Cielo

Cielo operates as a global provider of talent acquisition and management solutions, specializing in Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). The company was established in 2005 when founder Sue Marks launched Pinstripe, which would later become Cielo. Marks, a serial entrepreneur with prior ventures in the staffing industry, identified an opportunity for a more integrated and strategic approach to recruitment, effectively pioneering the RPO category. Her entrepreneurial drive was inspired by her family's background and a belief that she could deliver recruitment services more effectively than existing providers.

A significant milestone occurred in 2014 when Pinstripe, a U.S.-based firm, merged with UK-based Ochre House and others to form the unified global entity, Cielo. This merger created the largest independent provider of strategic RPO services worldwide. The company's growth has been supported by private equity, including a majority stake acquisition by Permira in 2019. In 2022, Sue Marks transitioned from her CEO role to a position on the board, with long-time executive Marissa Geist assuming the CEO position.

Cielo's business model is centered on providing comprehensive talent acquisition services to clients across various industries, including healthcare, life sciences, financial services, consumer brands, technology, and engineering. The company functions as an embedded partner, adopting the client's brand and culture to manage their entire recruitment process, from sourcing and interviewing to hiring and onboarding. Revenue is generated by providing these outsourced services, which are offered in various models, including enterprise-wide RPO, project-based support, and modular solutions known as TA Optimizers™ that augment a client's existing team. The firm also offers solutions for managing contingent workforces, such as freelancers and independent contractors.

The core service is a technology-enabled RPO solution that aims to improve the quality of hires, increase efficiency, and provide a better experience for candidates and hiring managers. Cielo has developed proprietary technology, including the Cielo TalentCloud platform and, more recently, AI-powered tools like CLO.ai, to streamline recruitment tasks. These digital accelerators automate functions like sourcing and engagement, allowing recruitment professionals to focus on more strategic activities. The company's offerings also extend to consulting services in areas such as talent strategy, employer branding, diversity and inclusion, and HR technology implementation.

Keywords: Recruitment Process Outsourcing, RPO, talent acquisition partner, global talent solutions, Sue Marks, strategic recruitment, contingent workforce management, employer branding, talent consulting, HR technology consulting, high volume RPO, executive search, financial services recruitment, healthcare recruitment, life sciences staffing, technology recruiting, candidate experience, talent analytics, Cielo TalentCloud, digital recruitment accelerators, CLO.ai, TA Optimizers, outsourced recruiting, talent management, workforce solutions, talent pipeline management, recruitment technology