Mignon ILtchenko

Talent Acquisition leader with 15 years of experience and a track record of delivering measurable hiring outcomes for technology businesses. Sustained a 95% placement success rate across more than a decade of technical and commercial recruitment, and named Recruiter of the Year twice for delivery quality and candidate experience. Founded and scaled two recruitment operations from the ground up, including a specialist technology talent consultancy serving Dassault Systèmes, Varonis, iOCO and MicroStrategy.

Combines deep technical recruitment expertise (software engineering, cloud, cybersecurity, DevOps, ERP) with commercial acumen from business ownership and client relationship management, bringing both hands-on delivery and a strategic, data-informed approach to building teams that drive business outcomes.

Founder & Talent Acquisition Lead at Satisfaction Ninja (Pty) Ltd t/a Satisfaction Recruitment (Pty) Ltd (2019-02 – Present)

Founded and built a specialist technology recruitment and talent consulting business supporting startups, software vendors, ICT service providers and enterprise organisations across South Africa. Personally lead all recruitment delivery, client engagement and talent strategy while managing business operations and key stakeholder relationships.

• Maintained a 95% placement success rate while reducing average time-to-fill through structured sourcing and screening methodologies.
• Delivered talent solutions for organisations including Dassault Systèmes, Varonis, iOCO and MicroStrategy, across software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud, DevOps, ERP and technology sales disciplines.
• Developed proprietary Talent Architecture and Talent Debt frameworks to help clients identify hiring risks and capability gaps.
• Built and maintained extensive passive talent networks through direct headhunting, relationship management and proactive sourcing methodologies.
• Supported clients with workforce growth initiatives through talent mapping, pipeline development, market intelligence and hiring strategy consultation.
• Embedded within client organisations to support internal talent acquisition functions and accelerate critical hiring projects.
• Managed contractor and staff augmentation engagements, including onboarding coordination, contract administration and ongoing engagement management.

Director – Specialist Talent Acquisition & Headhunting at Shirley Jackson Recruitment (Pty) Ltd (2015-09 – 2019-01)

Led recruitment delivery across specialised technical and professional services roles, managing complex search assignments and developing scalable hiring processes.

• Recruited highly specialised talent across Java,.NET, React, Python, C#, Oracle, Linux, UX, Scrum Master and Project Management disciplines.
• Designed competency-based screening frameworks that were adopted across the wider recruitment team.
• Built scalable sourcing methodologies using LinkedIn Recruiter, professional networks, market mapping and direct headhunting.
• Conducted talent market research and competitor mapping to support client hiring strategies.
• Consistently delivered successful outcomes on difficult-to-fill technical vacancies.

Senior Specialist Recruiter – IT Sales & Technical at Emerge IT Recruitment Specialists (2011-09 – 2015-08)

• Awarded Recruiter of the Year on two occasions for outstanding placement quality, candidate experience and delivery performance.
• Recruited technical and commercial professionals across software, ERP and technology sales markets.
• Managed the full recruitment lifecycle from sourcing through offer negotiation and placement.

New Business Development Manager at Qwix Technologies (2010-01 – 2011-03)

• Developed new business opportunities within the software solutions market.
• Built and maintained relationships with executive decision-makers across multiple industries.
• Developed a strong understanding of technology organisations, buying cycles and workforce requirements.

New Business Development / Account Executive at Dial a Nerd (2007-03 – 2009-12)

• Acquired and managed IT support services accounts.
• Consistently exceeded lead generation and client retention targets.

Google Data Analytics Certification in Data Analytics – Coursera (2025 – 2026)

LinkedIn Recruitment Training in Recruitment – LinkedIn Learning (2021)

The Wealthy Marketer Training in Marketing – Harv Eker (2022)

Media Management Certificate in Media Management – AAA School of Advertising (2003)

Matric (Grade 12) – Bedfordview High School (1994)