GCCs Aggressively Recruit for LLM and Prompt Engineering Roles
Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India are rapidly transforming their talent strategies, moving beyond traditional back-office roles to prioritize the hiring of highly specialized professionals in Generative AI (GenAI), machine learning, and niche engineering domains.
This significant pivot is driven by the growing trend of parent multinational corporations (MNCs) granting their Indian GCCs “end-to-end ownership” of global functions, according to a detailed report released by Ernst & Young (EY).
The report highlights the fact that Indian GCCs no longer function merely as cost-saving centers.
They are evolving into critical hubs for innovation and intellectual property (IP) creation.
This strategic shift necessitates a workforce capable of leading complex, full-stack projects from inception to execution.
The GenAI Talent Boom in GCCs
The most striking change noted in the EY report is the exponential increase in demand for GenAI-related skills.
As MNCs race to integrate AI into their core products and services, they are relying heavily on their Indian centers.
These centers are tasked with building and deploying these capabilities.
- Niche Hiring Focus: GCCs are actively seeking specialists in areas like prompt engineering, LLM fine-tuning, and applied ML. They are also seeking specialists in robotics. This represents a fundamental change from previous years, where volume-based hiring for standardized IT roles dominated.
- Talent Strategy Overhaul: Companies are not just hiring external talent but are heavily investing in upskilling their existing workforce. The report indicates a significant rise in internal training programs focused on cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and advanced data analytics. The companies designed this training to meet the new mandates of end-to-end ownership.
End-to-End Ownership: The Catalyst for Change
The shift to end-to-end ownership means Indian GCCs are now responsible for entire business processes, product development lifecycles, and even strategic decision-making.
They are no longer just executing tasks delegated by the headquarters.
- Innovation Mandate: This increased accountability has forced GCCs to build senior leadership structures and attract high-calibre talent. This talent is needed to drive innovation and strategic vision.
- Rise of New Roles: New technology integration and complex business solutions roles concentrate the demand for talent. These include digital transformation architects, deep domain specialists (e.g., in fintech or healthcare), and advanced cybersecurity analysts.
- Shift in Mandate: The report underscores that the core mandate of GCCs is shifting from efficiency and cost optimization. It is now focused on value creation and revenue impact.
The EY findings confirm that this dual strategy—acquiring niche external expertise while nurturing internal talent—is crucial for maintaining India’s position as the leading global destination for GCC operations.
This is particularly important as competition from other global hubs intensifies.
The demand for specialized talent will keep compensation highly competitive in these niche fields throughout 2026.
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