KRISTEN ALEXANDER
Detroit
Summary
Experienced, results-driven Executive Talent Acquisition professional with a track record in diverse companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 50. Expert in leading C-suite and cross-functional (corporate, R&D, commercial) talent initiatives integrated with succession planning/internal mobility. Reputation as a strategic partner, relationship-builder, and career coach with executive stakeholders and candidates.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Elevate Talent
01.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Independent HR consultancy focused on strategic executive recruiting and talent acquisition, supporting both retained search and corporate in-house teams
- Independent HR consultancy focused on strategic executive recruiting and talent acquisition, supporting both retained search and corporate in-house teams
Senior Director
Ovid Therapeutics
New York
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Company Overview: Early-stage biotech focused in neurology
- Hired to collaborate with executive leadership on talent prioritization and build out scalable recruiting infrastructure
- Led full-cycle recruitment for critical leadership roles including Chief Medical Officer, Commercial Officer, Chief Legal Counsel, VP Corporate Communications, VP Business Development, Head of IT, etc.
- Built and managed a small recruiting team to support growth and organizational scale
- Designed and implemented end-to-end recruitment strategy, operational processes, performance metrics and managed CRM technology selection/implementation
- Partnered cross-functionally with business, scientific, HR and finance leaders to develop and manage annual recruiting budgets
- Conducted strategic assessments of retained and contingent search firms to establish a Preferred Partner program
- Early-stage biotech focused in neurology
Principal Executive Recruiting Partner
Biogen
Cambridge
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Selected to join a small team of Executive Recruiters tasked with direct executive level recruitment and competitive intelligence initiatives
- Conducted strategic mapping of the company's top 50 executive roles; cultivated external relationships with industry leaders to support succession planning
- Oversaw relationships with preferred search firm providers, ensuring alignment with hiring priorities and performance standards
Global Executive Recruiter
Hewlett Packard
New York
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Served as a global leadership team member among 25+ Executive Recruiters, Associates, Operations and Analysts, driving initiatives in strategic talent planning, executive recruitment and competitive intelligence
- Delivered measurable business value through high-quality executive hires, enhanced stakeholder experience (Hiring Managers & Candidates), improved internal mobility, diversity focus, cost management and elevation of HP's leadership brand
Director of Executive Recruiting
The Travelers Companies
Hartford
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Recruited to lead senior level (VP/SVP) hiring and design a scalable strategy to integrate Talent Acquisition Managers into an Executive Recruiting function
- Partnered closely with Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Information Officer to build out high-performing leadership teams
- Spearheaded an Executive Candidate Experience initiative to evaluate each candidate touchpoint, enhancing overall recruitment impact and brand perception
Executive Recruiting Consultant
Alexander Search & Advisory
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Provided independent consulting to The Carlyle Group (former Chicago-based retained search firm) to establish and grow its Life Sciences Practice
- Advised senior client management on strategic workforce planning and organizational gap analysis
- Facilitated comprehensive executive assessments and delivered recommendations to Hiring Managers
Principal
CTPartners
Cambridge
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Consultant (Junior Partner) within a 40+ consultant Life Sciences Practice; maintained offices in Boston and NYC
- Led full lifecycle executive searches for business and technical leadership roles across diverse sectors and global markets
- Drove business development efforts including client acquisition, proposal development, and contract negotiation
Director of Executive Recruiting
Pfizer Inc.
New York
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Partnered with senior leadership to execute full lifecycle recruitment for key leadership roles including Pfizer's first Chief Diversity Officer
- Served on Research & Development Talent Acquisition Leadership team overseeing strategic planning and implementation for a 60+ professional staffing organization, managing 2 direct reports
- Led Pfizer's enterprise-wide Search Firm Management initiative, optimizing vendor contracts
- Acted as interim recruiting leader for the Research & Development's Clinical function
Staffing Manager
Pfizer Inc.
Ann Arbor
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Designed and delivered executive strategic staffing plans to support recruitment of 200+ professionals for a new Research & Development facility
- Responsible for the Pharmaceutical & Safety Sciences divisions across Michigan, New Jersey & Ontario
- Delivered training on candidate assessment and recruiting best practices to hiring managers
- Directly Pfizer's Research & Development University Relations program with the University of Michigan
- Coordinated global scientific industry event planning
Education
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - COMMUNICATIONS
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, INBUSINESS STUDIES -
University of Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
- Collaborative Stakeholder
- Engaged Communicator
- Analytical Thinker
- Problem Solver
- Adept Negotiator
- Candidate-Centric
- Curious/Agile/Resilient
- High Energy
- Growth Mindset
Affiliations
- Executive Search Information Exchange (ESIX) - former Advisory Board Member
- HR New York: Kennedy Publications Executive Search Summit - Guest Speaker
- Development Dimensions International - Targeted Selection Interviewer & Trainer
Professional Development
- Modern Elder Academy - Alumni, The World's First Mid-Life Wisdom School, 2024
- Emotional Agility for Wellbeing at Work, Susan David.com, 2023
- LEAP HR Life Sciences East, Agile Talent Strategies for Fast-Paced Change, Boston, 2023
- Independent Study - Advancements in AI/machine learning within Talent Acquisition arena, Ongoing
<Enter your own>
Title: Executive Search Consultant
Volunteer Experience
Ambassador / Fundraiser / Volunteer, Garrett's Space, Michigan, 2023-01-01, Emerging nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing healthcare gaps for young adults facing acute mental health challenges
References
Available upon request
Hobbies and Interests
- Travel
- Cooking
- Yoga
- Reading/Writing
- Storytelling
Timeline
Principal
Elevate Talent
01.2021 - Current
Senior Director
Ovid Therapeutics
01.2016 - 01.2021
Principal Executive Recruiting Partner
Biogen
01.2015 - 12.2015
Global Executive Recruiter
Hewlett Packard
01.2012 - 01.2015
Director of Executive Recruiting
The Travelers Companies
01.2010 - 01.2011
Executive Recruiting Consultant
Alexander Search & Advisory
01.2008 - 01.2010
Principal
CTPartners
01.2007 - 01.2008
Director of Executive Recruiting
Pfizer Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2006
Staffing Manager
Pfizer Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2003
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - COMMUNICATIONS
Valparaiso University
BUSINESS STUDIES -
University of Chicago
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