Derrick Ikels
La Vernia,TX
Summary
Dynamic team lead focused on enhancing employee satisfaction and driving business success. Known for a diplomatic and approachable demeanor, complemented by a proven commitment to effective employee training and development. Dedicated team player equipped with the experience and expertise to address operational challenges efficiently. Passionate about fostering a collaborative work environment that empowers individuals to excel and contribute to organizational goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Team Lead - Strategic Talent Acquisition
Insight
04.2018 - Current
- Lead a high-performing talent acquisition team and full cycle recruit, supporting business units across the U.S. And Canada, from AI Transformation and Commercial Sales to IT, Client Operations, and Product Management. Have lead searches from entry-level to C-suite, covering both strategic and high-volume roles.
- Spearheaded initiatives to automate recruiting workflows and simplify processes across departments, improving speed, consistency, and scalability.
- Drove modernization efforts that helped evolve our TA function into a more agile, responsive partner to the business.
- Worked closely with senior leaders to align hiring strategies with shifting business priorities, ensuring teams had the talent needed to deliver on transformation goals.
- Built out our AI Factory from the ground up, recruiting top-tier talent across roles like Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, AI Architects, and strategic leadership.
- Led full-cycle hiring for AI-focused positions, combining workforce planning with targeted sourcing to support innovation and long-term growth.
- Coached team members in techniques necessary to complete job tasks.
- Evaluated employee skills and knowledge regularly, training, and mentoring individuals with lagging skills.
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
Talent Acquisition
Sirius Computer Solutions (Acquired by CDW)
10.2015 - 04.2018
- Spearheaded corporate recruiting efforts across diverse departments, including Accounting, Finance, Tax, International Tax, Marketing, Corporate IT, Human Resources, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and technical roles.
- Represented Sirius at college career events to elevate brand awareness, attract top talent, and build lasting relationships with academic institutions.
- Collaborated cross-functionally to shape and develop strategic hiring initiatives aligned with evolving business unit needs.
- Partnered with HR Business Partners, Compensation Analysts, and HR Coordinators to deliver a seamless candidate experience and align recruitment strategies with organizational goals.
- Supported talent acquisition and allocation procedures by facilitating targeted recruitment campaigns.
- Oversaw day-to-day talent acquisition operation and provided guidance on recruiting issues.
Talent Acquisition
AppleOne Employment Services
05.2015 - 09.2015
- Blend hands-on civil engineering knowledge with strategic talent acquisition to recruit top-tier technical professionals.
- Specialize in sourcing and placing candidates across engineering, IT, and infrastructure-related roles.
- Leverage industry insight to align recruitment strategies with project demands and technical requirements.
- Collaborate with hiring managers and technical teams to ensure candidate fit and long-term success.
- Oversaw talent acquisition and internal development of portfolio managers, analysts and traders.
- Developed communication and marketing plan and leveraged talent acquisition tools, resources, and campaigns to source and attract top talent.
Talent Acquisition
Tradestar Staffing
10.2014 - 04.2015
- Specialize in recruiting skilled professionals in commercial construction sectors.
- Source and place candidates in roles in skilled trades.
- Partner with construction firms to understand project timelines, workforce needs, and safety requirements.
- Leverage industry knowledge to match candidates with roles that align with their expertise and certifications.
- Passionate about building strong teams that deliver quality, safety, and efficiency on every job site.
- Directed editorial talent acquisition pipeline to create diverse editorial staff across multiple markets.
- Hired, developed, motivated, and retained top talent.
Talent Acquisition
TEKsystems
02.2013 - 10.2014
- Recruit top-tier candidates across IT and emerging tech roles for leading organizations.
- Partner with high-profile clients to understand hiring needs, team dynamics, and long-term growth strategies.
- Leverage advanced sourcing techniques and market insights to identify and engage elite technical talent.
- Deliver a seamless candidate experience from the first touchpoint to the final offer, ensuring alignment with both client and candidate goals.
- Passionate about connecting innovation-driven companies with the talent that powers their success.
- Worked closely with producers and directors to define casting needs and deliver casting options according to expectations through comprehensive talent binders.
- Coordinated casting sessions by reserving audition space, scheduling talent and spearheading day-of activities.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
The University of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX12.2012
Skills
- Targeted talent sourcing
- Comprehensive talent acquisition
- Workforce planning
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Process improvement
- Financial acumen
- Coaching and mentoring
- Relationship building
- Deadline management
- Key performance indicators
- Workflow management
Accomplishments
Valued Award Teammate x 2 at Insight
Stellar Achievement Award at Sirius Computer Solutions
Foundational Award Winner (top in company) at TEKsystems
The awards above are based on my work and what I am able to bring to the business.
Timeline
Team Lead - Strategic Talent Acquisition
Insight
04.2018 - Current
Talent Acquisition
Sirius Computer Solutions (Acquired by CDW)
10.2015 - 04.2018
Talent Acquisition
AppleOne Employment Services
05.2015 - 09.2015
Talent Acquisition
Tradestar Staffing
10.2014 - 04.2015
Talent Acquisition
TEKsystems
02.2013 - 10.2014
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
The University of Texas At San Antonio