Leading from the Middle: The Power of Center-Driven Transformation

For too long, offshore centers were seen primarily as the “back office” places where execution happened, but strategy rarely took shape. That story is changing. And in many ways, it's being rewritten from the heart of Vadodara and Bengaluru. 

As the Global Head of Talent Acquisition for our Staffing business and the Center Head for Collabera’s Global Talent Center (GTC), I’ve had the privilege of witnessing transformation unfold not just in metrics, but in mindset, maturity, and mission. The GTC is no longer just a support function. It is a growth engine. It is where care meets accountability, where culture enhances performance, and where global ambition becomes localized execution. 

Strategy Happens Here

Leading from the center means we are deeply embedded in the business. We don’t just execute we shape, challenge, and optimize. Our recruiters, sales teams, operations, and enablement groups aren’t just connected to outcomes they’re invested in impact. 

Whether it's building pipelines under pressure, launching governance cadences across VMO accounts, or implementing AI-led recruiting intelligence, the GTC operates as a strategic hub not a distant node. Even in volatile moments, the team continues to raise the bar, delivering consistently on SLAs while improving speed, scale, and quality. 

Culture Is Our Competitive Edge 

We earned the Great Place to Work certification not through perks, but by intentionally creating psychological safety, clarity, and shared ownership. When people feel heard, challenged, and valued they don’t just contribute; they lead. 

This transformation is grounded in our values: 

• Care & Make It Better: Every initiative here begins with empathy and ends in improvement. 
• Passion with Purpose: Our teams don’t just work hard they work with clarity and conviction. 
• Responsive Beyond Imagination: Our ability to act with urgency without compromising depth has become a signature. 
• Integrity Above All: We hold the line when it matters most even when it’s inconvenient. 
• Discipline in What Matters: Focus and follow-through define our execution. 

Leadership Is Local and Global 

At the GTC, we’re building leaders at every level. Team leads are empowered to think like business managers. High-potential recruiters are coached to own outcomes. We create space for challenge, not just compliance and that’s what it means to lead from the middle. 

As workforce models evolve and client expectations rise, the GTC strengthens Collabera’s agility enabling faster response times, scalable delivery, and purpose-led growth. 

With a new CEO in place and bold goals ahead, we have an opportunity to double down on clarity, collaboration, and contribution. Because when centers rise not just in delivery, but in influence the entire organization moves forward. 

Let’s keep building what’s next. From the center. With intent.  

About the Author

Associate Vice President – Global Head of TA & Talent Center, Pradeep brings 18 years of unwavering commitment to Collabera. A strategic thinker and inclusive leader, he’s known for building high-impact teams, nurturing future talent, and driving scalable, global hiring solutions that power business growth.