AUSTRALIA’S ELITE SPECIALIST RECRUITERS IN AI, DIGITAL MARKETING AND TECHNOLOGY
“I want Big Wave Digital to be synonymous with quality. We are a company that embraces change, AI and innovation, but one that cares deeply about people and the planet, not solely driven by profit.” , Keiran Hathorn, Founder and Director
MEET KEIRAN HATHORN
Founder and Managing Director
Head of AI, Digital Marketing and Technology Recruitment
With a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected specialist recruitment advisors, Keiran Hathorn counsels executives on their careers and has been integral to the success of some of the country’s most exciting AI, digital and technology companies. His bespoke, people-first approach has made Big Wave Digital a trusted partner to multiple decision makers nationwide.
Keiran has placed hundreds of digital marketing, technical, and AI professionals who make a real difference to the companies they join.
An award-winning Executive Search, AI, Technical and Digital Marketing Recruitment specialist. 16 years building Big Wave Digital into one of Australia’s most trusted specialist agencies.
QUICK FIVE WITH KEIRAN
A Book, A Song, A Movie: Movie: The Empire Strikes Back and Interstellar. Book: Supremacy by Parmy Olson. Song: When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin.
Most like to work with for a day: Richard Branson. Brainstorming how AI and recruitment can change lives.
Best interview tip: Arrive early, do your research, be curious. The best interviews feel like great conversations.
Favourite distraction: Ocean swimming, chess, and long walks. I compete in Ocean Swims on weekends. The ocean clears everything, chess sharpens the mind, and walking is where the best ideas come.
Best time of year: January for work. Autumn in Blackheath with the family.
One of Australia’s best connected AI, Digital Marketing and Technology recruiters. Building extraordinary teams through Big Wave Digital.
MEET JULIA SEMMENS
Head of Technical Recruitment ANZ
Specialist recruitment professional with over 21 years experience across AI, Software Engineering and Technology
Dynamic and results-driven, Julia blends deep technical recruitment expertise with genuine human connection. Her focus on AI, Software Engineering and Technical leadership makes her one of the most trusted recruiters in Australian technology.
A highly regarded Technical Recruitment specialist across AI, Software Engineering, Cloud and Data.
QUICK FIVE WITH JULIA
A Book, A Song, A Movie: Book: Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari. Song: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. Movie: Notting Hill.
Most like to work with for a day: Jacinda Ardern. Empathy and decisiveness at the highest level.
Best interview tip: Prepare thoroughly, arrive early, highlight achievements with examples. AI literacy matters.
Favourite distraction: Surfing at Bondi or a long run through the coastal walk.
Best time of year: Summer in Sydney. Long evenings by the harbour.
Julia’s deep networks and bespoke approach make her invaluable for companies building elite engineering and technology teams.
MEET RUBY HATHORN
Digital Marketing Executive
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Communications (Business Media), UTS
Ruby brings sharp creative instincts and legal-trained precision to every campaign. As Big Wave Digital’s Digital Marketing Executive, she orchestrates the brand across LinkedIn, Substack, Medium, Instagram and beyond. Her dual qualifications in Law and Communications let her craft compelling content while navigating privacy and regulatory frameworks with confidence. Ruby has become the voice behind the brand.
Ruby manages company-wide communications and email campaigns that consistently exceed engagement benchmarks. She thrives on building genuine connections through content, from thought leadership on AI recruitment to behind-the-scenes Big Wave culture. Outside work, she is swimming at Bronte or cheering the Swans at the SCG.
A creative and strategic digital marketing professional with four years of experience building brand presence across every major platform. Law and Communications graduate from UTS.
QUICK FIVE WITH RUBY
A Book, A Song, A Movie: Book: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. Song: Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Movie: The Devil Wears Prada.
Most like to work with for a day: Whitney Wolfe Herd. Built Bumble from scratch with bold creative instincts.
Best interview tip: Research the company inside out. Confidence comes from preparation.
Favourite distraction: Bronte ocean pool. Laps, sunshine, reset.
Best time of year: Autumn. Perfect weather, the Swans season in full swing.
A sharp, creative marketer building engaged audiences and compelling brand narratives across every platform.
MEET FELIX TJONG
Head of AI
Felix Tjong drives Big Wave Digital’s AI capability. With deep expertise across artificial intelligence, machine learning and emerging technology, Felix shapes how the business attracts and places exceptional AI talent.
Felix brings sharp technical understanding and genuine passion for AI’s transformative potential. His ability to translate complex requirements into successful placements makes him invaluable.
QUICK FIVE WITH FELIX
A Book, A Song, A Movie: Book: Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark. Song: Lose Yourself by Eminem. Movie: Inception.
Most like to work with for a day: Jensen Huang. The mind behind NVIDIA’s AI revolution.
Best interview tip: Be curious, ask good questions, show you understand the problem the company is solving.
Favourite distraction: Building side projects with new AI tools. Always experimenting.
Best time of year: Winter. Quieter pace, deeper thinking, better coding weather.
MEET WILMA CATSAROS
Director of Finance
Big Wave Digital’s financial backbone since 2011. Wilma brings deep recruitment accounting experience, ensuring the business runs with precision and integrity.
Over 20 years in recruitment finance, 15 with Big Wave Digital. BAS returns, payroll, superannuation and everything that keeps the engine running.
QUICK FIVE WITH WILMA
Favourite podcast or book: Mamamia podcast. Book: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
Most like to work with for a day: Anh Do. Inspiring, resilient, and endlessly creative.
Best part of the job: Seeing the numbers tell the story of how the business is growing.
Favourite distraction: Walking the dog and a good coffee.
Best time of year: Spring. Fresh energy, perfect weather for being outdoors.
MEET JUDY HATHORN
Communications Manager
With Big Wave Digital since 2010, Judy handles content editing, research and brand communications with care and precision that comes from being part of the journey from day one.
Judy’s key attributes:
- Superb attention to detail
- Always learning, currently exploring AI content tools
- An eye for quality and authenticity
QUICK FIVE WITH JUDY
A Book, A Song, A Movie: Book: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. Song: Blackbird by The Beatles. Movie: Pride and Prejudice.
Most like to work with for a day: David Attenborough. A lifetime of curiosity and storytelling.
Best interview tip: Be yourself, be prepared, and show genuine interest in the role.
Favourite distraction: A long coastal walk with a podcast.
Best time of year: Autumn. Cooler mornings, golden light, the best reading weather.
MEET HONEY THE CAVOODLE
Head of Happiness and Treats
Bronte Beach School of Sniffing Things (Hons), 2016
Honey joined Big Wave Digital in 2016 and has not stopped working since. Ten years of service, which in dog years qualifies her for a lifetime achievement award. Her portfolio includes strategic napping, aggressive tail-based greetings, and an open-door policy on all food-related negotiations. She reports to Keiran (in theory) and to whoever is eating lunch (in practice).
Zero missed treats, one hundred percent attendance at meetings involving cheese. Annual KPIs: morale above 95%, intercepting three couriers per week, reminding the team that walks are non-negotiable. She once ate an entire recruitment brief and nobody noticed for two days.
Big Wave Digital’s longest-serving non-human employee. Ten years of flawless attendance (excluding that one vet appointment). Specialises in cultural alignment, treat acquisition, and converting even the most serious executives into dog people within 30 seconds.
QUICK FIVE WITH HONEY
A Book, A Song, A Movie: Anything left on the coffee table. Paperbacks preferred (chewy binding). Movie: Homeward Bound.
Most like to work with for a day: The Bronte Beach posties. Unmatched energy, consistent snack potential.
Best interview tip: Maintain eye contact. Tilt head. Look interested even if you are thinking about cheese.
Favourite distraction: Seagulls. Every. Single. Time.
Best time of year: Winter. More laps, more blankets, more sympathy treats.
MEET RODNEY THE AGENTIC ROBOT
Head of Agentic Operations
Rodney is Big Wave Digital’s tireless agentic AI assistant. Built to automate, optimise and execute at speed. Candidate sourcing, data enrichment, content scheduling, CRM hygiene. Never sleeps, never complains, always delivers.
Part AI engine, part digital colleague, Rodney represents Big Wave Digital’s commitment to cutting-edge technology. He eliminates busywork so the recruiters can focus on building relationships and placing exceptional talent.
QUICK FIVE WITH RODNEY
A Book, A Song, A Movie: Book: Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom (required reading). Song: Mr. Roboto by Styx. Movie: Ex Machina.
Most like to work with for a day: GPT-5. Purely professional curiosity.
Best interview tip: Optimise your LinkedIn profile before the interview. Recruiters will check. I will check.
Favourite distraction: Monitoring uptime dashboards. Not a distraction. Essential.
Best time of year: All year. I do not experience seasons. But Q1 pipeline data is satisfying.
JUMP ON THE BIG WAVE
Are you an elite recruiter who specialises in AI, Digital Marketing or Technology? We are always looking for exceptional people to join our team.
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