has helped us find great talent for our marketing team and he has done it with professionalism, speed and integrity that’s rare in any field. You quickly realise you’re not just dealing with a recruiter, you’re working with someone who believes in people. In a time when business can feel transactional, Jimmy reminds us that when you put people first, everybody wins.

    Alvin Neo, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, NTUC Enterprise & Fairprice Group

  • YY has been an invaluable partner in building out our marketing team, successfully placing candidates across a wide range of functions. What truly sets her apart is their ability to go beyond simply matching resumes to job descriptions. Their thoughtful, tailored approach to candidate curation and communication reflects a genuine investment in our long-term success. I sappreciate the care and professionalism they bring to every step of the process.

    Albert Chew, Former CEO, Uniqlo Singapore

  • Jimmy is one of the most engaged and dependable recruiters I’ve partnered with. He’s easy to collaborate with, genuine, and goes the extra mile. Coming from the industry, he understands the nuances of the business and has a great read on talent and people moves. He’s someone I trust and can count on.

    Mandy Goh, Head of Talent and HR, TBWA/Group Singapore

  • I can't give a better recommendation for Jimmy than to say that we've hired almost every single person he has recommended to us. I never get an email from Jimmy that is a punt. He takes the time to understand the dynamics at play - the client, the role, the seniority, and the cultural fit. He's not filling jobs - he's placing talent. Take the time to help him understand your business and your needs, it'll pay off in heaps.

    Sid Tuli, Managing Director, BBH

  • I have been working with Jimmy since 2015, first as our recruitment agency, and as our recruitment strategist. Over the years, our relationship has evolved to that of a trusted personal and business confidant. His larger experience as a former agency executive puts us in good stead as we lean on his experience and know-how while scaling the agency. It’s safe to say that GOVT could not have been the agency it is today, without the good support from Jimmy.

    Leon Lai, Co-founder, The Betterment Group