Open to opportunities

Magdalena Szarek

@magdalenaszarek

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HR leader and talent strategist building compliant, efficient people systems.

Poland

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What I'm looking for

I seek a dynamic scale-up that embraces change—where I can improve efficiency, design effective processes, and build a culture of learning through HR systems, compliance, and data-driven recruitment and transformation.

I’m an HR and talent leader known for a hands-on approach, a can-do attitude, and the ability to manage remote, multinational teams while collaborating daily with clients worldwide. I’m tech-savvy, and I focus on implementing systems that enable smart, efficient work.

Most recently, I served as Global Head of HR (APAC, ANZ, EMEA), pioneering and establishing the complete HR function from scratch for a new executive team at Arcanys. I designed and implemented core HR workflows including Pre-boarding, Onboarding, Offboarding, and Performance Management, while ensuring HR operations and contracts complied with legal regulations across Australian, Filipino, Hong Kong, and European entities.

I led HR digital transformation by implementing the TeamTailor ATS and integrating automations to enhance efficiency, and I acted as Product Owner for the internal HR App. I also drove Employer Branding and employee engagement—achieving a 99% result in the Great Place to Work certification—and oversaw large-scale events, including a Year End Party for 300+ people.

Earlier, I led Recruitment, Sourcing, and Vendor Management as a Team Manager (approximately 40 people and c.a. 200 recruitment projects per month), transforming the recruitment area through new job descriptions, KPIs, bonus schemes, and recruitment SLAs. I’ve consistently used OKR planning, KPI definition, and continuous improvement—reducing recruitment costs and cost per placement, implementing ISO 27001 compliance, introducing NPS measurements, and scaling knowledge-sharing across 50+ people.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Global Head of HR

Arcanys

Nov 2024 - Jul 2026 (1 year 8 months)

Built and established the complete HR function from scratch. Designed and implemented core HR workflows (pre-boarding, onboarding, offboarding, and performance management) and led HR digital transformation and employer branding initiatives.

HR Strategy Onboarding Offboarding Performance Management HR Digital Transformation Teamtailor ATS Product Ownership Employer Branding Employee Engagement OKRs HR Compliance Events Workflow Management

Head of HR Recruitment

RITS

Dec 2022 - Dec 2024 (2 years)

Led recruitment, sourcing, and vendor management teams and drove HR transformation initiatives. Implemented recruitment processes and business-process changes, including recruitment billing, SLAs, ISO 27001 compliance, and candidate NPS improvements.

Recruitment Leadership Sourcing Vendor Management ISO 27001

Sourcing Leader

RITS

Mar 2021 - Dec 2022 (1 year 9 months)

Managed worldwide recruitment activities and coordinated with hiring managers and recruitment agencies. Supported smooth onboarding by collaborating with HR teams across countries.

Direct Sourcing Recruitment Takeover Recruitment coordination Onboarding coordination Requirements Gathering

International Business Unit Lead

Talent Place

Oct 2020 - Dec 2022 (2 years 2 months)

Managed multinational delivery teams across recruitment-related functions (recruiters, sourcers, RPOs, and CSMs). Planned OKRs and business strategy, improved recruitment conversion rates, and supported product and talent-program initiatives including Talent App and Talent Master Academy.

OKRs Strategy Budgeting Key Account Management Upselling Customer Scoring Product Management Talent Pooling

Head of Recruitment

Prime Force Group

Mar 2019 - Feb 2021 (1 year 11 months)

Built and developed the recruitment department and implemented required HR policies, processes, and best practices. Recruited partners, vendors, and clients to support business growth.

Recruitment Department Setup

Senior International Talent Acquisition

Stanley Black and Decker

Mar 2018 - Sep 2018 (6 months)

Handled worldwide recruitment for multiple functions, focusing primarily on C-level and technical roles. Managed the end-to-end recruitment process by aligning role requirements with hiring managers and coordinating recruitment activities.

Hiring Manager Collaboration Direct Sourcing Recruitment coordination

Recruitment Manager

McFarlane Kynn

Mar 2016 - Feb 2018 (1 year 11 months)

Set up and managed a recruitment agency within a group of companies. Created the agency strategy, led a team of recruiters, ensured legal compliance, and implemented ATS and CRM systems for internal and external clients.

Business Strategy Team Leadership Legal Compliance Business Development Account Management ATS CRM High Volume Hiring

HR Consultant and HR Project Manager

Client BPO International

Jan 2015 - Feb 2016 (1 year 1 month)

Managed recruitment for back-office roles and implemented HR processes to support high-growth operations. Led HR-related transformation work including HR ticketing in Jira and employee-file digitization.

Recruitment HR Processes Jira Learning and Development Team Management Project Tracking

Interim HR Manager

Emerson Power and Water Solutions

Dec 2013 - Jan 2015 (1 year 1 month)

Covered HR management during maternity leave and owned core HR processes including performance appraisals, salary increases, and FTE planning. Led end-to-end recruitment for managerial roles and supported HR business partnering and payroll management.

Payroll Management HR Business Partnering HR Operations Stakeholder Management Development Program Hiring

CEE Junior Case and Appeal Manager

IBM

Jul 2012 - Nov 2013 (1 year 4 months)

Managed open-door complaints across Europe, handling complex employee relations cases including harassment and disputes. Provided HR legal advisory and prepared legal documents such as contract terminations and responses to official letters.

Employee Relations Case Management HR Legal Advisory Legal Document Preparation Contract Termination

HR Specialist

IBM

Nov 2010 - Jun 2012 (1 year 7 months)

Worked as an HR Specialist at IBM.

Office Manager

Fenix Group

Sep 2008 - Oct 2010 (2 years 1 month)

Worked as an Office Manager at Fenix Group.

IT Business Unit Lead

Talent Place

Owned employer branding and university collaboration and supported development program hiring. Led system/tool selection and integration efforts across ATS, CRM, payroll, ticketing, and accounting, including ATS–CRM–billing integration design.