How do you transform an underperforming talent acquisition function into an award-winning engine of efficiency, candidate experience, and innovation, while navigating stakeholders, tech stack overhauls, and the rapid rise of AI? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole sits down with Derek Del Simone, Chief Talent Officer at Abano Healthcare and one of Australia’s top HR and TA leaders. Derek walks through the two-year transformation that turned a reactive talent function into an industry-recognized powerhouse, earning awards for best tech stack, candidate experience, and innovation. He shares how to build trust with senior stakeholders, translate recruiting metrics into business value, advocate for the right technology, and navigate the fast-evolving world of AI with intention.
Takeaways:
Transformation starts with a voice at the table. Derek emphasizes that TA leaders must advocate for their function and position themselves as revenue enablers to drive meaningful change.
ROI only resonates when framed in dollars, not days. Time-to-fill means little to executives unless tied directly to revenue impact, reduced agency spend, or improved retention. Leaders must translate talent metrics into business language.
Adoption is the quiet engine behind tech success. Even the best platforms fail without stakeholder buy-in and team engagement. Bringing people along early ensures long-term transformation sticks.
Curiosity is a leadership skill, not a hobby. Derek dedicates time daily to learning, researching trends, and exploring emerging tools. He believes continuous curiosity is what keeps TA leaders ahead of the market.
Personal balance fuels professional clarity. His first-ever four-week holiday reminded him that leaders must model the boundaries they encourage. Stepping away strengthened his perspective and renewed his energy.
The future of TA is shifting rapidly, and leaders must adapt. From the potential decline of job boards to AI-powered interviewing and automation, Derek sees the next five years as a defining moment for the evolution of talent acquisition.
Quote of the Show:
“ I’m a firm believer that ATS suites could be right for one team, but not for another team. You have to really dive into the right tech stack for yourself.” - Derek Del Simone
Links:
Website: https://abanohealthcare.com/
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