Sarena Ackley Wright has over 15 years of experience in talent acquisition and recruitment. She has held senior level positions at several large companies, leading recruitment teams and global talent strategy. She specializes in non-traditional recruitment practices and developing talent pipelines.

1. Sarena Ackley Wright
Dublin, CA
sarenamarne@yahoo.com
925-963-7568
Summary
I have been pushing the boundaries of each aspect of full-cycle recruitment for over 15 years. With a passion for
breaking out of traditional Talent Acquisition practices and a background that includes training, workforce planning,
and organizational development, it's been my job to successfully coach Talent Acquisition teams to constantly evolve
and collectively push the envelope of non-traditional talent attraction and recruitment.
Specialties
• Provide direction and consultation to the executive and senior management on strategic and emerging staffing
trends.
• Expert at building sourcing and recruitment teams
• Frequently asked to speak and participate in Global Human Resources and Talent conferences and panels
• Initiate and implement recruiting processes, policies and services that are aligned with the core values,
mission and vision of the company
• Laser focus on measurement and maximizing ROI
• Develop and implement a “best in class” talent pipeline strategy that ensures future talent needs are met
• Demonstrates a strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems. Ability to actively manage high-
pressure crisis situations with composure.
• Excel in Branding and Marketing using social media and other creative methods to attract passive candidates
• Focus on Global Talent Acquisition strategy
• Web Development and strong artistic visual and spatial skills
Professional Experience
Polycom Pleasanton, CA January 2011-Present
Senior Director of Global Talent Acquisition and OD
♦ Led all Talent Acquisition for APAC, EMEA, and the AMERICAS
♦ Team of 50+
♦ Created Global Internal Mobility Program and Global rotational programs
♦ Created Global Employee Referral Program
♦ Led University and Internship Program
♦ Revamped Global New Hire On-Boarding Process and New Hire Orientation
♦ Responsible for Affirmative Action, Immigration, Relocation, Applicant Tracking System
♦ Created a Global reporting and metrics system
♦ Significantly cut agency dependency in each Theater
♦ Created a Global Workforce Plan
♦ Led the design, development and launch of learning LMS and web portal with on-demand learning solutions and
development tools for all employees at all levels. Automated learning processes including educational assistance
program enterprise wide for easy access, influencing a culture of talent development.
♦ Partnered with internal communications and corporate marketing teams to create and launch new learning &
development branding as one of many enterprise wide initiatives to influence a culture of talent development.
♦ Subject matter expert in behavioral change initiative for corporate project appointed by Executive Vice President,
Human Resources for one of the organization’s major strategic initiatives.
♦ Implemented an integrated set of global initiatives linked to one or more change levers, including: leadership
commitment and modeling; education/development; recruiting and staffing; performance management;
rewards/recognition; enabling technology; organization design; and employee communication.
♦ Designed, developed and implemented competency model with team of experts inside and external to the
company to build organization capability.
♦ Developed and launched the first-ever skills and career development strategy. Helped reduce first year attrition
by 25% through demonstrating company commitment to professional development.
♦ Partnered with HRBPs and business leaders to create and implement targeted development plans for top talent.
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2. Genomic Health Redwood City, CA June 2007- November 2010
Director of World Wide Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning, and Affirmative Action
♦ Led the development of a practice-wide work force plan that identifies gaps and focuses on acquiring talent to
meet the current and future needs of the company
♦ Partnered with internal/external recruiting resources to leverage synergies and improved the company’s overall
efforts in attracting talent for key management positions.
♦ Developed M&A capability within HR to support inorganic growth activity. Led the International Expansion Team
and was responsible for the strategic workforce planning for our expansion, expatriate process, partnering with
outside counsel on immigration/work permits, compensation, benefits, sales incentive plans, hiring, on-boarding,
and recruitment
♦ Lead position for strategic development of a competency-based model for curriculum design, content creation and
delivery
♦ I've successfully led the full scale and enterprise wide integration of social media and mobile marketing within a
workforce strategy that included search engine marketing and optimization for Talent Attraction teams around the
globe.
♦ Managed the Internal Mobility Program
♦ Provided HR Business Support to selected client groups within the Company. Performed HR business partner
functions to drive organizational growth and effectiveness; worked with executive team to diagnose current, and
anticipate future, organizational challenges in line with Company business strategies
♦ Responsible for over a two million dollar Talent Acquisition budget
♦ Reduced Agency usage by 93%
♦ Reduced average time to fill by 43%
♦ Reduced cost per hire from 32K to 14K
♦ Created and maintained Employee Referral Program (48% of hires). Worked with advertising firm to create and
launch ERP campaigns and materials
♦ Managed all Immigration and Relocation Programs
♦ Developed Internship programs
♦ Selected, Implemented, and Maintained the Applicant Tracking System
♦ Created and Managed Affirmative Action Plan
♦ Partnered with outside counsel on all legal HR issues
♦ Created and facilitated Talent Acquisitions Training workshops (behavioral interviewing, effective interviewing,
social media networking, career planning, resume building for interns, and more.)
Kyphon/Medtronic Sunnyvale, CA March 2006- April 2007
Director of World Wide Talent Acquisition
♦ Lead the development of WW recruitment and hiring strategies and practices. Develop and implement specific
staffing plans and procedures to meet domestic Company hiring objectives, and provide strategic direction to
International locations in the development of staffing programs and best practices.
♦ Managed staffing efforts for all executive, exempt, non-exempt, temporary and contract hiring. Partner with
functional executives and their staffs to plan and meet recruiting and staffing needs.
♦ Developed a meaningful set of metrics to measure staffing effectiveness and cost efficiency. Lead continuous
improvement relative to metrics.
♦ Managed employee referral program, advertising media, job fairs, college recruitment, agencies, and relocation
program for new and existing employees.
♦ Negotiated and coordinated all recruiting contracts and agreements.
♦ Managed Kyphon's Diversity Program, including AA/EEO compliance reporting.
♦ Selected and implemented a new global applicant tracking system. Automated offer approval process, and
requisition approval process, Trained hiring managers, Finance team, HR team, and all staffing employees world
wide.
♦ Lead the development of expanded college recruiting and internship programs.
♦ Provided HR Business Support to selected client group(s) within the Company. As a strategic business partner,
performs HR generalist functions to drive organizational growth and effectiveness; works with senior management
to diagnose current, and anticipate future, organizational challenges in line with Company business strategies.
Emphasis for Business Partner role is to develop highly effective, self-reliant leaders within client group(s).
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3. ♦ Performed day-to-day advisory/counseling role to client groups, partnering with HR colleagues as appropriate, in
all areas of HR, including staffing, talent management, employee relations, compensation, training, development
and application of effective management practices.
Williams Lea San Francisco, CA May 2004 – February 2006
Western Region Senior Staffing Manager
♦ Managed Western Region staffing department
♦ Integrated Talent Acquisition /Change Management initiatives for major acquisition activities
♦ Initiated Regional Workforce Planning model
♦ Revamped and redesigned Ceridian applicant tracking system
♦ Created the Williams Lea Scorecard for national metrics reporting
♦ Reduced time to fill from 66 days to 24 days
♦ Managed college recruiting and job fair programs
♦ Reduced agency usage from $88,000 a month to less than $21,000 a month
♦ Created a full time floater pool to service clients’ day to day vacation and sick coverage
♦ Created new staffing manuals for recruiters and hiring managers
♦ Led National Staffing Meetings
♦ Partnered with the payroll and finance teams to streamline invoicing process for more efficient and
faster payment
♦ Responsible for staffing budget and forecasting
♦ Part of a nationwide re-branding team to increase market share
♦ Created a new employee referral bonus program
♦ Participated in strategic Global Staffing forums as national representatives
♦ Worked with Williams Lea immigration lawyers to promote Global transfers and promotions
♦ Led cross function team in providing HR practices, including employee relations, compensation and disability
MAXIM GROUP Alameda, California September 1998- January, 2000
Senior Recruiter - Information Technology Consulting
Promoted to senior recruiter from technical recruiter status
♦ Managed and trained new recruitment staff
♦ Increased consultant base by 38% and increased client base by over 20% through researching and strategically
cold calling potential clients
♦ Developed recruiting strategies and implemented developmental action plans
♦ Recruited top full-time and hourly IT consultants such as; architects, web developers, programmers, project
managers, tech-writers, and QA testers
♦ Provided recruiting support for MIS, marketing, Public Relations, Accounting/Finance, Legal, and HR
♦ Prepared and presented proposals at client sites
♦ Managed the hiring process including candidate sourcing, screening, scheduling, interviewing, reference checking,
tracking, salary negotiations, closing, and new hire follow-through
♦ Posted and maintained job opportunities on various web sites
♦ Consistently exceeded performance targets
♦ Responsible for the orientation and training of new recruiters
♦ Coordinated Job fair and college campus recruiting with firm's employment agencies, and advertising design firm
Clients included: Safeway, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chiron, Power Bar, AIG, Kaiser Permanente, Documentum,
Clorox, Roach, Long’s Drug, Sybase, and Charles Schwab
Independent Contractor Experience October 2000 – May 2004
Morgan Stanley/ Barra Berkeley, CA
Interim Director of Recruitment - Contract
Functioned as the Director of Recruitment for all MSCI Barra global staffing requirements
CITIZENS BANK Philadelphia, PA
Recruitment Manager/ HR Consultant - Contract
DOCUMENTUM/EMC Pleasanton, California
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4. Sr. Staffing Consultant- Contract
WELLS FARGO/BUSINESS INTERNET SERVICES San Francisco, CA
Sr. Staffing Consultant -Contract
Wells Fargo Bank/CIG San Francisco, CA
Sr. Staffing Consultant – Contract
TRADEWEAVE San Francisco, California
Manager of Recruitment - Contract
MODIS CONSULTING San Francisco, California
Manager of Recruitment - Contract
EDUCATION
The Ohio State University
BA in Communications
Concentration in Business/Organizational Development
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
SHRM
NCHRA
CLC
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