The success, rapid growth and change we’re experiencing provide us with plenty of challenges

posted by Caroline Grant
21 July 2014

The Americas Region Talent team helps to attract the right people for the right roles. We also support the development of our people and their performance management to help them reach their full potential. To do this, we need to work closely with our Group Talent colleagues, HR partners and the wider global business, and we’re proud of the great relationships we’ve built with them.

We have successfully managed key projects, including the recent roll out of our global performance management process and capability framework. The regional recruitment team has also worked closely with our technology vendor to develop a full service applicant tracking system and careers site. And we created and developed our learning management portal, Clarks University.

The success, rapid growth and change we’re experiencing provide us with plenty of challenges. We have a portfolio of business critical projects underway, and it’s our job to ensure that we attract top talent and equip people with everything they need to bring their best selves to work every day. The people on the Talent team are paramount to our success. My role as leader is to coach and help them to develop their talents to their fullest potential. It’s up to me to create the environment where they feel motivated and engaged so that they can then support everyone else to succeed and progress.

The fact that when I started working at Clarks it wasn’t in HR speaks volumes about the development opportunities we open up in the company. I began my career here as Director of Customer Service, but I also had a background in training, with lots of experience of hiring and developing talented people too. So when the chance to manage the Talent team evolved, that experience was recognized and I jumped at the opportunity.

I was initially attracted to Clarks by the culture, the people, the mission and the product… and of course the role! That’s what makes me stay here too. I have a very supportive manager and great people around me who genuinely care about what they do and how they do it.

I know I can chart my own career here if I match my strengths to the right role and make an investment in my development. And my work gives me the opportunity to help other people do the same thing with their careers.  In my  8 years at Clarks I’ve taken a workshop which helped me get a good grounding in our leadership principles, I’ve gained certifications in Myers-Briggs and FIRO-B and I’ve taken external programs including Blanchard’s Situational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence (EQ).

It’s not only the role but the culture that makes Clarks special and it’s why we continue to bring great people into the organization. It’s open and welcoming – you know that people care about you and want you to be here. It’s also about integrity and responsibility - you have to show up each day ready to lead with your best and really make a contribution.

Nora - Director, Americas Region HR-Talent Management - Newton (MA), US

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