Building Data-Driven, ROI-Focused TA Teams: 5 Lessons from 4 Global Cities

Candidates aren't clicking on your carefully curated career site anymore. Instead, they’re asking ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude what it’s really like to work at your company—and the answers might surprise you.

In this episode of Hiring On All Cylinders, host Matt Staney sits down with Duarte Mendonça, Director of Global Talent Systems and Operational Enablement at PayPal, to unpack a massive behavioral shift: the transition from Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to AI Optimization (AIO).

Duarte shares startling data on how LLMs source employer data, why third-party sites like Reddit control 40% of the narrative, and how TA leaders can structurally adjust their infrastructure to fight back.

Efficiency in recruiting isn’t just about working faster; it’s about working smarter by knowing where to let the machines take over and where to double down on human connection.

In this episode, Mary Price, an enterprise talent leader with experience at LinkedIn and Apple, reveals how her teams are leveraging AI to reduce administrative burnout while driving a 32% decrease in attrition through better candidate-to-role matching.

When a company scales from 5,000 to 17,000 employees overnight, the traditional HR playbook doesn't just need an update—it needs a total transformation.

Barbara Gaillard shares how she moved TA from a purely transactional function to a "People as a Product" model that balances rapid execution with deep long-term strategy.

How can corporate talent acquisition teams replicate the high-stakes, "white-glove" service of executive search for every role in an organization?

Join host Matt Staney and Neil Crumpton, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at TransUnion, as they discuss transforming recruitment from a reactive function into a strategic partnership powered by human judgment and AI efficiency.

In this episode, Neil shares his journey from executive recruiting to corporate leadership, revealing how to build high-touch experiences for candidates and hiring managers alike.

The holiday season is here, and we're taking a look back at some of our favorite podcast moments of the year.

We hear from some of the TA leaders who have joined us in 2025: James Lafferty, Manjuri Sinha, James Footman, Jocelyn S. Lai, Lars Schmidt, Kobi Ampoma, Jonathan Beaney, Jamie Edwards, Tracy St. Dic, Jerome Leclerq, Tommy Hansen, Samantha Perlman, Karen Arnold and Anastasia Pshegodskaya.

We've got so many great guests lined up for the podcast next year. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out!

How do you scale from 3,000 to 13,000 employees — and raise the bar on quality while doing it? In this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, host Kathryne Friend (VP of Community, EMEA) speaks with Jonathan Beaney, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Revolut, about how the company built a high-performance hiring engine designed for hyperscale.

Jonathan shares how Revolut developed its own ATS, embedded Quality of Hire as a measurable, operational metric, and built a data-driven model that balances speed, precision, and excellence. Tune in for practical insights on redefining TA efficiency, elevating hiring quality, and designing systems that scale without compromise.

Host Matt Staney, VP Community at HIGHER, sits down with Jennifer Anker Kaufman, VP of Talent Acquisition at Illumio, for a rich, honest conversation about how recruiting becomes a trusted business partner. Jennifer shares her unexpected start as a dolphin trainer, how she built credibility across hyper-growth tech companies, and why she believes in “talent partners,” not “order takers.” They discuss Illumio’s shift to Ashby, how data reshapes executive conversations, and the future of AI and capacity planning in TA. Along the way, Jennifer reveals her NICE framework and the leadership lessons that turn small wins into lasting impact.

In this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, Matt Staney talks to James Lafferty, VP of Global Talent Acquisition and Mobility at Epicor. James shares how he’s built a global TA function that makes 1,200+ hires a year across 32 countries—while staying consistent, human, and adaptable. They discuss what it really takes to lead modern TA: building systems that scale, earning trust across cultures, and finding the right balance between tech and the human touch. Highlights:

• Building a global TA model that works across time zones and teams

• Why recruiters need to be partners, not just process owners

• How AI is changing the role—but not replacing it

• Leading through acquisitions without losing what makes teams great

How do you hire fast without creating long-term problems? In this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, Jerome Leclerq, Global Head of Talent at Wise, shares his playbook for scaling talent teams sustainably — avoiding “talent debt” while still moving at the pace the business demands. Key takeaways include:

• Why short-term fixes create long-term challenges in hiring

• How to balance speed with thoughtful, strategic decision-making

• Using data to improve both quality and efficiency in recruitment

• Designing talent teams that can scale up or down with business demand

• Embedding a “hiring is a team sport” mindset across the business

Whether you’re leading a talent team, managing rapid growth, or rethinking your hiring strategy, this episode offers practical insights on smarter, sustainable scaling.

In this episode, Jamie Edwards—VP Talent & Org Development at Deliveroo and former tech founder—shares how applying product principles to Talent Acquisition can transform hiring. We explore Jamie’s journey from engineer and founder to TA leader, and unpack a practical roadmap for building a user-centric hiring function: one that designs with candidates in mind, redefines success beyond offers, and applies AI only after rethinking the process itself. What you’ll learn:

• How product thinking can reshape recruiting-

• Why hiring should start with candidate research

• Key product maxims for TA (nail it then scale it, don’t automate until it hurts)

• Shifting culture: from “candidates should feel lucky” to “we’re selling them”

• Actionable advice for TA leaders to start small and scale impact

If you’re in Talent Acquisition, HR, or People Ops and want a fresh blueprint for the future of hiring, this conversation is packed with insights you can put into practice today.

In this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, host Matt Staney is joined by Tommy Hansen, Head of Recruiting at Juniper Square, to explore how Talent Acquisition can move from a support function to a true driver of business growth. Tommy shares how his team is embedded directly into Juniper Square’s core operations — from participating in weekly revenue forecasting to earning recognition at the President’s Club. He also breaks down the org design changes, skill-building strategies, and AI readiness plans that are helping his team stay deeply strategic and business-focused. 💡 Topics covered include:

• Embedding recruiting teams into core business functions

• The vision and pillars behind the “Associate Recruiter” role

• Building trust and influence as strategic advisors

• Navigating AI’s risks while leveraging its biggest opportunities

• Actionable advice for TA leaders aiming to align with revenue goals

Whether you’re leading a TA function, managing a recruiting team, or rethinking your talent strategy, this conversation offers a clear blueprint for positioning TA at the heart of the business.

In this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, we’re live from San Francisco with a powerhouse guest: Manjuri Sinha, VP HR and Global Head of GTM Org Success & People Partner at Miro. Together with host Kathryn, Manjuri unpacks what it really means to build a modern, tech-enabled talent function—from rethinking your TA operating model and integrating tools strategically, to enabling recruiter skill growth in an AI-powered future. 💡 Topics covered include:

• Redesigning the TA function around technology—not just layering it on

• Driving genuine adoption of recruiting tools and platforms

• Future-proofing recruiter roles as AI reshapes decision-making

• Maintaining human-centric principles in tech-forward orgs

Whether you’re a TA leader, HR pro, or just passionate about the future of hiring, this conversation is packed with practical insights and bold ideas.

Recorded live in San Francisco at the HIGHER Altitude Summit, this special episode of Hiring on Cylinders brings the summit’s biggest themes to life — from tech-enabled TA and global delivery to AI fluency and what it really takes to be a next-gen TA leader. Hosts Kathryne Friend (VP Community, EMEA @ HIGHER) and Matt Staney (VP Community, USA @ HIGHER) are joined by four world-class TA leaders: James Footman, Recruiting Leader at Wiz Karen Arnold, Global VP of Talent at Automattic Tracy St.Dic, Global Head of Talent at Zapier Anastasia Pshegodskaya, Director of TA at Remote Together, they reflect on how talent leaders are adapting to scale, speed, and complexity — sharing practical insights on distributed hiring, tech implementation, and evolving the role of TA as a true business driver. Missed the summit or want a front-row recap? This episode offers a glimpse into the day’s most impactful conversations and themes.

Inclusive hiring isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the future of building high-performing teams. On this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, Kobi Ampoma, Head of Talent Acquisition at Heineken Netherlands joins Kathryne Friend and shares how he’s rethinking talent strategies across industries — from fashion and tech to FMCG. With two decades of experience at companies like Nike, ASICS, PVH, and Getir, plus his work as a LinkedIn Top Voice and board advisor at OMEK, Kobi brings a fresh, future-focused lens to what inclusive hiring can really look like. From challenging outdated practices to designing practical, scalable solutions, Kobi offers a clear blueprint for talent leaders looking to future-proof their hiring approach.

Duolingo is famous for its TikTok presence — but can it become just as iconic as an employer brand?  On this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, Jocelyn S. Lai, Global Head of Talent Brand at Duolingo, shares how she’s building the Talent Brand function from the ground up with bold ambition. From reporting into Marketing and leading with a lean team, to attracting top-tier tech talent in Pittsburgh and reimagining what “LinkedIn fame” really means, Jocelyn delivers both practical advice and fresh perspective for anyone looking to build a standout talent brand.

Get ready to rev up your end-of-year reflections with the ultimate highlight reel from Hiring on All Cylinders! In this milestone 50th episode, we’re diving into the most impactful conversations of the year—where talent strategy meets innovation, and leadership transforms the future of work.

From mastering quality hires to embracing AI, from authentic leadership to building unstoppable teams, these expert insights will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take your talent game to the next level. Whether you’re a loyal listener or just hopping on board, this episode is the perfect way to close out 2024 and gear up for what’s next.

Join host Chris Abbass and guest Christine Ng, Head of People at Quantum Motion, as they delve into the intricacies of hiring for niche and deep tech talent. In this episode, Christine shares her insights from working with various technical environments, including her current role in quantum computing. She discusses the challenges of sourcing specialized talent, building targeted sourcing strategies, and the importance of authenticity in recruitment. Whether you're in deep tech or interested in the field, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on navigating a competitive talent pool.

Join Chris Abbass, CEO of Talentful, on Hiring on All Cylinders as he sits down with Allison Allen, co-founder at Leadership Rewired and strategic advisor at Texni, to discuss the paradigm shift in Talent Acquisition leadership. Allison shares her insights on how the role of TA Leaders is transforming in response to recent challenges like the Great Resignation, the move towards skills-based hiring, and the integration of AI in recruiting. Discover strategies to future-proof your TA function and demonstrate the true value of TA in driving organizational success.

Join Chris Abbass as he explores the evolving recruitment industry with Dominic Joyce. From the importance of feedback and human-centric methods to the groundbreaking role of AI, we delve deep into modern challenges and solutions in Talent Acquisition. Discover how empathy, transparency, and technology can transform candidate experiences and boost hiring outcomes. Tune in for actionable insights on leveraging AI, improving feedback practices, and achieving a balanced and effective TA strategy.

In this episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, Chris Abbass sits down with Alexa Lane from Placements IO to dive deep into building recruiting operations from the ground up. Alexa shares her personal experience in creating a foundational recruiting framework, partnering with company founders, prioritizing hiring needs, and implementing key tools like ATS systems. We also discuss the critical importance of a streamlined interview process, candidate experience surveys, and leveraging AI to enhance efficiency. Tune in for expert advice on recruiting strategy, managing hiring challenges, and future trends in talent acquisition.

In this episode of 'Hiring at All Cylinders,' Chris Abbass sits down with Jessie Zwaan, COO of Talentful and best-selling author, to delve into the importance of commerciality in talent acquisition leadership. They discuss Jessie's career journey, the significance of financial literacy in TA roles, and how to think and act more commercially. Jessie shares insights on the challenges faced by TA leaders, the impact of strategic goal alignment, and the future of TA in an ever-evolving industry. Tune in for practical tips on becoming a more commercially savvy TA leader.

Quality of hire (QoH) is the metric of the moment – but it’s notoriously difficult to define. In this episode, Chris sits down with Ben Sesser, CEO of BrightHire, to talk about the evolving importance of this metric and explore how businesses can unpack its potential. Ben recommends proven strategies for defining, capturing, and measuring QoH so it can be exploited to support organizational goals. They also discuss how talent intelligence platforms like BrightHire can improve QoH by driving excellence in the hiring process, weeding out fake candidates, and unlocking meaningful, actionable data insights. Tune in and learn how to make “quality over quantity” less of a mantra and more of a strategic MO.

Teams are changing. The notion of a core, centralized workforce is losing ground to a brave new world of contractors, skills mapping, and distributed hiring. In this episode, Chris sits down with Joao Martires, COO of YunoJuno, to dig deep into the trend and explore its implications for teams and talent leaders. Drawing on his first-hand experience, Joao explains how organizations are harnessing flexible talent strategies to drive innovation, improve diversity, and become more adaptable and competitive in an increasingly volatile market. They also discuss how freelancer management technologies like YunoJuno can alleviate anxieties around legal and compliance issues while making the hiring process simpler, faster, and more flexible. Tune in and learn how to keep pace with an evolving talent landscape.

Are leaders doing enough to address the emotional impact of their decisions? In this episode, fractional HR advisor Brian Evje joins Chris to unpack the problem of invisible change. While change is an external force, Brian explains, invisible change is an internal struggle – and if it’s ignored or mismanaged, its aftershocks can damage team dynamics for many months to come. However, by engaging with team members, validating their emotions, and accepting that your role is more about stewardship than solutions, you can bolster team cohesion and ultimately find your voice as an authentic leader. Tune in for a masterclass in change management, ethical leadership, and bringing the invisible into the light.

In this episode, host Chris Abbass is joined by Benji Encz, CEO and co-founder of Ashby, to explore the theme of 'doing more with less' in Talent Acquisition (TA). They discuss trends in TA, the evolution of technology and tools, and how AI and automation are reshaping the hiring landscape. From leveraging historical data and AI to enhance efficiency, to the rise of self-service models in recruitment, Benji shares deep insights and practical advice on driving productivity in today's competitive market. Whether you're a TA leader or simply interested in the future of recruitment, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways. Don't miss out!

In this episode of Hiring in All Cylinders, host Chris Abbas welcomes Jim Turbek, Head of Global Recruiting at Box, for a discussion on the journey to recruiting leadership. Jim shares his rich experience and insights on transitioning into people leadership. The conversation delves into the motivations behind wanting to lead, the importance of responsibility-centric versus reward-centric leadership, and the significance of introspection for aspiring leaders. You will gain invaluable advice on building trust of your team, the pivotal role of reliability and credibility, and the strategic importance of operational rigor. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone considering a move into leadership or aiming to enhance their leadership skills, offering practical tips and motivational guidance for navigating the complex journey of becoming an effective leader.