Zaid Merchant

Operations Associate

Hyderabad, Telangana, India3 yrs 9 mos experience

Most Likely To Switch

Key Highlights

Fast track promotion in 18 months at D E Shaw.
First in cohort to clear review for ML role.
Awarded 'Youngest Genius' for client growth contributions.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a skilled recruiter and strategist in the tech industry.

Contact

zaid.merchant@deshawresearch.com LinkedIn

Skills

Core Skills

RecruitingHr StrategyTechnical RecruitingTalent AcquisitionBusiness StrategyCorporate Communications

Other Skills

Talent IdentificationRecruitmentCross-functional CommunicationMarket ResearchReportingLinkedIn RecruiterData ManagementProcess ImprovementStakeholder CommunicationEvent ManagementStakeholder EngagementContent WritingDigital CommunicationPRSocial Media Management

About

As an Analyst at D E Shaw Research, I lead talent identification projects, sourcing & recruitment; cross-functional communication with technical team members & the strategic growth team based in NY; market research & reporting for chemistry, software, hardware & non-technical domains; advertising; and daily operational tasks. The sections of my profile contain all relevant information, and I'm always open to chat! My email is zaiddmerchant@gmail.com

Experience

3 yrs 9 mos

Total Experience

1 yr 10 mos

Average Tenure

2 yrs

Current Experience

The d. e. shaw group

2 roles

Analyst - Operations & Recruitment

Dec 2025 – Present · 6 mos

Fast track promotion in 18 months. Leading events & recruitment strategy, building long & short-term pipelines, managing HCOps for D E Shaw Research (New York).

Talent IdentificationRecruitmentCross-functional CommunicationMarket ResearchReportingRecruiting+1

Associate - Operations & Recruitment

Jun 2024 – Dec 2025 · 1 yr 6 mos

Talent Acquisition Excellence: Sourced niche technical talent (ML, DevOps, InfoSec, Data roles) and became the first of cohort to clear review for the firm’s highest-priority ML role, sustaining top-performer status.
Leadership Milestones: First in cohort promoted to Project Lead for ML Region-Specific, a strategic initiative to attract global ML talent by hosting events, building awareness, and identifying key outreach partners.
Innovation & Process Improvements: Designed and implemented 10+ process improvements for data storage and candidacy management within four days of leading my first task.
Suggested improvements to interview scheduling workflows to streamline access for hiring managers and senior TA leaders.
Communication & Branding: First of cohort to present updates directly to the stakeholders in New York.
Owned external-facing candidate communication and crafted messaging for DESRES outreach.
HR Operations: Managed candidacy workflows, applicant documentation, and candidate data accuracy across multiple pipelines, ensuring compliance and high-quality reporting for hiring managers and leadership.

Technical RecruitingLinkedIn RecruiterData ManagementProcess ImprovementStakeholder CommunicationTalent Acquisition

Crystal logic pvt ltd.

Account Manager & Strategist

Nov 2021 – Aug 2023 · 1 yr 9 mos · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Career Progression: Started as a Content Writer, quickly advanced to Business Strategist working directly with the Head of Department.
Recruitment & People Operations:
Improved hiring practices through AI-enhanced job descriptions, LinkedIn postings, and structured candidate assessments.
Managed onboarding, training, and early career development of new hires.
Pioneered a cost-efficient expansion model by hiring college students with strong branding skills, enhancing innovation while maintaining quality.
Content & Branding:
Produced digital communication for 12+ clients (social, SEO, campaigns, paid ads) with a focus on the education industry.
Recognition: Awarded the “Youngest Genius” Award for contributions to client growth and internal strategy.

Content WritingBusiness StrategyRecruitmentDigital CommunicationRecruiting

Tip and toe nail art pvt. ltd.

PR and Social Media Associate

Jul 2021 – Sep 2021 · 2 mos · India

Handled PR and other Media/Internet related affairs for all the divisions within the company (Tip & Toe The Nail Salon, T&T Professional and T&T Institute) which included content creation & rectification, campaign management, management of brand image, reachability and more.

PRSocial Media ManagementContent CreationCorporate Communications