At Willow Tree, transparency and trust are central to what we do. For the talented clients and leaders we represent, privacy is a must and is something we take responsibility for. We don't just process data, we navigate sensitive career moves with discretion and care. Think of us less like a traditional agency and more like your personal, strategic partner.
1. Global Scope and Representative
This policy applies to information collected through our website, electronic communications, and in the usual course of our executive search and advisory services.
- EU Representative: Pursuant to Article 27 of the EU GDPR, residents in the EEA may contact our representative at info@willowtreerecruiting.com for any questions related to data processing in the EU.
- Children Under 16: Our services are not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information that allows us to tell your professional story and advocate for your placement:
- Direct Engagement: Information you provide via contact forms or resume uploads, including name, email, and phone.
- The Professional Dossier: Resumes, employment and educational history, professional qualifications, salary expectations, and leadership philosophy.
- The "Discovery" Clause (Passive Candidates): To find the 85% of talent not on job boards, we may collect professional data from public-facing sources (e.g., LinkedIn or industry news). We protect this "discovered" data with the same intensity as a direct application.
- Automated Collection & Cookies: When you visit our site, we may automatically collect technical data such as IP addresses, device type, and interaction data via cookies. This information is used for internal analytics and to improve site relevance. We only process this data if you have opted into cookie sharing.
3. How Your Data is Used and Shared
Your data exists at Willow Tree for the sole purpose of connecting exceptional talent with extraordinary hospitality brands.
- Purpose: To assess suitability for executive roles, verify provided details, and conduct search or assessment assignments.
- No Third-Party Sales: We never sell, rent, or trade your data to marketers or outside databases.
- Consent-First Sharing: We may discuss your background in the abstract with a client, but your identity and full resume are only shared with a specific employer after we have received your express permission.
- Legal/Regulatory: We may share information with law enforcement or government agencies where disclosure is necessary by law or to protect vital interests.
4. Legal Basis for Processing (EEA Residents)
If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), our legal basis for collecting data depends on the context:
- Legitimate Interests: We typically rely on our legitimate interests for search and consulting activities, provided these do not override your fundamental rights.
- Consent: We will obtain explicit consent for processing sensitive personal information (e.g., health or diversity data) where required by law.
5. Your Global Data Rights
Regardless of your location, Willow Tree offers the following protections:
- Right to Access/Correct: You may request to see or update the personal information we hold.
- Right to Deletion: You may request that we purge your professional profile. Note: We may retain minimal data to prevent future contact or preserve legal interests.
- Right to Opt-Out: You may opt-out of marketing communications or "sales" (as defined by CCPA, which includes sharing with prospective employers) at any time.
- California Rights: Residents have the right to know the categories of information collected and the right to non-discrimination for exercising these rights.
6. Security and Retention
- Security: We employ industry-standard encryption and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access or loss.
- Retention: We retain information where there is an ongoing legitimate business need (e.g., to facilitate career-long placement). Our maximum retention period in the absence of such a need is seven (7) years.