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Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics: Advize Career Interview
A fascinating career journey, beginning with a self-designed undergraduate program blending marketing, media, and international business, propelled a professional through impactful internships and leadership roles at Lululemon, Apple, and tech startups.
This path, marked by a year of travel and the Tillman Scholar program, culminated in current leadership at Pluralsight and Qualtrics as Head of Employer Brand + Belonging.
The role involves leading a team, crafting compelling employer branding campaigns across diverse platforms, and fostering a strong sense of belonging.
Success, the professional emphasizes, requires creativity, strong leadership, adaptability, proactive networking, and a willingness to "interrupt the flow" to advocate for innovative ideas, skills honed through impactful experiences like the Clinton Global Initiative.
This professional's journey underscores the value of internships, mentorship, and the importance of building relationships to achieve goals and shape future industry trends.
Entry-level roles such as social media specialist or marketing coordinator offer promising pathways into this dynamic and rewarding field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lauren Hodgson
Head of Employer Brand + Belonging
Qualtrics
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
n/a
Marketing
Technology
Human Resources (HR)
Scholarship Recipient
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Career Path of a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics
Lauren's career path originated from a fascination with "healthy company cultures," leading to a self-designed undergraduate program combining marketing, media, and international business, supplemented by impactful internships and extracurriculars like the Tillman Scholar program and cross-functional lab experiences. This foundation propelled a career trajectory through roles at Lululemon, Apple, and tech startups, punctuated by a year of travel, culminating in current leadership roles at Pluralsight and Qualtrics, focusing on employer branding and belonging.
Responsibilities of a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, leads a team managing "storytelling" and showcasing Qualtrics' culture to attract candidates, utilizing diverse channels like TikTok, Instagram, and email marketing, while also monitoring brand reputation on platforms such as Glassdoor and Blind; this reflects a career progression from recruiting and marketing to leading a full team focused on employer branding and employee advocacy to create a comprehensive picture of the "full life" at Qualtrics.
A Day In The Life Of A Head Of Employer Brand And Belonging At Qualtrics
A Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics spends their days coaching a team, collaborating on innovative projects like a potential employee podcast, and reviewing work; the role requires strategic alignment of engaging social media content with business priorities, as illustrated by a recent project to organize global social media content creation for over 20 countries.
Most Important Skills for a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, emphasizes a love for "people's stories" and creativity as crucial skills, adapting strategies to resonate with a diverse global workforce ranging from "senior leader roles to people who just came out of college." Leadership, she adds, involves recognizing and fostering the potential of others through strategic project assignments that benefit both individual growth and company success.
Favorite Parts of Being a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, most enjoys the "beautifully orchestrated campaign" aspect of marketing and the ability to positively "shift people's thought process" through impactful employer branding initiatives. The professional also finds immense satisfaction in team member growth and success, enabling them to achieve "amazing and cool things."
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics
Lauren's biggest challenge as Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics is balancing "moving fast and getting stuff done" with the collaborative process of gaining stakeholder buy-in for new initiatives. This requires thoughtful management of stakeholder relationships to ensure the best possible product while respecting the time constraints of busy colleagues.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Tech Industry As A Head Of Employer Brand And Belonging
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, thrives on the constant "innovation all day long" within the tech industry, finding immense satisfaction in leading "cutting edge" practices that influence other sectors and shape future trends as described in publications like the Harvard Business Review and Fortune. This passion for pioneering work fuels their career.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Tech, According To A Head Of Employer Brand At Qualtrics
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, highlights the need for adaptability and nimbleness in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of being "ready to pivot" based on data-driven decisions. Success also requires an entrepreneurial spirit, the ability to "go create" solutions even without prescribed formulas, showcasing a proactive and innovative approach to problem-solving.
What a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics wishes they had known before entering the Human Resources industry
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, learned that career success requires more than just excellent work; it necessitates strong internal networking to "interrupt the flow of things" and advocate for projects, creating space where none exists to ensure visibility and impact. The ability to influence and show value is crucial for achieving results.
Entry-Level Jobs for Aspiring Employer Branding Specialists at Qualtrics
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, suggests entry-level roles such as "social media specialist," "marketing coordinator," "recruiting coordinator," and "events specialist" as good pathways into the employer branding field. These roles offer valuable experience in understanding candidate needs, managing marketing channels, and directly interacting with potential employees, providing a strong foundation for a career in employer branding.
Significant Career Lesson From a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics
Lauren's significant career lesson centers on the importance of "managing stakeholder relationships" and understanding "what is it that they care most about," effectively positioning proposals to align with decision-makers' broader objectives; this requires strong business acumen and internal networking to connect the dots and show how individual contributions support the larger picture.
College Experiences That Helped a Head of Employer Brand and Belonging at Qualtrics Succeed
Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, identifies internships offering "real work" and mentorship as crucial for career success, alongside participation in university programs and social groups. These experiences provide "insider tips," networking opportunities, and develop skills essential for collaboration and internal navigation within organizations, ultimately shaping one's career trajectory.
How Identity Has Influenced A Head Of Employer Brand And Belonging's Career At Qualtrics
Early in their career, the Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics noticed instances where they weren't seen as equally capable as male peers, prompting a self-assessment resulting in the belief that "I am just as capable." This conviction fueled proactive actions, including confidently taking a seat at a predominantly male meeting table, illustrating how advocating for oneself, even in seemingly small ways, is crucial to achieving recognition and career advancement.
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